PVC weight issues

[DerryW]

Hi. We hear and read a lot about the issues of useable payload on 3500kg coachbuilt motor homes. Does the same (either genuine or perceived) apply with the average PVC.

Asking for a friend

 

[Gaston aires]

Same rules apply but you probably have a higher payload factor.
Phil

 

[Phill D]

At a guess I would think it does, remember that pvc’s are metal shell as opposed to the c class mostly being a lighter body construction.

 

[dunnah01]

My bros empty Wildax XL is 3340kg

 

[Lenny HB]

Also quite a few PVC's built on 3300kg chassis on these the front axle is often on the limit.

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[Riverbankannie]

We are on the limit once loaded, on the heavy chassis, no bike rack or bikes.

 

[nicholsong]

My bros empty Wildax XL is 3340kg

So any vehicle like that with max weight of 3500kg and two persons at 75kg each would have 10kg for the rest.

 

[DerryW]

Thanks for the early responses. I must admit, they really surprised me, when I look around what’s permanently built into our coachbuilt and it’s lighter than the average PVC. One assumes most have rear assist suspension fitted to give a fighting chance.

 

[Waveski]

I’ve not done a lot of research but I think any PVC over 6 metres would definitely need checking. My 5.4 metre van runs at about 3200 in fully loaded touring mode with just me and with an electric bike on rack, full tank’s etc.

 

[Guigsy]

I’ve not done a lot of research but I think any PVC over 6 metres would definitely need checking. My 5.4 metre van runs at about 3200 in fully loaded touring mode with just me and with an electric bike on rack, full tank’s etc.

Agreed. Any pvc or coachbuild over 6m needs to be careful if they want to stay with 3.5t. And like Lenny said, some small vans are only plated to 3.3t.

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[hja]

Our 6.4m pvc weight limit 3.5 Two adults, over 75kg!! Loaded up, fuel pretty much full, half tank water, solar panel, wind out awning, weigh bridge showed us under the 3.5 by 40 or 50 kg

 

[Guigsy]

Our 6.4m pvc weight limit 3.5 Two adults, over 75kg!! Loaded up, fuel pretty much full, half tank water, solar panel, wind out awning, weigh bridge showed us under the 3.5 by 40 or 50 kg

It's definitely possible to stay under. You've done the right thing to check. You're 98% utilised.

 

[Raul]

Crafter self built. On 3.5T LWB high roof. In full travel mode with full water, food, gas, etc. with two on board, no bikes, just under 3.1T. We have about 400kg spare load.
I did work very hard throughout the conversion build, to keep weight down. Very good fuel consumption, and pretty nimble if I need to. Length 6.85m and 17m turning circle, so no small.
It’s possible to keep weight down when you start with a blank canvas.

 

[gus-lopez]

My Transit is 5.4m. It was already lined & insulated when i bought it . it is plated at 3300kgs. i have reinsulated everthing + added more including all doors & self converted water ,gas, electrics solar panels, maxx fan,shower, sink, hob, fridge ,water tanks fresh & waste. To homologate the conversion, required here as a change of use & everything goes on the technical logbook ,it had to have a new 'unladen weight'

Pity they never mentioned it earlier as it was full of water & diesel but came out as 2380kgs unladen. Gives me 920kgs of junk to carry. When I went to the Uk last year & took many of the daughters possessions Including a 330litre roof box full of tat, I weighed it on leaving at 3120kgs including me ,the wife, dog , 150kgs of tools & additional 50kgs of diesel in jerry cans.
I have a front axle plated at 1850 & a rear axle plated at 2100kgs
When weighed empty for the new unladen weight I had 1280 on the front & 1100 on the rear so it balances out well when I load the rear & roof box.

I only went with one sink, small & marble,as couldn't see the point of two.We rarely used both in the last coachbuilt.
I also added a towbar which is included in the UL.

 

[Minxy]

We've had 6m and 6.36m PVCs and certainly the payload on the latter was quite a bit less than the former. By comparison with a coach built of the same length then payloads were less, by as much as 300kg, so keeping the 6.36m at 3500kg would have been nigh on impossible even with minimal kit so we upped to 4250kg (paper exercise as already on the heavy chassis) and didn't have to worry.

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[Minxy]

I only went with one sink, small & marble,as couldn't see the point of two.We rarely used both in the last coachbuilt.

Let's be having a photo of your single marble then!