Loading The Motorhome Garage?

[rob1234]

hi ,,having a big garage is great, first time away with it, i found myself just throwing everything in ,,but has anyone got ideas about good loading methods how to use the space better ,,thanks

 

[Minxy]

hi thanks just had it up plated to 3960kg so should have 850kg pay load ,,i think

Did your axle capacities increase though?

 

[Millcourt]

hi thanks just had it up plated to 3960kg so should have 850kg pay load ,,i think

We did the same, as this is an upgrade which can be achieved on a current Ducato chassis without further modification, as it is just the combined design axle weights which converters simply downrate to 3,500 kg to sell to a market with increasing numbers of folk (post-1998 Driving Test) who do not have a licence to drive a heavier vehicle.

The snag is this does not increase the rear axle weight limit and probably adds nothing of real value to your garage load capacity. Amongst other problems of overloading the rear axle, you may find this has the effect of reducing the weight bearing down on the front axle and reducing grip from the front wheel drive, especially noticeable when attempting to accelerate quickly (e.g. when entering a roundabout in heavy traffic).

When you are fully loaded for travel with full fuel, water etc and with driver and all passengers on board, the only way to be sure is to go to a weighbridge and check the load on each axle. This must be a flat-bed weighbridge (i.e. set level with the ground) and not one with ramps at either end (OK for total weight, but will under-weigh each axle if the vehicle has one axle on and is not level). Obviously cross-check the sum of the weight of both axles with the measured full weight.

Just noticed which MoHo you have rob1234. I think you have an overall length of 7.49 meters. Ours is just 7.0. So, as the overhang on your rear axle is greater than ours, the adverse effect of overloading your rear axle to which I referred above, may well be more noticeable than my experience.

 

[rob1234]

We did the same, as this is an upgrade which can be achieved on a current Ducato chassis without further modification, as it is just the combined design axle weights which converters simply downrate to 3,500 kg to sell to a market with increasing numbers of folk (post-1998 Driving Test) who do not have a licence to drive a heavier vehicle.

The snag is this does not increase the rear axle weight limit and probably adds nothing of real value to your garage load capacity. Amongst other problems of overloading the rear axle, you may find this has the effect of reducing the weight bearing down on the front axle and reducing grip from the front wheel drive, especially noticeable when attempting to accelerate quickly (e.g. when entering a roundabout in heavy traffic).

When you are fully loaded for travel with full fuel, water etc and with driver and all passengers on board, the only way to be sure is to go to a weighbridge and check the load on each axle. This must be a flat-bed weighbridge (i.e. set level with the ground) and not one with ramps at either end (OK for total weight, but will under-weigh each axle if the vehicle has one axle on and is not level). Obviously cross-check the sum of the weight of both axles with the measured full weight.

Just noticed which MoHo you have rob1234. I think you have an overall length of 7.49 meters. Ours is just 7.0. So, as the overhang on your rear axle is greater than ours, the adverse effect of overloading your rear axle to which I referred above, may well be more noticeable than my experience.

thanks some great info there ,,i dont intend on overloading it, most of the items in the garage are not to heavy ,,apart from cadac,,and folding bike if i take it ,,i could weigh everything i suppose ,but cant really be bothered

 

[rob1234]

Did your axle capacities increase though?

no

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[Jonno1103]

hi thanks just had it up plated to 3960kg so should have 850kg pay load ,,i think

Sensible choice!

Off the top of my head it's a bit more, with a 450kg original payload it'll 900kg, if it was 550kg originally you'll have just over 1000kg.

The garage weight will still be determined by the rear axle capacity. Fiat std chassis' have less than Ford. In some cases by 500kg.

The advertised weights & payloads on their website are realistically for a very basic motorhome. The Pilote adds weight for everything, in std form they basically have nothing meaning everything comes off the advertised payload... even central locking adds 7kg. If you have side skirt storage that's taken another 15kg & if you have a rear island bed which is height adjustable there's another 20kg deducted. Spare wheel? 40kg.

They'll even steal 1kg for a bathroom door mirror.

These options alone will mean the removal of a travel seat.

At 3500kg they really are not fit for purpose.

It's why European built vans cause so much weight paranoia and owners always say 'take it to a weighbridge'

 

[rob1234]

Sensible choice!

Off the top of my head it's a bit more, with a 450kg original payload it'll 900kg, if it was 550kg originally you'll have just over 1000kg.

The garage weight will still be determined by the rear axle capacity. Fiat std chassis' have less than Ford. In some cases by 500kg.

The advertised weights & payloads on their website are realistically for a very basic motorhome. The Pilote adds weight for everything, in std form they basically have nothing meaning everything comes off the advertised payload... even central locking adds 7kg. If you have side skirt storage that's taken another 15kg & if you have a rear island bed which is height adjustable there's another 20kg deducted. Spare wheel? 40kg.

They'll even steal 1kg for a bathroom door mirror.

