Payload

[wotme]

I am trying to find out the payload for a Fiat Ducato Elnagh SEA 640R I realize this is something I should have found out before putting down a deposit on the vehicle, Having since read articles about MHs having ridiculously low payloads I asked the dealer and he says the only way to find out the mass in running order (MIRO) is to empty the vehicle and have it weighed. To do that would mean calculating and deducting the weight of the top box, bike rack, and wind out canopy etc. Apparently the gross weight axle weights and train weight are the only figures found on the plate, NOT THE MIRO WEIGHT.
If this is the case it obviously makes it impossible to work out the payload unless as the dealer says having it weighed empty or is there another way of finding this out?

 

[The Wino]

We travel fairly light compared to a lot only real extra is a washing machine at 13 kg, no bike rack but e- bikes about 48kg plus 5 kg in locks and chains.
As for extras, factory fitted we had comfort pack which includes drivers door, larger fridge with TecTower oven, electric front roller blind, upgraded hab door, auto gearbox, loads of other bits but not much that adds weight.
Then I have fitted sat dish, TV, 2 extra batteries, inverter, 3 solar panels., Spare wheel, awning.
Just had full air suspension fitted that's only about 50kg.
Wouldn't think about setting off without a full tank of water (160lt). Today is the first day I've been able to get water this week.

As I said a fair bit more than us!!!! Each to their own but the more you weigh the more fuel you will use the worse the performance possibly larger engine weighing more needed and worse handling and the bigger the m/h will be so more weight harder to wildcamp in remote places ( and we often visit friends and park on their driveways which would be hard if any longer ) etc etc. As I said 2 ways of doing it but if he's already bought might have to cut the cloth to fit what there is.

 

[Spriddler]

We travel fairly light....a washing machine ......e- bikes, plus 5 kg in locks and chains....... comfort pack which includes drivers door, larger fridge with TecTower oven, electric front roller blind, upgraded hab door, auto gearbox, ........sat dish, TV, 2 extra batteries, inverter, 3 solar panels., Spare wheel, awning.........full air suspension fitted ..........full tank of water (160lt).

That's LIGHT?
Gulp!
I have none whatsoever of the above. I even leave the weight on my shoulders at home

 

[Lenny HB]

That's LIGHT?
Gulp!
I have none whatsoever of the above. I even leave the weight on my shoulders at home

Yep, don't carry anymore junk than we need to.

Our first van only had a low payload but it was a special edition and had TecTower, sat dish, TV & surround sound with sub woofer as standard so didn't need to add much

 

[wotme]

So today I've started loading up the Elnagh and I've called her *?$!%# quite a few times and that's before I stopped for coffee.
The only workings in this vehicle that comes even close to previous caravans I've owned is connecting the gas bottles and lighting the cooker, the rest I'm gradually finding out by trial and error, the hand book is next to useless as its for a Ducato van and not a MH.
It actually started first time but that's about the only exciting thing that's happened so far,
My five year old granddaughter loves it, better than her Wendy House she says, I've told her she can watch her favourite TV programs, just hope this fancy self searching satellite finder works.
I was hoping to remove the top box but its bolted through the roof and the base is sealed with a mastic that's as hard as iron.
There is a red key located on the base of the drivers seat which looks like an main isolating switch for the 12v supply, any ideas? another thing is I can't see any way to fill the electric flush and whether it works on 12v or independent batteries, its the type that has a rotating bowl

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[Spriddler]

There is a red key located on the base of the drivers seat which looks like an main isolating switch for the 12v supply, any ideas?

When not on hook-up and with the 'Hab' battery selected (i.e. not the vehicle battery) put the hab lights on and operate the red key. If the lights go on and off it's the hab battery isolator.

another thing is I can't see any way to fill the electric flush and whether it works on 12v or independent batteries, its the type that has a rotating bowl

Ditto the above test for the flush pump. It's highly unlikely to have independent batteries.

