Which Brands have Poor Payload

bigtwin

bigtwin

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I know that there are a few brands that generally don’t fare well when it comes to payload, particularly if plated at 3500Kg.

Any views on how Rapido fare on this front (I have a relative considering one)?

Ian
 
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The problem with newer vans is the standard tech required which all adds weight. In order to keep to below 3500kg there must be some compromises. The only way to know the true payload is a visit to a weigh bridge.

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I think they are all faring less well with payload as regulations get tighter.

But in some cases, the dealers don't seem to want stock basic vans.
 
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Most vans weighing over 3.5 tons offer a reasonable payload. However, the market for 3.5-ton vans is both too significant to overlook and highly competitive. As manufacturers vie to create the most appealing vans, they often add extra features that increase the vehicle's weight, consequently reducing its payload capacity.

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Jim said:
Most vans weighing over 3.5 tons offer a reasonable payload. However, the market for 3.5-ton vans is both too significant to overlook and highly competitive. As manufacturers vie to create the most appealing vans, they often add extra features that increase the vehicle's weight, consequently reducing its payload capacity.
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Yes, that’s my concern. I just took a look at the Rapido website and struggled to find any meaningful information there. It’s almost as though they don't want you to find out.

Ian
 
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bigtwin said:
I know that there are a few brands that generally don’t fare well when it comes to payload, particularly if plated at 3500Kg.

Any views on how Rapido fare on this front (I have a relative considering one)?

Ian
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I'd suggest your relative should take their C1 licence and then buy a proper motorhome.

Anything plated at 3500kg is unlikely to have the 400kg payload needed for two people.
 
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Most vans over 6.5m on a 3500kg chassis won't have a very useable payload.

As for manufacturers all of them have some vans in their range that are unusable with the given payload some of the worst being Bailey & Autotrail.
 
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bigtwin said:
Yes, that’s my concern. I just took a look at the Rapido website and struggled to find any meaningful information there. It’s almost as though they don't want you to find out.

Ian
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The problem is that going over 3500kg without a c1 license will be illegal and invalidate insurance. It’s a critical issue that all dealers should make buyers aware of. The problem is you are unlikely to be able to get a MH to a weigh bridge until after purchase, then it’s too late.

Late last year within the space of a week or so I saw MHs being pulled over and checked, A38 just outside Gloucester and the A40 outside Ross on Wye. Just to say those checks do happen.
 
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bigtwin said:
It’s almost as though they don't want you to find out.
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Remember even if they tell you what it is, they are allowed to be ± 5% For example if the MIRO is given as 3000kg you might think that your 3.5t van has 500kg payload, which is just enough for an average couple.

However their legal 5% fudge could mean that your actual payload is only 350kg which is definitley not enough for the average couple. Buyer beware. Get it weighed.

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Brains said:
I'd suggest your relative should take their C1 licence and then buy a proper motorhome.
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He has a Class 1 licence.

Brains said:
Anything plated at 3500kg is unlikely to have the 400kg payload needed for two people.
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At this stage I don’t know what it’s plated at, hence my initial query.

Ian
 
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Jim said:
However their legal 5% fudge could mean that your actual payload is only 350kg which is definitley not enough for the average couple. Buyer beware. Get it weighed.
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Carthago are well known for that, a safe bet that their vans will be 130 kg over specified MIRO, it's too consistent not to be a payload cheat. With modern materials and construction methods their no reason the weight should vary by more than a few kilos.

Hymer's on the other hand are pretty much spot on.
 
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bigtwin said:
Yes, that’s my concern. I just took a look at the Rapido website and struggled to find any meaningful information there. It’s almost as though they don't want you to find out.

Ian
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The info is there you just need to download the technical guide.
 
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bigtwin said:
Ahh, I stopped short of giving them my details. 👍

Ian
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I just put a load of x's & c's in the boxes.

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To give you a real life example. We were looking at getting an A class and found one that fitted the wish list. It was plated at 3650. I contacted the dealer and asked if there was sufficient payload to put a Vespa in the garage. The salesman said yes, knowing the full spec of the van which included, hab AC, sat dish, microwave, solar etc. I also said we were going to get self levelling fitted and would use the van off grid as well. He also added that the 200 plus litre water tank would also help this.

So we bought the van had the extras fitted, (not by the dealer) including a tow bar, 360 cameras and hard drive. We then took a trip to the weighbridge fully loaded with water, scooter, us, clothes and supplies. It tipped the scales at 3960. It was very quickly up plated to 4460. Thankfully we both have c1.

