Motorhome Weight Check by European Police

[Rds559]

As anyone had their motorhome by the police anywhere in Europe to see if it is overweight.

 

[gus-lopez]

Drive over scales

these for me set in the ground.

By French Customs & Excise,

Shortly before being stopped for weighing I was accosted by 4 gendarmes + 1 lopey dog acting as escort to 2 customs men in an aire de repos we had overnighted in. No idea what they wanted .one gendarme asked if I spoke french & I said no spanish or english so he went with english & translated for the douane. never looked in the van, asked for passport, nothing. Just were had we been & were going & that was well North of Bordeaux.

 

[Roby2008]

Is that a general speed limit over the whole autobahn system, if so what limit? Or was it just for a section?

Under 3.5 the limit is the same as for cars, so you can gos as fast as you dare on the unlimited sections of the Autobahn, However, there is an advisory maximum of 130kph for MHs, it is advisory only, they will not nick for going over that advisory limit but they will find something else .
I regularly dash around at 160 (100mph) in the car as we have an unlimited section of Autobahn near here, but in the MH 120/130 is the norm, it will do 160 (100mph) but there is no reason to ( of course I had to try it) .....the sweet spot is actually 115/120kph and is a nice balance between progress and economy....
We have a low profile Pilote 696 so not too sheddy...

The unlimited sections of Autobahn are slowly disappearing, and if the Greens get their way then we will get a blanket 130 kph limit

 

[kingoftheroad]

Out of curiosity, was the check on total weight only ? or did they also check individual axle loadings. What sort of equipment did they use? Drive over scales or a platform for total weight measurement?

It was a portable set up, from what I remember, both front and rear weight checked, it was well organised though, I remember seeing two skips set up, I'm guessing, you either organised someone to come and pick up the gear you've had to unload, or it was going in the skip, your choice, anyone over weight, was definitely not leaving until legally corrected that's for sure, the thought of what the hell you would have to sacrifice, to reduce your payload has since made me change my attitude towards packing the van.

 

[Geoff51]

Although not weight related, I was stopped on the Autobahn a few years ago in a Carthago when I was averaging 150kmh over a 3km stretch.
The copper was fine and explained that although there was no speed limit for cars there was for motorhomes.
I left with a flea in my ear.

Your reply is off subject. This is about being pulled over for being overweight (possibly).

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[kingoftheroad]

Although, never seen this in France or Spain in all the years I've visited

 

[Brize]

...... the thought of what the hell you would have to sacrifice, to reduce your payload has since made me change my attitude towards packing the van.

The wife?

 

[carolyn]

Your reply is off subject. This is about being pulled over for being overweight (possibly).

This is perfectly normal in Motorhomefun, threads rarely stay on topic so don’t worry and it’s best not to point it out. We love to meander down side roads, much like we do in our vans

 

[Baggydave]

As anyone had their motorhome by the police anywhere in Europe to see if it is overweight.

Not in 10years travelling.

 

[stewartwebr]

Having attended the Dusseldorf Salon many times over the years I have also observed many motorhomes being weighed as they enter. They were using individual scales under each wheel. It got to the stage that we joked as we arrived if they would be there doing it again that particular year, and sure enough, same place, same activity We have been lucky and have never been pulled.

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[dawsey]

I have done close to 30,000km in France and Spain the last 15 months - all types of roads. I have never even seen any kind of spot check on weight.

What I have seen, however, is four stranded motorhomes due to blown, two quite dramatically, rear tyres. Our van was nearly one more.

I heard and diagnosed the vibration before it could let go on an autoroute. I’d humbly suggest to anyone that if running fully loaded, or slightly over, make sure you have the best, newest tyres you can have and forget about police. One is a few Euros of fines and dumping some stuff at the roadside. The other could cost you your life.

 

[Badknee]

Your reply is off subject. This is about being pulled over for being overweight (possibly).

Get used to it! It’s a miracle if any thread stays on topic here.

Now then, have you any trips away planned for this year?

 

[x17ken]

It was a portable set up, from what I remember, both front and rear weight checked, it was well organised though, I remember seeing two skips set up, I'm guessing, you either organised someone to come and pick up the gear you've had to unload, or it was going in the skip, your choice, anyone over weight, was definitely not leaving until legally corrected that's for sure, the thought of what the hell you would have to sacrifice, to reduce your payload has since made me change my attitude towards packing the van.

Great informative post kingoftheroad and a warning to others. Big picture is that roadside checks are all in the interests of road safety. None of us want to be hit by a guy with a heavy load who is going to cripple our van and family. However, the stress of being pulled over and weighed must have been horrendous for you.

 

[sgl5gjr]

I've never been stopped but I always run 200kg under anyway.... we always travel "light"... The Police were out in force (pardon the pun) in Belgium last week for all sorts of checks on the main routes and motorways.... mainly mobile/speed/booze etc.... I've a "light" van anyway which comes in at 2960 kg before the bikes and summer chairs are loaded as well as summer hangers on (Daughter and Granddaughter) and we still are underweight full tanked

 

[x17ken]

I've never been stopped but I always run 200kg under anyway.... we always travel "light"... The Police were out in force (pardon the pun) in Belgium last week for all sorts of checks on the main routes and motorways.... mainly mobile/speed/booze etc.... I've a "light" van anyway which comes in at 2960 kg before the bikes and summer chairs are loaded as well as summer hangers on (Daughter and Granddaughter) and we still are underweight full tanked

The reason for my question is related to the balance of weight front to back. Like you I am always 200kg under overall, but my back axle is on the limit of the plated maximum weight. I have tried everything to move weight forward but nothing seems to work. I note that you have an over-cab in your pic. Does this help you get more weight forward in your van to achieve a better balance within the overall weight limit?