 

[Bart]

@wotme glad you are getting the MH sorted , when you get a chance check your tyre ages and pressures.
but No.1 have FUN

 

[tonyidle]

Once you have bought the van the only weight that matters is MAM or MTPLM - which will be on the plate under the bonnet. Payload is irrelevant until you find you have exceeded it. Load it with what you think you'll need, fill up with fuel (when you've saved up enough to do so ), fill the water tank, take wife, and if applicable any kids and dogs, then go and weigh it. Weigh front axle & total - you can subtract front axle from total to give rear axle load. Then you can decide if you have to lighten or (hopefully) have a bit spare for extras (and booze purchases). Not all weighbridges charge such a high fee - some don't charge at all.

 

[Revolvor]

@wotme You may find it helpful to download the Motorhome Weight Calculator from "Resources". It is an Excel Spreadsheet that allows you to calculate varying axle weights as you add or remove stuff from your MH.

The Weighbridge weight is taken as the datum, and then by entering the weight of an item that you have added/removed, together with it's position relative to the rear wheels, the new Front and Rear Axle weights are displayed.

Not only will help keep you legal/safe, but also the correct tire pressures can also be determined - usually by contacting the manufacturer, and telling them your axle weights.

 

[Lenny HB]

Take your caravan hat off, Motorhome loos normally use water from the main tank to flush. They have a non return valve in the pipe and a solenoid that opens & the main pump runs when you press the flush button.

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[DBK]

This site might help you find a cheaper weighbridge. I would phone round as the cheapest may not be the nearest.

https://www.gov.uk/find-weighbridge

The one I used last (at a quarry) was free although they asked for a donation to charity and waved a tin at me to reinforce this! I measured the total weight then drove half off and measured the rear axle. The front axle weight was the difference between the two.

 

[The Wino]

This site might help you find a cheaper weighbridge. I would phone round as the cheapest may not be the nearest.

https://www.gov.uk/find-weighbridge

The one I used last (at a quarry) was free although they asked for a donation to charity and waved a tin at me to reinforce this! I measured the total weight then drove half off and measured the rear axle. The front axle weight was the difference between the two.

I did the same at a lumber yard but didn't have the tin waved so gave them a fiver for charity as they were so friendly

 

[wotme]

Yes I think I'm making headway, everything I've checked so far is working fine, just hope the hot water and blown air heating behave and I'm there. Lunch time my wife christened one of the seats with red wine, -- great start.
Luckily she had some upholstery cleaner and the stain came out okay.
I'd just like to thank you all for your posts, much appreciated, will let you know how things work out weight wise

 

[Lenny HB]

Lunch time my wife christened one of the seats with red wine,

You are getting the hang of it at last. Red wine is the ultimate most important test.

 

[The Wino]

Yes I think I'm making headway, everything I've checked so far is working fine, just hope the hot water and blown air heating behave and I'm there. Lunch time my wife christened one of the seats with red wine, -- great start.
Luckily she had some upholstery cleaner and the stain came out okay.
I'd just like to thank you all for your posts, much appreciated, will let you know how things work out weight wise

Im sure ti will have had wine spilt before just don't start drinking out of porros

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[suavecarve]

Ditto the red wine comments.

You can buy your own weighing scales for about 120 nicker from germany on ebay. Same cost as getting your van s axles weighed and a full weight.

They are heavy though so you might not be able to take them with you !

 

[gus-lopez]

1€ per weigh here, anywhere.
**with printed dated/timed receipt

 

[The Wino]

Ditto the red wine comments.

You can buy your own weighing scales for about 120 nicker from germany on ebay. Same cost as getting your van s axles weighed and a full weight.

They are heavy though so you might not be able to take them with you !

But if you can get it done free and as it was almost 300kg below the limit almost fully loaded why not save the money for more wine!!!!

 

[suavecarve]

But if you can get it done free and as it was almost 300kg below the limit almost fully loaded why not save the money for more wine!!!!

But i can buy the exact amount of wine i can legally carry.
Might get done for having too much but i wont be overweight.

 

[The Wino]

But i can buy the exact amount of wine i can legally carry.
Might get done for having too much but i wont be overweight.

I'll just have to manage on only 200 bottles!!!

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[Lenny HB]

I'll just have to manage on only 200 bottles!!!

