Payload:is 3500kg enough?

[Poppy Williams]

The majority of Motorhome all seem to be 3500kg but is that enough payload for two people wanting to travel for weeks at at time? We have been looking at bigger vans but it means my husband taking his C1 licence as he had a NZ licence and they wont add it on. I look at lots of Motorhome with 3500kg and love the layout and design but are they practical? We would like to take two bikes with us also. Just wondered what your thoughts were and how you find your Motorhome with regard to weight. Is everyone driving round exceeding their weight limits?

 

[scotjimland]

if you plan to long term travel I would get hubby to take his C1 .. 3.5ton vans have very poor payload and I suspect many are driving overweight..

My Hymer B644 is 4,000kg MAM .. giving a 1,000 payload.. it has a huge garage for carrying our two expensive road bikes, and other camping paraphernalia. It would be ideal for long term travel.

Bikes carried on a rack are an easy target for the thief and get filthy when travelling in the rain.. we had tow stolen that were chained onto the rack. Battery powered angle grinders will cut through just about any security cable.

We travelled for three years with two children age 6 and 16 when we set off, and used an American RV .. 36ft and payload measured in tons .. and it still felt cramped at times.. and never enough storage space.. motorhomes shrink over time.. so it's always a compromise size versus convenience..

 

[adt]

There seems to be more and more coming on the market that have next to no payload with a weight limit of 3500kg.
Although not restricted ourselves, we picked up ours at 3500kg but it gave us a payload of just over 500kg after the extras were added. This gave us enough but we don’t take bikes with us. We just make sure we only load the van up with what we need for that trip.
Once we move home and are not restricted on van size (intend to get a house with straight flat drive) we’ll be looking at swapping for something over that size ready for retirement and loading up for longer trips.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I saw somewhere that NZ licences went up to 4.5t.........is that right?

Don't know if that would work over here or in the EU

 

[Two on Tour]

Available user payload varies massively across the range of motorhomes models out there.
If your looking to buy a new van then you will need to consider the layout that want and if the available payload suits your needs with what you intend to carry.
If it's a used van the same goes but take into account what previous owner have added to the weight with things like solar panels, extra leisure batteries, awnings etc.
In our case the van we wanted has an abysmal user payload of 365kg and to make matters worse we wanted to add solar panels, an extra leisure battery and other bit but I have a C1 licence so we were able to up-plate.

Here's and example of some of the Elddis 2013 range.

Note the highlighted "Maximum User Payload" line.

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[peterc10]

In all of this do not believe the MIRO figure any dealer or manufacturer tells you. They are usually made up estimates produced before the first model was built. Always insist it is put on a weighbridge before parting with your money.

 

[Clarky]

A very simple answer to the original question............no.

 

[scotjimland]

A very simple answer to the original question............no.

there were two questions in the OP ..

which one are you referring... "enough payload" or "Is everyone driving round exceeding their weight limits?"

 

[Clarky]

there were two questions in the OP ..

which one are you referring... "enough payload" or "Is everyone driving round exceeding their weight limits?"

Correct, but in my defence Your Honour the ‘headline’ question was “Payload: Is 3500kg enough?”
For a couple with bikes going on long trips I would want a lot more.
On the sub question of overloading the answer must be......yes.

Richard.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

The majority of Motorhome all seem to be 3500kg but is that enough payload for two people wanting to travel for weeks at at time? We have been looking at bigger vans but it means my husband taking his C1 licence as he had a NZ licence and they wont add it on. I look at lots of Motorhome with 3500kg and love the layout and design but are they practical? We would like to take two bikes with us also. Just wondered what your thoughts were and how you find your Motorhome with regard to weight. Is everyone driving round exceeding their weight limits?

3500 is not enough. You can get the ｗｅｉｇｈｔ updated but will need the C1 licence. If that is not an option you could consider a trailer to take the heavy things, as you can drive that without C1. Your payload might not be as big as you think. Take it to a weighbridge to check its weight when packed as normal with both of you in it. You might be surprised. Don’t believe he payload that salesmen tell you. The quoted payload usually includes fitted accessories, like ovens, satellite dishes, etc, so is not available payload

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[haybal]

Hi Poppy,

This may be worth a read.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/dont-worry-about-motorhome-payload.172527/

 

[vwalan]

if your husband has b+e before january 19th 2013 then fifth wheeler could be the way .
vehicle upto 3,500kg gvw towing any weight trailer as long as it doesnt break the train weight of towing vehicle . trainweights upto 11 ton are available .
its the way forward for many . specially over 70 yr olds .

