- Sep 29, 2019
- 3,375
- 7,797
- Funster No
- 64,846
- MH
- Hymer Exsis
- Exp
- 20 years
When we got the Motorhome, first thing I did was weigh it. It’s a Hymer Exsis I 678 and had a huge payload relatively.
When we got it 4 years ago, the kids were small and we used campsites as we had moved from caravanning.
Fast forward a few years to now.
We know we like moving around and don’t use campsites. We therefore usually travel with full water. The kids are now as big as we are and we have another 30KG dog.
I weighed it again last year, it was full to the brim of everything except shopping, Lucy and the kids. It was 3460KG. This meant travelling with no water or dumping some kit. Out came the paddle boards and climbing gear. I considered dumping Lucy and the kids but apparently that wasn’t an option.
I would always stress when shopping about how much we were buying and staying off grid was impossible unless we travelled over weight. We also couldn’t take the paddle boards or climbing gear, or even chairs.
I had contemplated taking the awning off, but we do use it occasionally and it wouldn’t help much.
The reason we haven’t uprated before is Lucy doesn’t have C1 where I do as I have taken the test for work.
I added everything up when we went to France Easter and had to finally admit defeat. We either have a solo driver and uprate or accept we are illegal and risk a fine. I don’t risk fines, so……..
Contacted Dee at Van Weight Engineering, sent all the details off. They confirmed I could go to 3850KG with a paper exercise only. I know I have to watch the axle weights as I only had another 100kg on the rear axle. That’s fine though as we all sit right at the front.
Paid the fee, couple of days later all documents arrived with guidance how to sort it. Will be going to Post Office tomorrow to send the pack off and the plate is on the way. To reverse the process if we sell, is easy as well.
Tax is bizarrely cheaper.
We are covered for breakdown with the Nationwide Flex plus, LEZ might be an issue but we don’t tend to enter them. Same with toll roads in France.
Lucy not being able to drive is a pain, but then she couldn’t tow the caravan either and we managed. If it gets a real pain, she can do the test too.
The whole process has been very easy so far and I will recoup the cost in 3 years with the cheaper tax. For anyone thinking of doing it, VWE were very quick and helpful.
Just need the DVLA to sort the bits now.
Bearing in mind it had a 620KG payload when manufactured, you can see how ridiculous a 300KG payload is for a four berth motorhome. The 970KG we now have should be enough.
When we got it 4 years ago, the kids were small and we used campsites as we had moved from caravanning.
Fast forward a few years to now.
We know we like moving around and don’t use campsites. We therefore usually travel with full water. The kids are now as big as we are and we have another 30KG dog.
I weighed it again last year, it was full to the brim of everything except shopping, Lucy and the kids. It was 3460KG. This meant travelling with no water or dumping some kit. Out came the paddle boards and climbing gear. I considered dumping Lucy and the kids but apparently that wasn’t an option.
I would always stress when shopping about how much we were buying and staying off grid was impossible unless we travelled over weight. We also couldn’t take the paddle boards or climbing gear, or even chairs.
I had contemplated taking the awning off, but we do use it occasionally and it wouldn’t help much.
The reason we haven’t uprated before is Lucy doesn’t have C1 where I do as I have taken the test for work.
I added everything up when we went to France Easter and had to finally admit defeat. We either have a solo driver and uprate or accept we are illegal and risk a fine. I don’t risk fines, so……..
Contacted Dee at Van Weight Engineering, sent all the details off. They confirmed I could go to 3850KG with a paper exercise only. I know I have to watch the axle weights as I only had another 100kg on the rear axle. That’s fine though as we all sit right at the front.
Paid the fee, couple of days later all documents arrived with guidance how to sort it. Will be going to Post Office tomorrow to send the pack off and the plate is on the way. To reverse the process if we sell, is easy as well.
Tax is bizarrely cheaper.
We are covered for breakdown with the Nationwide Flex plus, LEZ might be an issue but we don’t tend to enter them. Same with toll roads in France.
Lucy not being able to drive is a pain, but then she couldn’t tow the caravan either and we managed. If it gets a real pain, she can do the test too.
The whole process has been very easy so far and I will recoup the cost in 3 years with the cheaper tax. For anyone thinking of doing it, VWE were very quick and helpful.
Just need the DVLA to sort the bits now.
Bearing in mind it had a 620KG payload when manufactured, you can see how ridiculous a 300KG payload is for a four berth motorhome. The 970KG we now have should be enough.
