Itsy bitsy teenie weenie payloads

Wildax Elara PVC @ 3.5T

Notes:

a. The quoted payload is 330kg but Wildax sells it with a second hab battery as standard so that reduces the payload to 305kg.

b. If you then add the options list (awnings, solar, alloy wheel upgrades etc), then the payload reduces to circa 150kg - 170kg.

c. MIRO is calculated with empty tanks.
 
Adria Motorhomes @ 3.5T:

This was a shocker.

Foreword: If my analysis of the technical data is correct then the first three vans in the Adria A-class range plus the entire range of coachbuilts are really quite poor in terms of the 'berth-to-payload' ratios:

Sonic A-Class:

1. 710DC: (4-belts/4-berth) 273kg (104kg).
2. 710SC: (4/4) 263kg (94kg).
3. 710SL: (4/4) 263kg (94kg).

Matrix Plus Coachbuilt:

3. 670DC (4/4) 438kg (269kg).
4. 670SC (5/5) 405kg (236kg).
5. 670SL (5/5) 456kg (287kg).
6. 670SLT (5/5) 427kg (258kg).

Matrix Supreme Coachbuilt:

7. 670DC (4/4) 451kg (282kg).
8. 670SC (5/5) 418kg (248kg).
9. 670SL (5/5) 469kg (300kg).
10. 670SLT (5/5) 440kg (271kg).

Coral Plus:

11. 670DC (4/3) 436kg (267kg).
12. 670DL (4/3) 437kg (268kg).
13. 670SC (5/3) 406kg (237kg).
14. 670SL (5/3) 426kg (257kg).
15. 670SLT (5/3) 439kg (270kg).

Coral 'UK Edition':

16. 670SC (5/3) 385kg (338kg).
17. 670SL (5/3) 405kg (358kg).

Coral XL:

18. 670DK (7/7) 566kg (396kg).
19. 670SP (5/6) 428kg (259kg).

Notes:

a. All payloads are based on a 20-litre MIRO figure and a 130bhp manual engine.
b. All payloads exclude the Adria Luxury Pack, plus the following optional items: 150bhp engine upgrade, Auto box and the 140w solar unit. (Total = 169kg).
c. With the exception of serials 16 & 17 above (UK Edition vans), the payload figures in brackets include the Luxury pack, engine and gearbox upgrade and the 140w solar panel.
d. The UK Edition vans (ser-16 & 17 refer), include the upgraded wheels, awnings, etc, in the first payload figure but the payload figure in brackets adds the engine, auto box and solar panel @ 47kg.
e. All nineteen van entries above are published by Adria as being fully 3.5T compliant!!
 
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Sunliving Motorhomes @ 3.5T:

Note the 'berth-to-payload' ratios:

1. A-Series A70DK (7-belts, 7-berths) 593kg (378kg).

2. A-Series A75DP (6-belts, 6-berths) 565kg (350kg).

Notes:

a. 'A-Series' refers to the overcab coachbuilt series and not a typical A-class design.

b. 20 litres of water is included and a 130bhp manual engine.

c. Sunliving provide some very basic specs for their vans and almost everything you would want from a normal spec'd van is extra cost and extra weight (according to their published spec and tech brochures).

d. The payload figure does not include: engine and auto upgrade, aux battery, spare wheel and carrier, towbar, alloys, captain's chair upgrades, Remis blinds, solar unit, awning, oven and grill, flyscreen, reverse camera and the radio and loud speakers unless spec'd as an option, not to mention dozens of other smaller items from the manufacturers brochure.

e. The second payload figure (in brackets), refers to a van equipped with the following items: 150bhp engine, Auto box, battery, solar, awning, oven, spare wheel and carrier, alloys and Remis blinds and a few other small things from the Fiat cab list (Total = c.215kg).
 
Laika Motorhomes @ 3.5T

Kreos Range:

1. 5009: 230kg. (130kg) (*60kg)
2. 5010: 250kg. (150kg)
3. 4010: 341kg. (241kg).
4. 4009: 349kg. (249kg)
5. 4012: 350kg. (250kg).
6. 3009S: 407kg. (307kg).
7. 3008: 452kg. (325kg).

