How to know if downplating is possible before purchase?!

[JadeCM]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy my first motorhome and have my heart set on a Rapido, in particular tan 891M.
I initially started off with something much smaller, however I will be living in this full time and after viewing various hymers and rapidos, I think the extra space will be needed.
I’ll happily do my license, but I want the van to be drivable on a car license, mainly so I can share the drives when out with my friends and family!
My issue is I need to know the motorhome can be downplated before I buy it. Have spoken to SVTech, they’ve said if an empty van has a weighbridge ticket of 3100kg or less, that it’s definitely doable.
I saw a perfect van for me yesterday and enquired to the dealer if it could be weighed (I’d cover all costs) but they said no
Has anyone had experience of getting a weighbridge ticket prior to purchase, or got any other ideas how I can get round this?

Anyone know the rough weight of an empty 2013 Rapido 891M or 2008 987M haha?!

Thanks
Jade.

 

[JadeCM]

In the above post you said,

"Thanks for the info, the model I would be looking at that is newer is the 2013 983M if I can actually find one.
The unladen weight on that one is 3105kg,"

I have highlighted something that rings an alarm bell.

I appreciate that I am seemingly a 'Gloom and Doom' merchant.
All I am doing is attempting to prevent you making a faux pas that,
over the years, me and other Funsters have read has occurred to
peeps in exactly your position.

I know I'm nit picking but you used the phrase 'Unladen weight'
The 'Unladen Weigh't of van is the weight of the van as it rolled off
the assembly line as a standard build without any of the so called
'Bells and Whistles' ie a 2nd battery, a solar panel, an awning. It
could be anything.

It doesn't include the driver (or 75kgs) It doesn't include the 90%
of a full fuel tank. It doesn't include any water in that tank.
It doesn't include the gas bottle.

The last paragraph is included in the Mass in Running Order or
MIRO. That and the Unladen Weight can be therefore seen as two totally
different things.

The only thing that relates (as far as I know) with regard to Unladen Weight
is that, if a motorhome weighs less than 3.05 tonnes unladen weight, 9and who
knows what that is as soon as anything is screwed, bolted, put on or in the
van,) then it does not have limitations as to speed limits when in use.

Edit.
As usual Lenny HB beat me to it.

I understand about any extras- that’s why I need to get a weighbridge ticket for anything should I want to consider downplating. SVTech won’t even take a quoted figure anyway, which makes sense.

I am going to ask the couple about the van I saw yesterday, if they have any historic weighbridge tickets of the van empty to see what it was coming out at for interest. They are legal at 3500kg fully loaded up so it’s doable.

 

[Langtoftlad]

If you start next week - how long will it take to get your C1?
I only ask because after years of inflated prices and lack of stock, it's my perception that pressure on prices is downward.
So although you think you've already seen the perfect van, the reality is that another one will come along shortly.
I certainly wouldn't buy any van from the dealer who refused to countenance getting your one weighed.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks,
The unladen weight I quoted there is from the Rapido brochure and states it includes the person, water etc. so it is the MIRO value you’re talking about.

Yes that is right.

 

[Lenny HB]

Another bit of doom & gloom manufacturers have a 5% tolerance on weight and most use so they can quote higher payloads.
Any brochure weight give can be over by over a 100kg.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtwin]

Hey, thanks for the explanation. Makes sense.
I’m just going on what the brochure states, providing I am understanding it correctly- it may be that I’m not! This is all new to me afterall.



View attachment 868096

My only caution with the evidence that you have presented is, does it/did it apply at the time your vehicle was in production? Or is that their current position noting recent changes to the law wrt weights?

Ian

 

[dunnah01]

Hey, thanks for the explanation. Makes sense.
I’m just going on what the brochure states, providing I am understanding it correctly- it may be that I’m not! This is all new to me afterall.



View attachment 868096

The 'Unladen Weight' quoted in the brochure is probably a slightly slack translation of the French 'Empty Weight' or Poide a Vide which us pretty close to the UK Mass in Running Order MIRO as it includes the real world weight with essentials; driver, fuel, fluids and gas stuff etc. I wish the UK could be as up-front as the French about the real world weights

 

[JadeCM]

If you start next week - how long will it take to get your C1?
I only ask because after years of inflated prices and lack of stock, it's my perception that pressure on prices is downward.
So although you think you've already seen the perfect van, the reality is that another one will come along shortly.
I certainly wouldn't buy any van from the dealer who refused to countenance getting your one weighed.

Well I’ve booked my medical, next week. Then I can get my provisional and will immediately book theory. Then it’s a case of a few lessons (I hope, I’m a competent and confident driver and full motorbike license holder, so hope this won’t be too much trouble) before booking test.
I’m aiming for April to be done and dusted, I got to Thailand for a few weeks in the interim too haha. So yeah, there’s no rush in finding a MH, I’m not giving up my apartment until I have one all sorted- just gonna store it at a secure undercover place I’ve found nearby.
This also means though if I find the perfect one and need to pounce, I will do- will find someone who can collect it for me and then put it in storage until I can drive it.

 

[Nanniemate]

I'd suggest getting down to your local lgv training school and have an assessment drive .they used to be free but most charge now . but at least you have the feel of a larger vehicle. 3 to 5 days is an average pass once you have completed the theory

If your investing in a new van you will be driving it off the forecourt

Maybe hire one first so you get a better understanding and if you do knock it .it's not your problem

 

[Howard B]

Sorry but I think 3500 in a coachbuilt is just not possible. We’ve just spent five months in Spain in our pvc and went over the weighbridge @3754kg (we’re plated @4250kgs). Payload, payload, payload and plenty of it

Our Burstner Travel van came in under that last time I put it on the weighbridge. Full fuel, Water & loaded with everything we normally take on a 4 week trip including two electric bikes.
Mind you if I loaded up with cheap spanish beer Id probably be over.