Itsy bitsy teenie weenie payloads

[Blue Knight]

Lunar Coachbuilts @ 3.5T:

1. Cassini TI and EB models: 206kg.

2. Roadstar TI and EB models: 206kg.

Notes:

a. Drained water tanks.
b. Can be upgraded to 3,800kg.
c. Figures do not include awnings, solar, TV etc

 

[Blue Knight]

Mobilvetta K-Silver Series @ 3.5T:

1. I56: 340kg.

2. I59: 340kg.

Notes: No water, no extra kit, solar, TV, Awning etc.

 

[Blue Knight]

Autotrail Imala Range @ 3.5T:

1. 715: 376kg.

2. 730: 334kg.

3. 732: 314kg.

4. 734: 324kg.

Notes: No extra gear, no water etc but does include a standard 100W solar panel and the standard media pack in these figures.

 

[Blue Knight]

Autotrail Tribute Range (All 4-berth, 4-belts @ 3.5T:

1. 736: 360kg.

2. 720: 375kg.

Notes:

1. Water tanks drained.
2. No awnings, solar etc.
3. Figures do include the Lux and Drivers packs which are sold with the van as a standard sales incentive.

 

[MR. FUSION]

This thread has reminded me to weigh my moho with everything in, found a weighbridge just up the road too

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[Blue Knight]

This was a surprise:

Swift Bessacarr 'Lounge' Variants @ 3.5T:

1. 574: 284/267/268/251kg.

2. 584: 313/296/297/280kg.

3. 597: 228/211/212/195kg.

4. 599: 248/231/232/215kg.

Notes:

a. The 4 x payload figures are for the following engine variations: 130bhp manual; 130bhp auto; 150bhp manual; 150bhp auto.

b. All water tanks drained.

c. All four models have 4-berth and 4-belts.

d. Figures do not include extra hab gear etc.

 

[Blue Knight]

Burstner Ixeo Range @ 3.5T:

1. I690G: 260kg. (4/4).

2. I700: 260kg (4/4).

3. I720: 180kg (3/4).

4. I727G: Not quoted by manufacturer.

5. I728G: 165kg (3/4).

6. I729: 170kg (3/4).

7. I736: 190kg (3/4).

8. I744: 170kg (3/4).

9. I746: Not quoted by the manufacturer.

Notes:

a. All vans can be registered at 3.85T.

b. The bracketed figures are (belts/berths).

c. All figures include 20-litres of water.

d. The options list can soon push every Burstner van to the 3.5T mark before the addition of any passengers, water or personal items.

 

[Blue Knight]

........so can we safely say that 3.5T is a bit of a dodgy weight for most 7+ meter vans

 

[nicholsong]

Jim

I think you have started a most interesting thread, which has demonstrated how many MH models are short on payload, especially if being marketed as 3.5t max weight.

I am sure Jim has a reason for accumulating the info., which may be revealed in due course.

I believe that many of these payloads are in breach of Trade Descriptions legislation and/or fitness for purpose.

For example, a MH being marketed at 3.5t gross weight as a four seat/berth, especially if it is sitting on the Dealer's forecourt with 200kg of extras already fitted, e.g. heavier engine, awning, extra battery etc.

At the minimum they should be required under advertising rules to state the limitations on use, e.g. 'Only sutable for 4 adults if uprated to 3850kg and driven by a driver with C1 Licence'

At least threads like this might educate the innocent, but maybe not, if they have not rea them before buying already been induced - and then run over-weight. I doubt whether the MH magazines publish articles based on this info.

Geoff

 

[Jim]

I am sure Jim has a reason for accumulating the info., which may be revealed in due course.

At least threads like this might educate the innocent, but maybe not, if they have not rea them before buying already been induced - and then run over-weight. I doubt whether the MH magazines publish articles based on this info.

It's for a future article in our new magazine to make people more aware of the issue when buying

We'll need to check and double check those weights though before we publish.

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[lunarman]

@Jim its not just total weight you should consider for your article

Another thing to consider is axle loading. The addition of a tow bar may add considerably to the back axle. Some of the fittings may weigh well in excess of 50kg with the full width bars.

This will add over 70kg to the axle loading because of the lever effect, add a bike rack and a couple of electric bikes and you've put maybe 150kg on the axle for 100kg added to the total weight.

 

[Lenny HB]

Following on from @lunarman comments on rear axle loads another thing to consider it water tank position. If it's behind the rear axle which is not uncommon it can significantly increase the rear axle loading when full.
IMO if you can't run with a full tank not much point in having a Motorhome.

