Weigh bridge blues

The weight plate is definitive. When you upgrade you get a new plate that replaces the old one. Some upgrades do not require any alteration as the original weights are actually a downgrade.

snap, PG

Thanks chaps. 

That's clear now 

Great minds BB,
If stopped by VOSA and weighed they will check the results against those on the VIN plate. If any plated weight is exceeded then an offence has been commited. This could result in you not being able to continue your journey and a fine.

Do you really need a trolley jack, a full tool kit and an electric drill? Oh, of course you do, you have a Land Rover. 

Yes.  But they are carried in the Land Rover so they are available at any time and not just when the "storage unit" is in tow!

Just to be clear, I am not advocating stuffing caravan to gills! The MTPLM is useful to judge what you're carrying and for towcar matching. 

However my gut feel is the MTPLM is lower than the actual weights the chassis can cope with. I suspect this is done to not deter caravan buyers and to stick within the 85% ratio generally recommended. 

There are various other discussions around this subject and people have found other weight limits stamped on axles and chassis. When I get the time I'll have a crawl under van to have a look! 

Without a weigh bridge visit I can't be 100% sure I'm within MTPLM, but based on old van weight and what was transferred I'm pretty sure I am. 

Just to be clear, I am not advocating stuffing caravan to gills! The MTPLM is useful to judge what you're carrying and for towcar matching. 

However my gut feel is the MTPLM is lower than the actual weights the chassis can cope with. I suspect this is done to not deter caravan buyers and to stick within the 85% ratio generally recommended. 

There are various other discussions around this subject and people have found other weight limits stamped on axles and chassis. When I get the time I'll have a crawl under van to have a look! 

Without a weigh bridge visit I can't be 100% sure I'm within MTPLM, but based on old van weight and what was transferred I'm pretty sure I am. 

Whether the MTPLM is lower than the chassis can take is immaterial. If the caravan weighs more than what is stated on the plate you are breaking the law. And personally, I wouldn't argue with VOSA! Drivers who have usually ended up in court. And that is not a good way to start or end a holiday.

 

Write your comments here...

The MPTLM may not be able to be upgraded. When we bought our current caravan I did ask if it could be increased as the car could cope. The salesman went away to check but was advised it was not possible as ours was at its limit.

Well, we have got there but we had to empty out practically everything in the van, just as well we have an MPV with lots of room. I suspect from this experience that most caravans  are being towed around totally over their MTPLM limit and I am really glad that we took the van to the weighbridge now.  One thought I did have was with all the motorhomes we have had in the past I wonder how many of those were overweight when we were travelling.

People may say that I'm sad but I know the weight of everything in my caravan to within a few kg for the total contents weight. The empty caravan straight from the dealer was checked on a weigh bridge and was actually about 12kg less than the plated MiRO figure. I've created an  xl spread sheet with all the weights on which is self totalling. Things like clothes and food are an average as they will be different each time but still much the same each time. All the miscellaneous bits and bobs were a reasonable estimate.  If anything significant is changed then the weight is amended on the spreadsheet. It's called having peace of mind.