Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass\u00a0<\/strong> (Sometimes called GVWR) – this is the maximum weight of the vehicle when fully loaded.<\/p>\n So taking one from the other we arrive at the available payload.\u00a0 GVWR – MIRO = Payload.<\/strong><\/p>\n To work out how much weight (Payload) you have available before adding your own personal things you must find out the weight of\u00a0all the items you added BEFORE<\/strong> leaving the dealer, such as awning, extra battery, upgraded engine, auto gearbox etc.\u00a0\u00a0 Usually manufacturers will publish the weight of their options and this should be used as a guideline.\u00a0 This total weight (lets call it Adjusted MIRO) should be noted as you will refer to it throughout your ownership of your motorhome.\u00a0 Take this figure away from the GVWR\u00a0and this becomes the available payload you have to work with.<\/p>\n Next you need to add up the weight of all the items for your trip away, such as pots and pans, clothes, food, bikes, dogs and most importantly the wife and kids.\u00a0\u00a0 What I do is add in the essentials and then take the camper along to our local weighbridge and get a weight printout. \u00a0\u00a0Its usually the small things that add up such as BBQ, table, recliners,bikes, books etc. \u00a0These can add up to several hundred kgs and when you add on solar panels, inverters, sat dish, TV microwave and toaster then you can begin to see the problem.\u00a0 This can then be used for future trips as if the weight certificate shows I’m well under my limit then its hardly likely to change much over the coming trips.\u00a0 If I’m at or over my limit then I need to comb through and remove any items that I hope I can manage without.\u00a0 Unfortunately if you are in the category of near or over limit then more frequent trips to a weighbridge may be necessary.<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>:\u00a0 If you are near or over your limit then look at the amount of fresh water you are carrying and reduce that to a minimum for travelling.\u00a0 Water weighs 1kg per litre.<\/p>\n Unfortunately that’s not the whole problem. \u00a0Every camper is issued with a weight plate, usually found riveted inside the habitation door or inside the bonnet. \u00a0This plate is very important and it gives the following information:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first figure is:-<\/p>\n Max weight<\/strong>: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>6000kg\u00a0This is the maximum weight allowed\u00a0with all items loaded.<\/p>\n Train Weight:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 9000kg This is the maximum weight of the camper plus the trailer<\/p>\n Front Axle weight<\/strong>: \u00a0 \u00a02300kg \u00a0This is the maximum weight that can be placed on the \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 front axle.<\/p>\n Rear Axle(s) weight<\/strong>: \u00a04650kg This is the maximum weight on the rear axle. \u00a0In the case \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 of Alko chassis were there can be two axles the weight is given \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 for each axle individually and shown as 3 on the plate.<\/p>\n Not shown on this particular plate is the:-<\/p>\n Towing limit:<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 This is the maximum weight of a trailer that can be towed. This is either on the plate or written in the camper handbook.\u00a0 The Train Weight limit is not necessarily the same weight as the Maximum Weight plus\u00a0the Towing Weight,\u00a0 Some chassis have a higher maximum towing weight limit than the difference between the Train Weight and maximum weight, however the Train Weight limit is the Legal Limit you should work to.\u00a0 Does that make sense?<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0<\/strong> In almost all cases you will note that the sum of both front and rear axle maximum weights exceeds the maximum weight shown on the first line.\u00a0 This does NOT<\/strong> mean you can load each axle to its maximum limit and be ok – The vehicle maximum limit is the one that applies<\/p>\n As you can see its not straight forward. \u00a0You can have an instance where the overall weight is within limits but one or the other axle can be overloaded.<\/p>\n Public Weighbridge<\/strong>: \u00a0Throughout the country there are hundreds of public weigh bridges and these are open to members of the public. \u00a0Owners of camper vans can take their campers to these weigh bridges and for around \u00a35 can have them weighed. \u00a0The process is very simple. \u00a0You drive the front wheels on to the scales, stop and the operator signals once the axle weight has been recorded. \u00a0Then you drive on to the scales completely, stop, and the operator weighs the entire camper. \u00a0Once that has been recorded you drive forward until the front axle is off the scales and the rear axle remains. \u00a0This weight is recorded and you drive completely off. \u00a0The operator gives you the certificate.<\/p>\n Sadly that is not the end of the saga. \u00a0Your driving license comes into the equation. \u00a0Depending on when you passed your driving test will determine the maximum weight you are allowed to drive. \u00a0For full details consult the DVLA website. \u00a0Broadly speaking if you passed your motor car test before Jan 1997 then you are allowed to drive vehicles up to 7500kgs, however if you passed your car driving test after Jan 1997 then you are limited to 3500kgs.<\/p>\n I have been campaigning for some time now to introduce a voluntary code of practice whereby dealers issue every motorhome that leaves their forecourt with a weight certificate showing the adjusted MIRO and available payload for both new and secondhand campers.\u00a0 This would really help new owners to better understand what payload they have to play with.\u00a0 Remember Insurance companies will not pay out in the event of an accident if they discover that the policy holder has been driving their vehicles when overweight.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>In the eyes of the Law, ignorance is no excuse.<\/p>\n Sadly all my efforts have fallen on deaf ears as all the dealers realise that to provide a weight certificate for every motorhome that leaves their premises would result in many lost sales as prospective owners would not buy many campers knowing they would be overweight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It amazes me at times when I see campers offered for sale new from manufacturers with an advertised payload of around 200kgs.\u00a0 I get frightened when I here owners asking on forums “what is payload” or “how do I know … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.vennwood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/Weight-plate2.jpg\" "\\"Weight")
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