Lightweight.

 

[mitzimad]

£8.50 per weigh at our local so £26.50 for the three needless to say i told them to stick their weighbridge were the sun dont shine

 

[suavecarve]

I'll just have to manage on only 200 bottles!!!

Amateur

 

[Badknee]

Only just brought it home M-J, I've never driven a motorhome before and I can't say it was an enjoyable experience.
The steering felt extremely light and the handling on minor roads was at first a bit of an issue but on the motorway at 60mph with high-ish cross winds it behaved surprisingly stable. The 2.8 power unit is exactly twice the size fitted in my Kodiak but it has a fraction of the 4X4s performance. I'm not sure if it will have the guts to climb a 1 in 20 let alone a 1 in 3. I soon realized that travelling in a home on wheels is far from relaxing even when crawling along at a snails pace. Surely similar 2007 coach builds can't all be the same

You should have hired one before you bought it. Comparing it to your car is wrong, compare it to a house on wheels instead

 

[Emmit]

Take your caravan hat off, Motorhome loos normally use water from the main tank to flush. They have a non return valve in the pipe and a solenoid that opens & the main pump runs when you press the flush button.

And following on from that, pinch a spray bottle from the kitchen at home. Put a healthy dose of 'Pink' deodoriser into it and fill with clean water. Then, whenever you use the toilet, spray the bowl after use and it will keep it smelling sweet.

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[wotme]

I eventually got my Elnagh to a weighbridge and the results were not brilliant but not a total disaster.
I've just discovered a similar model Elnagh two years older with the exact dimensions and layout as mine but has a gross weight 100k more. --- WHY?
The only thing I can think of if it has the same payload the chassis structure is possibly heavier

 

[Riverbankannie]

I eventually got my Elnagh to a weighbridge and the results were not brilliant but not a total disaster.
I've just discovered a similar model Elnagh two years older with the exact dimensions and layout as mine but has a gross weight 100k more. --- WHY?
The only thing I can think of if it has the same payload the chassis structure is possibly heavier

It may well have different optional extras fitted, from automatic gearbox to awning and everything in between.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Sorry, I maybe read that a bit wrong. Do you mean gross weight on the plate? Yes, maybe chassis or wheels upgrade.

 

[Lenny HB]

I eventually got my Elnagh to a weighbridge and the results were not brilliant but not a total disaster.

Well are you going to tell us or is it too embarrassing.

I've just discovered a similar model Elnagh two years older with the exact dimensions and layout as mine but has a gross weight 100k more. --- WHY?
The only thing I can think of if it has the same payload the chassis structure is possibly heavier

Probably been uprated to give an extra 100 kg of payload, weight of the van will be the same.

 

[Podney]

Only just brought it home M-J, I've never driven a motorhome before and I can't say it was an enjoyable experience.
The steering felt extremely light and the handling on minor roads was at first a bit of an issue but on the motorway at 60mph with high-ish cross winds it behaved surprisingly stable. The 2.8 power unit is exactly twice the size fitted in my Kodiak but it has a fraction of the 4X4s performance. I'm not sure if it will have the guts to climb a 1 in 20 let alone a 1 in 3. I soon realized that travelling in a home on wheels is far from relaxing even when crawling along at a snails pace. Surely similar 2007 coach builds can't all be the same

Ive got the 2.8jtd and it pulls like a train,you shouldn’t have any problems with steep hills. My only advice would be to get the engine and gearbox up to normal running temperature before changing up into fifth gear.....and to treat fifth gear like an “overdrive”......I guess you are old enough to know what they were!
You will get to enjoy driving her, but don’t rush,enjoy the view!
If the steering is too light it may be that your front tyres are pumped up too much. Lots of threads on here about tyre pressures!

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[Minxy]

I eventually got my Elnagh to a weighbridge and the results were not brilliant but not a total disaster.
I've just discovered a similar model Elnagh two years older with the exact dimensions and layout as mine but has a gross weight 100k more. --- WHY?
The only thing I can think of if it has the same payload the chassis structure is possibly heavier

C'mon ... spill the beans, what are the weights?