 

[EuroTrotters]

Hi,

No, we have always had to have over 3,500kG.

You should both take the C1 or just insure Hubby.

 

[bobandjanie]

It is possible once you train yourselves into van life, and the best thing especially with panel vans is limited storage so it restricts you on the amount you carry.

We are just changing over to our second panel van so the old ones for sale, but when we went down to that from a motorhome with a big garage we could not believe the amount of stuff in there we never knew we had, or even why we was carrying it around.

We spend long periods travelling, and love the panel vans.
After all it always was VW , but we think top priority has to be a proper bathroom with wc and shower.
Bob.

 

[Poppy Williams]

if you plan to long term travel I would get hubby to take his C1 .. 3.5ton vans have very poor payload and I suspect many are driving overweight..

My Hymer B644 is 4,000kg MAM .. giving a 1,000 payload.. it has a huge garage for carrying our two expensive road bikes, and other camping paraphernalia. It would be ideal for long term travel.

Bikes carried on a rack are an easy target for the thief and get filthy when travelling in the rain.. we had tow stolen that were chained onto the rack. Battery powered angle grinders will cut through just about any security cable.

We travelled for three years with two children age 6 and 16 when we set off, and used an American RV .. 36ft and payload measured in tons .. and it still felt cramped at times.. and never enough storage space.. motorhomes shrink over time.. so it's always a compromise size versus convenience..

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[Flatlander]

Going against the general opinion here, 3500kg is plenty. My Adria has a payload of 771kg (cue stupid comments such as "is it made of balsa") which is plenty for trips of a few weeks. Thats going from the kerb eight also.

Of course, a lot depends on the kind of person one is. Consider this. Every year, there are motorcyclists that will take a four week holiday somewhere. Even if some break the weight limit for their bikes, they dont come anywhere near 3500kg's. Thats mostly because they take just what they need - they have to - and therefore no excess weight.

Think about this. If your coffee tastes best made from 3 day old grounds over a birchwood fire in the forest, then 3500kg is fine. If you prefer it from Starbucks, get something bigger.

 

[Poppy Williams]

Thank you to everyone for their feedback, this is all very helpful and re-inforces to me that yes we do need to get the C1 licence and get the bigger van. At the moment we like the look of the Benimar 346 which has a big garage and 4400 weight. I am still trying to learn everything but I know I need to get it right first time!. My husband is 54 and has NZ licence and has been towing trailers all his life and tows the caravan at the moment. It is ridiculous that he can't have the C1 added to his licence, he his more than competent. I have the C1 but I am not as confident as he is but I do want to drive the motorhome. It just seems to me at the moment that there must be a lot of motorhomes exceeding the payload at the moment as there is not much left to use. It soon adds up I would imagine with two adults and equipment needed for travel. Ideally we would also like to add a small trailer on and have the option to take a scooter. Thanks for all your help

 

[peterc10]

Going against the general opinion here, 3500kg is plenty. My Adria has a payload of 771kg (cue stupid comments such as "is it made of balsa")

Have you checked the actual weight in a weighbridge or are you relying on what the manufacturer says it is?

 

[Flatlander]

Have you checked the actual weight in a weighbridge or are you relying on what the manufacturer says it is?

It was checked. Thats the reason I wrote "kerb weight."

 

[Minxy]

What it comes down to is what type of MH you want and what you want to take with you.

We had a Chausson Flash 04 coachbuilt with fixed rear bed and half dinette up front, kitchen and washroom, with a payload of over 700kg which we never got close to using, the newer MHs tend to be heavier and therefore payload smaller but again, it depends on what you want.

We are now onto our 3rd panel van, our first was a 6m Autocruise Accent with a payload of just over 500kg which was more than sufficient, our second (still have it ... up for sale shortly!) is a 6.36m Globecar FamilyScout L with a payload of nearly 600kg so more than adequate payload for most people (although we uprated it to 4250kg it could easily be downplated - we get the benefit of cheaper road tax though at the higher weight, nuts I know). Our current one, a 6.36m Globecar Campscout has been registered at 4250kg simply because we could but in reality whether we'll ever use the extra payload is moot but we don't need to think about it.

We tend to take quite a bit away with us especially loads of dog food and biscuits as we have 3 dogs and don't want to risk upset tummies with them when we go away for 7 weeks at a time, plus a mountain of dog toys etc. Also 2 bikes and inflatable canoes & all the kit.

