Weights and payloads

We took our MH to the weigh-bridge when we got it, with full fuel, travelling water, full gas and us. This gave us figures to work with for both the total payload of 3.5 tonnes and axle loading. We weighed as we added what we needed for our tour,  then went back to the WB to check again. We were still inside our maximums and could travel with more water if needed, so very happy.

We've been strict weighers since day one. 

Everything that stays in the caravan is weighed before going into a new caravan. Then we take the maximum clothing and other variables that might go in, such as food etc. and weigh those. You get the idea.

We haven't had this caravan weighed on a weighbridge but did have our previous one done. That Lunar actually came out lighter than Lunar advertised and plated, giving us a bit better payload. I suspect that one of the reasons it fell to bits 18 months ago was not just the pothole I hit but the flimsiness of the unit itself. It delaminated badly, the day before Lunar went belly up!

This replacement is ideal for us as Coachman put it on a better axle that allows us 209kg Payload. Our maximum amount that we would take including motor mover etc only reaches 150kgs so we don't see any point in having it weighed officially. If it was a close run thing we would do.

I agree with your statement about all sorts of gear coming out of units at sites and I'm convinced that quite a lot of outfits are overweight or as near to 100% as dammit. However, you can still be just under and be safe. Depends on the driver.

No worries with mine, last time I checked it on a weighbridge I had just under a ton to spare but that was without my passenger and no water. Once things settle down I intend popping it along again for a check as I have added solar panels and hydraulic leveling since and one or two smaller items.

peedee

I agree entirely about poor user payloads.  In the future it will be the biggest single issue in my choice of a new caravan... (although I have no immediate plans).  The poor user payload is one of the main reasons I have a Landrover Discovery towing vehicle.  I could tow with a smaller, less powerful vehicle, but I need a large vehicle in order to carry equipment.  I'm not short of room in the caravan..... just short of weight capacity.

These days, I also book serviced pitches.  We don't take the wastemaster or aquaroll, but instead, we use the very small fold down Colapz 'Fresh-mini' and the flexi- waste pipes.  Saves on room.  We now carry all outside stuff in the car. Inside the van is just clothes, bedding, toiletries, towels and kitchen stuff. Cadac, electric lead, outside chairs/ table, rotary washing line, groundsheet, awning (when we bother), wheel chocks/levellers etc., together with the Colapz stuff.

David

I just stick my fingers in my ears & shout la al la .... Unladen weight of my caravan is 1600 & something and max is 1800 & something. My ML has a train weight of about 6.5 tonnes so try not to let it worry me when EmilysMum loads the cupboards .... 🤐

My up plated payload is around 300kg without digging out the paperwork for the exact figure, and you may well have seen me unloading the leccy bikes out of the caravan door both here and mainland Europe. OK, the batteries do ride in the car.

Having discovered that our last van (Bailey Barcelona) was 20kg over weight with just the basics in it (no food or clothes etc), I vowed that the next one would have a more realistic payload. That was one of the reasons I selected the Knaus, because with a payload of 365kg, I was fairly confident it would remove that worry of being overweight.  I still carry all the really heavy stuff in the car, but based on experience of what went into the last van and what goes into this one, I haven't yet felt the need to take it to the weigh-bridge.

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Yes as being one of many with the "Failed Axle" and you have overloaded the van with only the very basic stuff in it proves to me the very poor allowances now.

Like DSB now I have two large plastic boxes and all "extra's" like cadac,Avtex TV ramps Awning security locks all travel in the car.

I did have my van weighed with the stuff you cannot do without,like pots and pans,cups,plates and cutlery,extra gas cylinder,aquaroll and waste container.etc ect. only to find I have just 14kg left.

Surprise to me was the weight of the fixed bed duvet bedding pillows and security locks.

This in my mind,is all due to the motor mover eating so much of your payload allowance.

I loathe to say it,but if every van like mine has such low payloads, because a is MM fitted,there must be many many towing over their maximum.

UK caravan payloads are pathetic and totally unrealistic. By the time that a battery, mover and gas has been added, the payload has virtually disappeared. That's before you think about extra toys like solar, aircon, satellite dishes etc. I weighed my previous 4 berth caravan that had been up-plated to give me a theoretical 230Kg payload. It was just about sufficient for two without any aforementioned 'extra toys'. It's less of an issue now I have a MH but even then must be watched to remain within axle/gross plated limit of 3500Kg.