Guest RonB Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Does anyone know of any publication that gives the spare payload available on each individual axle (in addition to overall payload)when new motorhomes are tested? This is something I find missing from the normal road tests and something I feel is of fundamental immportance in the buying decision. It's been suggested that this is difficult for testers as each vehicle of the same model will differ on the equipment carried when tested. However, It cannot be that difficult to devise a common weighing formula and then make allowances for equipment differences - it's already done with overall payload/habitation allowances. The figures arrived at need not be a hundred percent accurate, as indeed manufacturers figures on payload or fuel consumption cannot be, but it would provide an extremely useful guide. How many times do we see requests from owners wishing to know if their motorhome is capable of taking a scooter on the back, to name but one concern? I know we are getting into leverage weights here but basic figures would be far better than those given now. I also feel someone will suggest taking individual vehicles to a weighbridge, with the dealers permission of course, but the figures are needed long before this point is reached to narrow the search. Give us the figures and we can do the sums ourselves. Regards Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Madge Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Ron, I think you will find that the MMM road testers don't take the vehicles anywhere near a weighscale/weighbridge during the road test. I think it might cause a controversy as many stated payloads are just a figure of imagination on the part of the manufacturer. When I bought my Timberland the payload was nowhere near the figure stated in the brochures. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pat Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Hi Ron, Only sure way to tell axel weights is to take the vehicle to somewhere that has axel weighing facilities as weighing one axel on the edge of a large weighbridge can not surely be that accurate can it? Most lgv testing stations have such bridges wether they would allow such weighings I don't know! Also the weight of the axels has to be taken WITH both driver and/or any passengers carried, so the more well built of us will suffer a reduced payload!!! I also believe that the Police and VOSA (the old Ministry of Transport) are carring out more sepcialised spot checks targeting motorhomes and caravans there was one about 3 months ago on Rownham Services on the M27, they were using special weighing pads on each wheel of the vehicles! Whilst I presume real criminals were busy doing what they do totally uninterupted (still thats anther story, don't need politics on the forum do we Tony S?) Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PeteC Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 The only information that you will be able to obtain without reverting to a weighbride is Max gross weight Front & rear axle max weights Max train weight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RonB Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Don I think you are right (I am not singling out MMM)which is why I asked the question.I still think the published answer might be out there somewhere. Regards Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Ord Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 It's best to regard published payloads with caution. Until I bought my Rapido 924 with 3850kg payload I'd never dared to venture near a weighbridge. We usually use our van on the continent and mostly use aires and usually travel with full water tanks and we have the usual extras for this mode, extra batteries, solar panel, bike rack and bikes etc. I took the van to our local weighbridge when leaving on our last trip and here are the results; total weight 3600kg,front 1650kg, rear 1950. This was with full fresh water tank (120litres) three quartes full fuel myself and my wife and one bike on the rack. If the van had been the standard 3500kg I would have been overloaded. Not much room there for a scooter for instance! Our previous van was an Autotrail Cheyenne with a maximum load of 3400kg, I know I was always overloaded but what real option is there except to severely limit the payload to the point where the van isn't fit for the purpose you intend. It's easy to be wise after the event and I've finally bought a van that keeps me legal but I do think testers could, no should include a weighbride test with fuel and water and a passenger and a weight equal to typical real life travel mode Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PeteC Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Find the 'VIN@ Plate Look in the engine compartment or drivers door well That gives the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brian Kirby Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 I'm with Ron. Excellent idea. MMM tests should include a pass over the weighbridge, to clarify the usable free load, with resulting front and rear axle allowances clearly stated. This information is not easily discovered. I asked before I bought, and got an answer. However, when I visited a weighbridge the ticket didn't bear much resemblance to the manufacturer's figure. Furtunately the overall weight was OK and, although the individual axles differed, the front was heavier and the rear lighter, which was beneficial. Don't know what I'd have done if it had been the other way round, though! All manufacturers are allowed, I think, a 5% tolerance on their published weights - so they shouldn't get too stuffy about it. But even as little as 5% of 3.4 tonnes is 170 Kg, so if it's overweight from the works you've lost that from your load allowance straight away! Notwithstanding, it does seem to me that the individual axle weights are far more critical to legal use than the overall weight. Hands up all those who've overlaoded their front axles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Madge Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Brian, I'll mail your comments to Dave Hurrell the road test editor for an opinion and I'll post his reply as and when. Regards Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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