 

[Nirvanauk]

IMO if you can't run with a full tank not much point in having a Motorhome.

I run with an empty tank due to payload issues. I just put water in when I arrive on site. Don't see a problem with that.

 

[Blue Knight]

We'll need to check and double check those weights though before we publish.

Jim, I used all of the current PDF and spec sheets as disseminated by each of the manufacturers mentioned in my posts.

It took me a few hours but you too will be able to pull off the same stuff via each of the converters web pages.

Happy researching

 

[Blue Knight]

I run with an empty tank due to payload issues. I just put water in when I arrive on site. Don't see a problem with that.

Sadly I couldn't find a list of the IH vans. The IH web pages do not give any exact figures of payload or weights which leads me to think that they are quite heavy vans.

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[Lenny HB]

I run with an empty tank due to payload issues. I just put water in when I arrive on site. Don't see a problem with that.

My recent trip down to Spain of 9 Aires we stopped at on the way down and back only 2 had water turned on. With my 160 Lt tank full at the start of each leg it meant we could still have our morning shower.
I would have got a bit smelly in your van.
We always travel a full tank as you never know when you are next going to be able to fill up.

 

[Nirvanauk]

My recent trip down to Spain of 9 Aires we stopped at on the way down and back only 2 had water turned on. With my 160 Lt tank full at the start of each leg it meant we could still have our morning shower.
I would have got a bit smelly in your van.
Always travel a full tank as you never know when you are next going to be able to fill up.

I don't stop on an Aires.

 

[MikeD]

Sadly I couldn't find a list of the IH vans. The IH web pages do not give any exact figures of payload or weights which leads me to think that they are quite heavy vans.

I weighed our IH RL when new - bits and bobs, bit of water, solar panel + air assist suspension.

Weighed almost dead on 3 tons for a 3.5 ton PVC.

So not so heavy for the quality of the build.

 

[mitzimad]

I run with an empty tank due to payload issues. I just put water in when I arrive on site. Don't see a problem with that.

Not a problem if there's water at the place your heading but defeats the object of having a motor home so your not tied to sites

 

[Nirvanauk]

I weighed our IH RL when new - bits and bobs, bit of water, solar panel + air assist suspension.

Weighed almost dead on 3 tons for a 3.5 ton PVC.

So not so heavy for the quality of the build.

Had my IH RL on a weigh bridge, full of fuel, no water, no dog, no bikes, no food or clothes came out at 3.4T so not too much spare

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[Lenny HB]

I don't stop on an Aires.

I hardly ever use sites but if I did it wouldn't make any difference as none are open in France or Northern Spain at that time of year.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Had my IH RL on a weigh bridge, full of fuel, no water, no dog, no bikes, no food or clothes came out at 3.4T so not too much spare

It did include the 2 of us though

 

[Lenny HB]

Had my IH RL on a weigh bridge, full of fuel, no water, no dog, no bikes, no food or clothes came out at 3.4T so not too much spare

So even without water if your van is 3.5t you will be overweight.

 

[Nirvanauk]

So even without water if your van is 3.5t you will be overweight.

Borderline so the missus may have to walk. It was posted on here earlier that after a VOSA check that 80% of MHs are over weight.

 

[MikeD]

Had my IH RL on a weigh bridge, full of fuel, no water, no dog, no bikes, no food or clothes came out at 3.4T so not too much spare

Blimey that's a bit of a spread of weight for the same build. A bit more than 5%

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[Nirvanauk]

Blimey that's a bit of a spread of weight for the same build. A bit more than 5%

It is the 630 but I don't know if that makes a difference?

 

[thebriars]

Benimar Mileo 2 Range @ 3.5T:

1. 264: 280kg.

2. 282: 280kg.

3. 295: 260kg

......and then the weights for the awnings, solar etc need to be removed from the above figures.

Solar panels are fitted as standard on the Benimar 2, 3 and 4 series, therefore included in the unladen weight.

 

[MikeD]

It is the 630 but I don't know if that makes a difference?

No - same as mine.

We didn't have any people in the van but 400kg is a hell of a difference.

Most people are rated at 75kg average so your van is 250 kg different to mine.

 

[Nirvanauk]

No - same as mine.

We didn't have any people in the van but 400kg is a hell of a difference.

Most people are rated at 75kg average so your van is 250 kg different to mine.

It has an awning, solar panels, tow bracket and tow bar, that's about it.

 

[nicholsong]

I run with an empty tank due to payload issues. I just put water in when I arrive on site. Don't see a problem with that.

There is a problem if you like wildcamping orAires/Stellplatz with no facilities, which is why we have a MH.

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