Ecovip Range:

8. 412: 417kg. (minus 100kg for each van).
9. 609: 441kg.
10. 709: 370kg.
11. 612: 422kg.
12. 712: 357kg.
13. 690: 434kg.
14. 680: 410kg.

Kosmo Range:

15. 909: 440kg.
16. 912: 455kg.

Notes:

a. All payloads are calculated with 20-litres of water; a 75kg driver and a 3.5T Fiat Light 35 Chassis as standard spec across the range.

b. Laika does not publish its main catalogues so the bracketed payload figure adds a 150bhp and auto box upgrade, a 4-meter awning, single solar panel and 16kg of options.

c. Extra beds and electrification of beds adds circa 30kg to 40kg respectively.

d. All vans have 4-belted seats and a standard 2-berth sleeping configuration albeit this can be extended to 4 and 5-berths in most cases.

e. * refers to the addition of a third bed plus an electrically operated main bed where the design allows.
 
Average weight . for a guy is 83kg, 70kg for the ladies

So trying to work out what a real world payload requirement per person per weekend might be

Such as guys 1 pair shoes, 1x toothbrush, 2 x shorts 2 x shirts 1 x coat, 4 beers
ladies 8 pairs shoes, 4kg cosmetics etc . Joking, we need a serious list

Can we work on what the essential list is and then what it weighs?

Then we need kitchen essentials what they weigh ect.

We need to come up with the bare minimum weight required for a couple to enjoy a weekend away

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Can I have some help here to build a list of absolute essentials so we can arrive at a real-world payload requirement?

Passenger Essentials. Towel, shoes etc

Kitchen Essentials, cutlery crockery

Van essentials toolkit, gas bottle etc.

I can make a list up but if the list is made by the community it gives it validity.. cheers.
 
We are still relatively new to motorhoming but are on our second MH. At the point of sale for both there was never any discussion/information about payloads, and neither did I give it any thought. lf I had read more about payloads earlier it may have influenced our purchases. Luckily we are happy with our current allowance but it could have been so different.
 
My wife and I weighed all the bags, clothes, computers and fresh food we were taking with us for a 1 week winter outing, it came to 92 Kg (trip load). We also weighed the motorhome with and without the stuff we always carry, including non perishable food, this came to 360 Kg (base load). I reckon I could reduce the base load by 100 Kg or more if I really had to. The motorhome is 7 metres long with a large garage, was full of fuel but no water. People weights were excluded. Payload = 452 Kg + people + water.
 
Can't really give weights for all our stuff but I always reckon for 2 you need at least 700 kg, 200 kg for options an extras (maybe not so much on a Brit van) & 500 kg for stuff which works out about right for us.
We always travel with a full water tank 160 kg, 2 x extra leisure batteries 50kg.
The two of us weigh around 120 kg,

Most of the bits that we carry in the garage:-

2 x e-bikes 48 kg + chargers at 2 kg.
Bike helmets 1 kg
Day tent 24 kg (only used at festivals but leave it in the van)
Washing machine 13 kg
Spare wheel 30 kg
Spare cassette 4kg (guess)
Tables & chairs 10 kg
Tools & spares 10 - 15 kg
Mains leads 6 kg
Ladder 9 kg
Ramps 3kg
Bread crate bases 1½ kg
Walking boots 3 kg
Walking sticks 1kg
Single gas stove & similar BBQ approx 3 kg
Collection of hoses 2 kg

With other junk in the garage we carry about 130 to 135 kg in the garage, well within the 350 kg limit and still have 400 kg spare on the rear axle.

A point worth noting when loading a garage or buying a van for that matter is the position of the water tank. Our last van the tank was behind the rear axle so we were always on the limit on the rear axle.
Didn't help me carrying 2 x 20 Lt containers of water in the garage as the van only had a small 100 Lt tank.:)

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A few years ago my caravan was written off when the car towbar weld failed !!!! I emptied the poor caravan and in order to prove it was not overloaded I weighed the contents. I can give some weights applicable to MOHO’s
110amp battery. 26kgs
Fire extinguisher 2 Kgs
Kitchen equipment, odds and sods. 17.5kgs
Plates and glasses. 6kgs
2 outside chairs 4kgs
Outside groundsheet. 2kgs
Water hose. 2kgs
Toolbox. 3kgs
Food and Household. 20kgs
Clothes for 2. 30 kgs

