Police checking vehicle weight in France?

On the N10, going south, after Mansle Charente, is a closed - off Lay by used exclusively by the Gendarmes for checking trucks. During July and August there are frequent Motorhome/Caravan inspections carried out with portable scales, the vast majority of the vehicles are French. Never seen anything left behind, presumably it is all removed when they leave.
 
I just bought a weighing gizmo from Berger here in France that purports to be quite accurate doing one wheel at a time.
I've never heard of DIY motorhome scales. I would be very interested to know more about the Berger system.
 
I've never heard of DIY motorhome scales. I would be very interested to know more about the Berger system.
These Reich ones have a decent reputation

 
Has anyone on here been caught by the WIMS? Weigh in motion sensors built into the UK motorways that operate with ANPR.
 
On the N10, going south, after Mansle Charente, is a closed - off Lay by used exclusively by the Gendarmes for checking trucks. During July and August there are frequent Motorhome/Caravan inspections carried out with portable scales, the vast majority of the vehicles are French. Never seen anything left behind, presumably it is all removed when they leave.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
We were weighed by French police a couple of years ago whilst travelling along an urban dual carriageway.
I handed over all of our documents including base vehicle paperwork, conversion paperwork, certificate of conformity….everything.
We run at 3500kg, although with no modifications but the correct paperwork we can run at 3850kg.
Our Hymer was almost fully fuelled and we had a lot of fresh water in the tank.
The gendarmes told us we were under weight ………..I think they might have been wrong !
We didn’t ask how much we weighed , just drove off and didn’t look back.
Nice one😂. I’d have done the same.
 
I've never heard of DIY motorhome scales. I would be very interested to know more about the Berger system.
I’ll report back when I use them. I’m also curious. Seem similar in theory to the pads they used to weigh my plane but a lot less expensive.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: f6c
We were weighed in France a couple of years ago by the police at a peage. Weighed then waived through.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: f6c
Perhaps they're looking at the best use of their resources. If there is a link between accidents and being overloaded reducing it could save lives a lot more important than robberies.
No they take the 'idle wasters' approach which is easiest.Same as they do in most countries.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Sorry for the basic question. What IS the weight limit, and does it depend on the driver's licence? We've both had full UK licences since the 1980s.
 
Sorry for the basic question. What IS the weight limit, and does it depend on the driver's licence? We've both had full UK licences since the 1980s.
The VIN plate on your motorhome gives you the maximum axle weights you can load up to but there is also a total weight which is usually a bit less than adding the axle weights. If you are allowed a maximum weight of over 3500kg according to the VIN plate you will be driving a Heavy Goods Vehicle but your licence should be fine for that.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: f6c
Got pulled once in a hired MH for a diesel check. All ok of course.
 
Sorry for the basic question. What IS the weight limit, and does it depend on the driver's licence? We've both had full UK licences since the 1980s.
There are two..sort of (3 if you count road weight limits).
What you are licenced to drive...you are most likely able to drive up to 7.5 tonnes...so pretty much all MoHos, and what the vehicles weight is plated as. Lots of MOHos are plated at 3500kg but have a bare weight of well over 3000kg...so add water and all you take and you may be well over 3500kg...so overweight. The only way to find out is to get it weighed (and check your respective licences)
 
Over the last 16 years I've had 3 Hymers & now a Carthago they all have the same system. Always travel with a full tank never had a problem.
Yeah same here 15 years of travelling with a full tank no problems at all good as the day it was put in
 
Sorry for the basic question. What IS the weight limit, and does it depend on the driver's licence? We've both had full UK licences since the 1980s.
Check you license category if you not got C1 you are restricted to 3.5ton
 
This may help to make it clear
Sorry for the basic question. What IS the weight limit, and does it depend on the driver's licence? We've both had full UK licences since the 1980s.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top