So, it can be done with a MH or PVC at 3500kg but you need to check the details of each vehicle to ensure what the actual payload is, not what the dealers tell you it is!

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[Minxy]

Poppy, if you're considering getting a trailer then that could help you to keep within the 3500kg limit as you can put stuff in the trailer with the scooter to minimise the weight in the MH so long as you stay within the train weight limit, this could therefore negate the need to spend over £1000 on your hubby getting his C1 licence.

 

[hilldweller]

The majority of Motorhome all seem to be 3500kg but is that enough payload for two people wanting to travel for weeks at at time?

We've wandered all over Europe and Africa for 10 years in under 3.5t.

You have to adjust to mobile life to survive. Once you start down the road of "I want all I have in my house" you end up with an RV and you are obliged to miss all the good bits because you can't get there or if you do you are too big to park.

Yes, choose your van carefully and you can live well on 3.5t.

 

[Lenny HB]

You don't say what size or type of van you want without that info difficult to answer the question. To keep to 3500kg generally means a small van 7m max. In the Hymer Exsis range both low profile and A class that have payloads of 700kg which is about the minimum you need. Hymer are the only manufacture I know that don't produce overweight vans most other makes you need to deduct 100kg of the payload to allow for overweight.

Our last van had 570kg payload we ended up uprating to 3850kg. Makes life so much easier when you don't have to worry about being overweight, current van has 1300kg payload.

 

[motorhomer]

We've wandered all over Europe and Africa for 10 years in under 3.5t.

You have to adjust to mobile life to survive. Once you start down the road of "I want all I have in my house" you end up with an RV and you are obliged to miss all the good bits because you can't get there or if you do you are too big to park.

Yes, choose your van carefully and you can live well on 3.5t.

Absolutely right.

Having downsized from an overweight coachbuilt to a PVC you adjust what you take to what you carry. If you need trailers because of all the stuff you want to take, in my view you are missing the whole point of motorhoming, which is the ability to "get up and go" anywhere when you feel like it and to stop where you fancy.

Being under 3.5 (and not having a trailer) has other benefits, lower tolls in many countries, higher speed limits, less "hassle" because no need for go boxes (Austria) and the like.

Also, having now passed the magic age of 70, its worth considering that health requirements are more stringent over 3.5, and you need a medical to renew your C1 licence.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Went for my 3850kg van because I wanted more living space and comfort - just for me - fixed bed - decent size shower and not having to sit at a dinette. Had to get my C1 back but worth the hassle

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[tacr2man]

We've wandered all over Europe and Africa for 10 years in under 3.5t.

You have to adjust to mobile life to survive. Once you start down the road of "I want all I have in my house" you end up with an RV and you are obliged to miss all the good bits because you can't get there or if you do you are too big to park.

Yes, choose your van carefully and you can live well on 3.5t.

What is your experience of traveling with an RV , as I don't find it that restrictive

 

[Lenny HB]

What is your experience of traveling with an RV , as I don't find it that restrictive

Depends where you want to go, we don't like sites an even find our 7.5 white brick stands out like a sore thumb when trying to park up somewhere decretly.

 

[Stealaway]

We've wandered all over Europe and Africa for 10 years in under 3.5t.

You have to adjust to mobile life to survive. Once you start down the road of "I want all I have in my house" you end up with an RV and you are obliged to miss all the good bits because you can't get there or if you do you are too big to park.

Yes, choose your van carefully and you can live well on 3.5t.

Our 3.5 ton van is perfectly adequate for two people as long as you resist the urge to fill the van with the crap -'I just might need'
Travel far and travel light - you really can manage with a lot less junk.
We have a 500 kg payload and we are never not nearly overweight --------- (well once a year but that's our secret)

 

[scotjimland]

When Full time you need four seasons clothing, not just flip-flops and two pairs of Speedos' and lot more 'stuff' than you have on a few weeks on holiday..

I wouldn't dream of going full time with just 500kg payload..

but as they say.. each to their own..

you can also go back-packing .. or even bike-packing with a rucksack.. that is a lot less than 3.5t .. but that's not my idea of 'living the dream' nor do I suspect the OPs.

 

[Lenny HB]

Biggest problem we find with load payload is getting a van with a big enough water tank that you can run full. We do like our morning shower, current van has 160Lt tank and I can get at least 180Lt in it just about enough.
Last van was only 100Lt used to carry another 40Lt in the garage.