Uprating the "Weight Plate"

Hi FB,

I've ordered a new Bailey 75-4 and the dealer is updating to 3850kg for free. I have seen dealers advertise this service for £140. My dealer agreed to do this as part of the deal.

I agree with the earlier post that 3500 does not provide enough payload on the larger Bailey's.  

Apperley, please realise that uprating the overall MTPLM to 3650 or even 3850 does NOT increase the axle weights...

you (one) may well be under the MTPLM but over on one of the axles, and in the case of the rear heavy, large overhang Baileys, it will undoubtedly be the rear axle going over 2000 kg.

hence my advice that the van (your actual van) should be weighed as you will be marginal to say the least.

manufacturers are also 'allowed' to be +\- 5% on their weights, on a 3t MIRO weight thats 150kg. if 'your' van weighs heavy, then this will only exacerbate the problem.

many vans at 7.5m with a long rear overhang run on the 'heavy' 4250 kg chassis which gives a much higher rear axle limit....2400 kg, from memory.

again, i don't post this to scare anyone, but the Achile's heel of this type of van is the poor payload a d marginal rear axle capacity....

upgrading the MTPLM only masks the issue, it certainly doesnt address it.

Thanks Boleroboy, I do understand your point. Worth you pointing out.

I know first hand of the rear axle issue. My 3500kg Bolero can be uprated to 3700kg (stage 2 Al-Ko vin plate), but with 2 bikes on the back and a full tank of water (100kg) I am over weight on my rear axle. Up rating to 3700kg will make no difference so in my case there is little to be gained. When I travel with bikes I just carry about 20ltrs of water.

....and the Bailey is another half metre longer....most behind the rear axle (the wheelbase might be fractionally longer)...

a van i looked at has an unladen weight of only 2650kg, MIRO around 2830kg..you'd think it was simple to run legally at 3500kg....not so.....

no rear axle issues due to a different 'shape' van, but (with myriad extras) overweight at 3500kg all the same ....