The clothes total was for a 2 week trip but is consistent with airline baggage allowances. I recently did a 5 week trip to South Africa and Australia with a 15kg baggage allowance on 1 sector so it can be done!!
Other MOHO contents would be computers and cameras which I carried in a backpack and weighed about 7kgs
My MOHO is a 5,4 metre Vantage Med and I estimate I have added about 10 kgs of fettling upgrades above the standard specification. Also added were awning, towbar and BBQ point.
Weigh bridge measured at 3120 kgs ready for trip with full fuel, gas and fresh water tanks plus one standard bike and rack. No driver or passenger numbers in the above figure.

Jim, I hope this helps for the ‘smaller’’ vans.
 
Wanted to look in a van on Saturday at the Peterborough Show. But the entrance to the van was barred by a luxury red rope that would be more at home at a sleezy nightclub entrance. ( I know all about those) Eventually got a "salesman's eye and in sympathy with the rope he looked just like a nightclub bouncer and spoke like one. Here is how part of the conversation went.

Me: This is a lot of van on a little chassis, what is the payload.
Bouncer: Depends really mate
Me: Depends on what?
Bouncer: Did you pass your test before 1997 if you did you'll be OK
Me: No sorry, what is the payload? How much stuff can I carry
Bouncer: With your licence sir you can carry what you like really
Me: The difference between this van empty and the max weight it can carry is the payload.
Bouncer: Oh I know, let me check, [looks at paperwork] yes you can carry 5000kgs.
Me: Ok thanks mate.​

I suppose if punters ever asked about payload, the dealers would ensure their sales staff understood it. But as 99% of buyers know nothing about it, I suppose ignorance is bliss for both buyer and seller. :doh:
 
Jim said:
Wanted to look in a van on Saturday at the Peterborough Show. But the entrance to the van was barred by a luxury red rope that would be more at home at a sleezy nightclub entrance. ( I know all about those) Eventually got a "salesman's eye and in sympathy with the rope he looked just like a nightclub bouncer and spoke like one. Here is how part of the conversation went.

Me: This is a lot of van on a little chassis, what is the payload.
Bouncer: Depends really mate
Me: Depends on what?
Bouncer: Did you pass your test before 1997 if you did you'll be OK
Me: No sorry, what is the payload? How much stuff can I carry
Bouncer: With your licence sir you can carry what you like really
Me: The difference between this van empty and the max weight it can carry is the payload.
Bouncer: Oh I know, let me check, [looks at paperwork] yes you can carry 5000kgs.
Me: Ok thanks mate.​

I suppose if punters ever asked about payload, the dealers would ensure their sales staff understood it. But as 99% of buyers know nothing about it, I suppose ignorance is bliss for both buyer and seller. :doh:
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That must have been a hell of a big RV.:ROFLMAO:

Should be a criminal offense for salesmen to give miss information on payload.

Hang on I missed the point aren't most salesmen criminals anyway.:)
 
We were completely ignorant when we bought our first van and ended up with an Autosleeper symbol , quite old, hadnt planned on a PVC , just wanted a smallish van but this seemed the only way to get a bed bigger than 4ft wide. In our price range anyway. Just as well really. We have a lovely long drive, loads of room to park an A class, unfortunately we hadn't considered the entrance! Had we arrived home with anything other than a PVC or a very narrow van we could not have got it through the gate.

I suppose that's what saleman rely on, ignorance, and then driving illegally and unsafely, frightening. Thank goodness we found MHF when we were in trouble in France in thar same van in 2012. Can't remember who came to the rescue with some helpful advice but the help has kept on coming ever since, and the fun.
 
wasnt it eddievanbitz who needed two tea chests for the shoes for six people? we carry
crocks
walking boots
wellies
trainers
smart shoes
so thats ten pairs for two people and she has slippers as well
we think thats the bare minimum for footwear when touring

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mitzimad said:
wasnt it eddievanbitz who needed two tea chests for the shoes for six people? we carry
crocks
walking boots
wellies
trainers
smart shoes
so thats ten pairs for two people and she has slippers as well
we think thats the bare minimum for footwear when touring
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Don't do wellies & smart shoes but we still carry about 10 pairs each. :D
 
Lenny HB said:
Don't do wellies & smart shoes but we still carry about 10 pairs each. :D
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We had someone who worked for us who had a shoes suitcase when she went on holiday about 2 pairs for every day away her husband said he hadn't realised he was marrying a centipede!!!!
 