These options alone will mean the removal of a travel seat.

At 3500kg they really are not fit for purpose.

It's why European built vans cause so much weight paranoia and owners always say 'take it to a weighbridge'

hi thanks ,,mine is on the heavy chassis not sure if that makes any difference ?

 

[Jonno1103]

hi thanks ,,mine is on the heavy chassis not sure if that makes any difference ?

It makes a huge difference especially in terms of up plating and with the added bonus of a strengthened garage floor. For C1 capable drivers it the sensible choice as your A Class can probably go to 4400Kg overall with suspension work which will also increase your front & rear axle limits.

 

[rob1234]

It makes a huge difference especially in terms of up plating and with the added bonus of a strengthened garage floor. For C1 capable drivers it the sensible choice as your A Class can probably go to 4400Kg overall with suspension work which will also increase your front & rear axle limits.

brilliant thanks ,,dealer never explained anything to me ,,,was in such a rush when i picked it up ,,,

 

[wixy24]

I have an Imala 736G which has a decent garage. Purchased these collapsible plastic boxes with doors that open to the front. Really helped organise and garage. Have screwed x2 to the wall and ceiling to the left of the larger door opening and managed to snugly fit in x2 more for the smaller garage opening, which I use for electric cables, my dog's thinks and water treatments etc. Amazon link below. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CKRFDNQ5?tag=mhf04-21

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[G-RMPS]

My Hymer is limited to about 50kg in the garage when loaded, to avoid overloading the rear axle. That's with minimum water and minimal stuff inside and behind the rear axle.

 

[JulianC]

Excellent discussion, thank you all. We're on our first tour in Europe of going on 12 weeks. We found the garage getting loaded up with "stuff" not needed like warmer clothes, actual duvets (it so warm that just the cover is enough), shoes when sandals or flip flops are more than enough. Basically surplus to requirements when we're newbies and didn't know better. But open or see through boxes, work well to find again. And structure like "water related gear", outdoor items, etc. Also don't let the missus reorganise, that's a disaster! You can never find things again!

 

[rob1234]

My Hymer is limited to about 50kg in the garage when loaded, to avoid overloading the rear axle. That's with minimum water and minimal stuff inside and behind the rear axle.

hi thanks i cant see any info inside the garage to say what the max load should be ,,does your have a sticker or panel stating load limits ,,?

 

[G-RMPS]

It’s not a floor loading limit. I think that is 300kg. It’s just I’m overweight on the rear axle if I exceed 50kg or thereabouts.

 

[Millcourt]

hi thanks i cant see any info inside the garage to say what the max load should be ,,does your have a sticker or panel stating load limits ,,?

I do not have any details specific to your MoHo, rob1234, but from previously looking a a variety of new Coach-built conversions which I have considered buying, it seems that when the Converter places a sticker inside the garage door this is the maximum advisable floor loading for the construction they have made. Typically I found this to be 200 kg for a 7m coach-built and 150 kg for a 7.5 m model (presumably less because of the extra overhang construction). I suspect that Converters could build more robust Garage floors with greater load-bearing capacity, but this would add to the overall weight of the vehicle and especially so on the rear axle.

However, I would be surprised if any of the foregoing has much relevance to your loading in the garage. The limiting factor will be the actual load carried by the rear axle. In your case, without having modified your suspension and tyre ratings, this is limited to the Fiat design weight of 2000 kg. As I said in my earlier posting on this thread, the only way to be sure is to have each axle weighed when fully laden.

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[GLR]

hi ,,having a big garage is great, first time away with it, i found myself just throwing everything in ,,but has anyone got ideas about good loading methods how to use the space better ,,thanks

I was also overwhelmed by mine. Three practical ideas that have made a big difference. 1. I attached a hanging rail to the back wall, dead space where now hang all our jackets, coats and my wife’s dresses too long fur the interior wardrobe. 2. Near the back wall I attached two elasticated loops on either side of the width of garage and through these I keep all poles, such as awning pole, brushes, extension pole for the washing line etc. 3. I attached a hanging net to the roof of the garage in which I keep folding beach chair, table, windbreak etc. Both number 2 and 3 keeps all these things off the floor which then makes it much easier to use the space. I this helps and good luck.

 

[Minxy]

hi thanks ,,mine is on the heavy chassis not sure if that makes any difference ?

If that's the case your rear axle could already be 2400kg so you shouldn't have any problems being able to use the extra capacity due to uprating without mods assuming it's not an Alko.

 

[Minxy]

The limiting factor will be the actual load carried by the rear axle. In your case, without having modified your suspension and tyre ratings, this is limited to the Fiat design weight of 2000 kg

Should be 2400kg on the heavy chassis assuming it's not an Alko.