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[G-RMPS]

The reason for my question is related to the balance of weight front to back. Like you I am always 200kg under overall, but my back axle is on the limit of the plated maximum weight. I have tried everything to move weight forward but nothing seems to work. I note that you have an over-cab in your pic. Does this help you get more weight forward in your van to achieve a better balance within the overall weight limit?

I removed the over-cab mattress and put the navigatrice’s clothes up there. Probably heavier than the mattress

 

[Brella]

We were stopped last week in France by custom Gendarmes. They were stopping campers and motorhomes asking if we had cigarettes or cash equivalent to 8000e, I wish. They searched every cupboard. Found nothing and let us on our way. I had plenty of wine but they weren't interested in that. They never asked for any documents.

 

[gus-lopez]

Although, never seen this in France or Spain in all the years I've visited

There is an ambush on the A23 in Spain every day. The only thing different is to what time of the day it is .

J92 ,Sierra de Javalhambre , 2 or 4 motorbike Trafico patrol from 92 up north bound & return to drag in someone southbound . then from 92 southwards & return when they have found another customer on northbound side. sometimes it is only paperwork for trucks but they also take them to the weighbridge over on the north bound side.Normally when they drag them in there are 4 other trafico to deal with them leaving the bikes to go hunting again.

I note that you have an over-cab in your pic. Does this help you get more weight forward in your van to achieve a better balance within the overall weight limit?

I used to load up the over cab bedin the last van with everything i was taking to the uk that weighed a lot.Never had a problem with wheelspin or lack of traction going over

 

[x17ken]

There is an ambush on the A23 in Spain every day. The only thing different is to what time of the day it is .

J92 ,Sierra de Javalhambre , 2 or 4 motorbike Trafico patrol from 92 up north bound & return to drag in someone southbound . then from 92 southwards & return when they have found another customer on northbound side. sometimes it is only paperwork for trucks but they also take them to the weighbridge over on the north bound side.Normally when they drag them in there are 4 other trafico to deal with them leaving the bikes to go hunting again.

I used to load up the over cab bedin the last van with everything i was taking to the uk that weighed a lot.Never had a problem with wheelspin or lack of traction going over

Gus - Aside from the practicalities of being pulled over and required to shed weight if necessary. Are there any Spanish roadside fines for being overweight in the first place?

 

[scotjimland]

Your reply is off subject. This is about being pulled over for being overweight (possibly).

par for the course on Fun ... you get used to it

will soon be onto wine tasting

staying on topic....

no.. not in 30 years

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[Rds559]

Yes. North of Bordeaux

Was you overweight and what happened thank you.

 

[gus-lopez]

Gus - Aside from the practicalities of being pulled over and required to shed weight if necessary. Are there any Spanish roadside fines for being overweight in the first place?

Yes & it varies region to region & no you really do not want to go there. One dutch caravan in Pais Vasco ,if I remember correctly, was fined at 50€ per kg for a 60kg overweight 3000€.

Was you overweight and what happened thank you.

no as per previous post I was 800kgs under & just went on my way. It was a commercial stop that incorrectly pulled me in but they weighed me anyway

 

[Lenny HB]

Your reply is off subject. This is about being pulled over for being overweight (possibly).

So what, it's Motorhome Fun.

 

[Funnymunny]

We were pulled in just south of Limoge a few years back, they were pulling all commercial type vehicles off the motorway into a special area with a weigh bridge and parking area. I had just filled the water to the brim and also full fuel so would almost certainly have bean very close if not over my 3850kg. There was a queue of about 20 vehicles waiting with an old wagon carrying scrap metal at the front that looked really rough and they were throwing the book at it, people were getting frustrated at the wait and obviously a few grumbles in French so one of the Gendarmes just walked along the line waving all the motorhomes on. We were gone in a flash breathing a huge sigh of relief.

 

[Folkranger]

There are definitely members on here who have been stopped and fined, the subject has been raised before but I can't find the actual threads.
Been stopped but not weighed, it was during a period when motorhomes / campers were being used for drugs. !
Once met a couple who were done for 90 euros and had to leave some items like books at a roadside bin.

Thats cheaper than upgrading your suspension. (and less pain than suggesting the wife goes on a diet)

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[Lenny HB]

Thats cheaper than upgrading your suspension. (and less pain than suggesting the wife goes on a diet)

Not really as you save £160 a year in VED and the saving will increase every year.

 

[Folkranger]

Not really as you save £160 a year in VED and the saving will increase every year.

True. Better tell the wife not to bother.

 

[EuroTrotters]

If you are super worried, travel during the night

 

[flatpackchicken]

Yes got pulled for first time in France in 12 years traveling in mh at Bonneval nr Châteaudun, about 3 years ago, 2 MHs unloading stuff and a lot of arm flinging !!!!!!! While I waited my turn.
Going n/b for home and was pulled across the road into a s/b laybye to be weighed by mobile weigh bridge, lucky I was not overweight just about on the limit though 5t mh + 1.65t trailer !!!! So yes it happens!!!!!

 

[JockandRita]

We were stopped last week in France by custom Gendarmes. They were stopping campers and motorhomes asking if we had cigarettes or cash equivalent to 8000e, I wish. They searched every cupboard. Found nothing and let us on our way. I had plenty of wine but they weren't interested in that. They never asked for any documents.

We experienced exactly the same search at the Toulouse Peage some years ago. Although they had portable weighing scales, we weren't weighed, but they were extremely thorough in their search for tobacco products.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Rds559]

Thats cheaper than upgrading your suspension. (and less pain than suggesting the wife goes on a diet)

With our it’s just a paper exercise to uprated from 3500 kg to 3850 kg