My just acquired RS Elysian has capacity for around 1750 to2000kg with water tanks and diesel half full - checked at the weigh bridge when submitted for Type Approval so plenty of capacity
 
Maybe there should also be a list of the best vans under 3500 with a reasonable payload for people worried about future medicals/taking an extra test in effect a list to avoid and one to look at
 
The Wino said:
Maybe there should also be a list of the best vans under 3500 with a reasonable payload for people worried about future medicals/taking an extra test in effect a list to avoid and one to look at
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I have ordered a Carthago C-compactline i 143 at 3500 (6.9 metre A Class). It starts out with a running order weight of 2895 leaving a payload of 605. With my factory extras the payload is down to 501. I am having it weighed on arrival at the dealers and will let you know how close it is to the advertised unladen weight of 2710.

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Ours is a Chausson Flash 10 weighed last week 3205kg 3/4 fuel full (130 litres) water all holiday clothes/food etc fitted awning and bike rack (but no bikes on) both of us and a 34kg dog!!. If theres a list of good payload 3500kg vans it will need to be new and used not everyone downsizing/worried about medicals etc will be buying new.
 
You wanted “essential” requirements. Here’s mine.

12kg spare tyre
4kg ramps
4kg fresh and waste water carriers (or hoses and adapters)
9kg toolbox
1kg window vac
3kg bucket and external cleaning stuff
4kg awning handle, stiffener, pegs and mallet
9kg EHU leads
5kg toilet chemicals
3kg torch, warning triangle, yellow vests, extinguisher
9kg carpets
10kg first aid, medicine, toiletries etc
9kg bedding (for two, more for 4)
3kg washing materials and towels
3kg minimal books and maps etc
1kg dashcam, tyre sensors, alarms
4kg manuals for vehicle and fittings!
1kg step to reach cupboards

That’s 94kg, before essential food, water, clothes, shoes, cooking/eating/drinking utensils etc.

And for this exercise I’m considering everything else as non-essential. Tables, chairs, BBQ, cameras, tablets, cables, mats, and all the other junk which makes a trip enjoyable rather than endurable.
 
Pausim said:
I have ordered a Carthago C-compactline i 143 at 3500 (6.9 metre A Class). It starts out with a running order weight of 2895 leaving a payload of 605. With my factory extras the payload is down to 501. I am having it weighed on arrival at the dealers and will let you know how close it is to the advertised unladen weight of 2710.
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My guess 130 kg over.
 
The Wino said:
Maybe there should also be a list of the best vans under 3500 with a reasonable payload for people worried about future medicals/taking an extra test in effect a list to avoid and one to look at
Click to expand...
No disrespect to any type of suggestions by any funster but that is one of the most sensible I have seen, Thank you.

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Pausim said:
You could well be right, 5% over. I will let you know.
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From everyone I know with a Carthago they have been 130kg over.
Shouldn't need to weigh it the Technical MIRO on the C of C should give the weight with factory fitted extras.
 
Lenny HB said:
From everyone I know with a Carthago they have been 130kg over.
Shouldn't need to weigh it the Technical MIRO on the C of C should give the weight with factory fitted extras.
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Do they weigh the specified vehicle for the Technical MIRO? I thought this was another calculation based on their standard weights and subject to a 5% tolerance. I would be happy to be wrong, it would easier if I was.
 
From what I have seen it appears to the actual weight. On my mates last Carthago if you added up the weight of the extras + MIRO the figure given it was 130kg above specified weights.
Likewise my last Hymer came out 30kg under current one 16kg over.

Will be interesting to see the results when you weigh it
 
Yes weighing it will be interesting, or perhaps alarming.

On my current Hymer the difference between the 3015 mass and 3281 technical mass ties in with the 266 weight of extras, as listed in the brochure.

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