 

[rob1234]

I was also overwhelmed by mine. Three practical ideas that have made a big difference. 1. I attached a hanging rail to the back wall, dead space where now hang all our jackets, coats and my wife’s dresses too long fur the interior wardrobe. 2. Near the back wall I attached two elasticated loops on either side of the width of garage and through these I keep all poles, such as awning pole, brushes, extension pole for the washing line etc. 3. I attached a hanging net to the roof of the garage in which I keep folding beach chair, table, windbreak etc. Both number 2 and 3 keeps all these things off the floor which then makes it much easier to use the space. I this helps and good luck.

sounds good any photos ,,?

 

[Woollyoak]

hi ,,having a big garage is great, first time away with it, i found myself just throwing everything in ,,but has anyone got ideas about good loading methods how to use the space better ,,thanks

We find stackable crates useful, we do not have a lot of room having a HD 883 Iron, or 2 monkey bikes, on board, oh and a blow up kayak too, so we need to be organised , to fit in on our return

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[Millcourt]

Should be 2400kg on the heavy chassis assuming it's not an Alko.

Not sure this is correct, Mel. The OP said that he had had the MoHo up-plated to 3960 kg. If the rear axle is 2400 kg, this would mean the front axle is only 1560 kg. Does not seem likely to me.

 

[Jonno1103]

Not sure this is correct, Mel. The OP said that he had had the MoHo up-plated to 3960 kg. If the rear axle is 2400 kg, this would mean the front axle is only 1560 kg. Does not seem likely to me.

Let's not forget that axle weights are usually higher than the MTPLM. Our AT Transit F Line has 1850kg on the front & 2250kg on the rear, the van is plated at 3500kg.

 

[rob1234]

Let's not forget that axle weights are usually higher than the MTPLM. Our AT Transit F Line has 1850kg on the front & 2250kg on the rear, the van is plated at 3500kg.

hi can you explain this ,,from pilote tech page there seems to be two figures for the heavy chassis ,,4400kg and mine was 3650kg i unsure what that is ,,?

 

[Darthnog]

I fitted a piece of 15mm plyboard to cover back bulkhead, this has had numerous screw hooks and eyes attached where I want them to keep the loose stuff contained with bungee rope. Holds up the collapsible chairs, the arms for rollalong water butt and it's pump, spring clips for the fire extinguisher, coat hooks, small hoses, etc . Hooks and clips can be moved around as wanted without worrying about affecting panelling integrity.
Mal & Moy

Hi, this is what I want to do, but am nervous about how to attach, how do you attach the ply to the van. Thanks Steve

 

[Delboyarapaho]

I made a table to fit into the garage in order to avoid too much moving everything on top out to get to what’s underneath. We also carry two folding electric bikes so I cut recesses to locate each bike in the same place each time we load and unload.
My latest version uses square dexion tubing for the frame

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[dpsuk999]

Put a car in the back and then it’s full

 

[VXman]

Motorbike in first. Strapped down in the middle. Everything else chucked in around it!

 

[Millcourt]

Let's not forget that axle weights are usually higher than the MTPLM. Our AT Transit F Line has 1850kg on the front & 2250kg on the rear, the van is plated at 3500kg.

Of course, but the maximum total weight you can register with the DVLA is the sum of both axle limits as defined by Fiat (in the OP’s case, Ford in yours) in the design weight, unless you upgrade the suspension and the tyre ratings.

I the OP’s case, his MoHo was up-rated to the limit of the design weight set by Fiat, as he did not modify the suspension or tyre ratings.

 

[Mal+Moy]

Hi, this is what I want to do, but am nervous about how to attach, how do you attach the ply to the van. Thanks Steve

Hi again I'll go take some photo's for you and put them on next reply

 

[Minxy]

Not sure this is correct, Mel. The OP said that he had had the MoHo up-plated to 3960 kg. If the rear axle is 2400 kg, this would mean the front axle is only 1560 kg. Does not seem likely to me.

Not necessarily, when we had Globecars on a heavy chassis the axle weights were 2000 & 2400 but the uprating only took it them to 4250. It really depends on what Pilote has put on their weight plate as sometimes the ones Fiat originally issue the Ducato as having are then altered by the converter.

Our Carthago had 1850 front and 2000 rear axle capacities but with us fitting semi-air on the rear it took the rear axle capacity to 2240 with an overall max of 3850 .

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[Mal+Moy]

The plyboard is resting on a step in garage, the floor would be just as good. Board is attached to the van bulkhead by 4 x M6 coach bolts and sleeve nuts, these were coated in CT1 sealant before fitting to prevent water ingress. The sleeve nuts go through plyboard and tighten coach bolts into panel until just a slight depression of panel to ensure the CT1 has continuous pressure sealing it. The 2 corners of the board have a peel rivet in to stiffen up board and stop it flapping, these are both internal so water ingress not a problem. The board has been fitted for the past 3 years with no problems or water ingress. The board covers the entire back of garage and I am forever repositioning the hooks and eyes as the boss buys different things to try and keep gara

ge tidy