This is a van that can be bought with a 3500 limit.
 
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bigtwin said:
Yes, that’s my concern. I just took a look at the Rapido website and struggled to find any meaningful information there. It’s almost as though they don't want you to find out.

Ian
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THEY DONT - is the honest answer
 
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It's a big issue. I have to say I was pretty ignorant of weights/payloads/MIRO back in the day. We've had a selection of motorhomes, and once had a Burstner 747 (we have C1) that had a huge payload. Now we are at the other end of the scale with an Adria Twin 640 SLB due soon. First trip will be to the weigh bridge to get some 'real' figures to work with. Our last was a Challenger Vany PVC which was actually under the MIRO weight quoted by the company. As well as this forum, I'd suggest seeking out a specialist group and asking questions there. I've joined the Adria Twin Facebook group which is an excellent source of information. Not that this forum is not!! I'm sure there are now specialist groups for many brands/models these days.
 
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I would not say salesmen dont know about payloads, but i would say they are reluctant to tell you, for certain one or both is true, its simple to appreciate, as stated in previous posts vans are getting heavier and its not in THEIR interests to alert you to a MH on their forcourt that has lousy payloads. But Manufactureres are being pushed down a narrow one way road and thanks to the EU nobody after 1997 automatically gets C1, and us old buggers are all going to fall off our perches. Leaving those behind us wondering what to do . And no information as to what to do.
 
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Is it conceivable that with driver, wife and kids, that just driving it off the forecourt after completing the purchase that you could be over the weight limit assuming the new owner does not have a C1 and limited to 3500kg.
 
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Our A Class Rapido 886f weighed in at 3620kg in weekend away order with the wife and I in it. So over the stated 3500kg. Doubt if you'd get an A-Class that will stay under the 3500kg. Easy enough to uprate it to 3700kg.

Will say Rapido's are seriuosly good vans.
 
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Bernie P said:
Our A Class Rapido 886f weighed in at 3620kg in weekend away order with the wife and I in it. So over the stated 3500kg. Doubt if you'd get an A-Class that will stay under the 3500kg. Easy enough to uprate it to 3700kg.

Will say Rapido's are seriuosly good vans.
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Interesting, it’s an 883F that they’re considering.👍

Ian
 
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This is of course a recurring topic. As I understand it few French drivers have more than a 3,500kg entitlement. With Rapido being a French manufacturer they clearly have French requirements in the middle of their field of vision. Many continental drivers travel overloaded for the 3,500kg limit.

If an upgrade is only a paper exercise the van before and after is exactly the same. And even if some changes are made the van is the same but for those changes. So from a mechanical and real safety perspective it would be identical. So an identical van could be plated at 3,500 or higher.

Then I think it becomes a balance of risk question in one's relationship with 'authority'.

Risk of being overweight on 3,500 plated chassis: fines, maybe forced to reduce weight before continuing, possibly-maybe-if-they-weigh-me-after-an-accident insurance issues.

'Risk' of upgrading: different speed limits, having to advertise yourself using 'angles morts' stickers, breaking the law if you don't and then possibly-maybe-if they-look being caught in 3.5 ton areas where you're not allowed, inability to use simpler toll systems in eg Switzerland and toll tags across the continent, potential problems with needing to renew C1.

In the first category one has the "oh shucks, sorry, didn't realise" defence. This is the default position of most motorhomers who never weigh their vans. (Have I ever overloaded my car? Who knows?)

In the second category, if you're stopped, you lack this defence. You know your van is plated higher and that you didn't comply with the laws.

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If the MIRO was based on a basic MH (in reality something that is impossible to buy retail) you have to take into account the additional "packs" you need to make it usable, followed by the optional extras including dealer fit ones like the awnings. Plus your TV. It all adds weight and reduces payload.
 
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SpeedyDux said:
If the MIRO was based on a basic MH (in reality something that is impossible to buy retail) you have to take into account the additional "packs" you need to make it usable, followed by the optional extras including dealer fit ones like the awnings. Plus your TV. It all adds weight and reduces payload.
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The other problem is MIRO varies from company to company. For example the MIRO for our new Adria Twin 640 SLB (when it arrives.....) is 2910kg and this includes, driver (75kg), 90% diesel, 20% water, 16kg gas cylinder, tool kit and mains cable. I'm quite sure if I looked at Buerstner, Detleffs, Autotrail, etc. etc. I'd find many variations of what is included in MIRO.
 
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