Payload Issues - Swift Lifestyle 530lp

[Drollie]

I am seeking advice regarding the above vehicle. I am considering changing my much loved 10 year old Starfire for the above, but am concerned about the low payload. I require to carry a couple of bikes along with all the ancillary kit that goes with daily cycling plus all the normal domestic trivia we seem to gather around us. Does anyone have experience of this vehicle similarly loaded? Any information would be greatly appreciated. (!)

[Guest Tracker]

Have you weighed your existing van fully laden in holiday mode and again empty. You will then know roughly what your own particular payload needs are and the adequacy or not of the successor is a simple adding up exercise.

 

Do be aware though that manufacturers payloads figure are sometimes optimistic so leave yourself a bit of margin and don't forget things like bikes, extra batteries and any extra accessories that you might want.

[Guest JudgeMental]

welcome to the forum! :-D

 

Tried a goggle search for this model and alarm bells started ringing, as quite a few for sale and water damaged ones amongst them...so be careful! *-)

 

could not find the info you are looking for. but don't forget to subtract any fitted extras from quoted payload as well.

 

my Goggle search threw up "spud" a member on here as owning one . So I would suggest a PM to him. and contact Swift as well.

 

But a van without a decent payload or storage is a real pain.

 

P.S. Good thinking from Richards as well. Also make a visit to a weighbridge a condition of sale....if they are unwilling go elsewhere :-D

[rupert123]

Drollie - 2008-11-05 5:45 PM

 

I am seeking advice regarding the above vehicle. I am considering changing my much loved 10 year old Starfire for the above, but am concerned about the low payload. I require to carry a couple of bikes along with all the ancillary kit that goes with daily cycling plus all the normal domestic trivia we seem to gather around us. Does anyone have experience of this vehicle similarly loaded? Any information would be greatly appreciated. (!)

 

I assume you mean the Sundance range, Swift seem to have dropped the 'Lifestyle' bit. If so to get a decent payload you will have to buy a 2008 model. They only had a payload of about 230kgs before this but it was uprated to 530kgs around March 2008. I have had two Swifts and the payloads quoted are quite good. They now give payloads that include 3/4 full water and fuel tanks so if you travel with fresh water tank never more than about a 1/4 full, as we do, then with a late model you will be fine.

[flicka]

Hi Drollie

Welcome to the forum.

The Swift 530LP is the base model, then there are dealer options (Lifestyle & Sundance that I am aware of, may be others.)

The payload weight will be determined by the age of the vehicle.

They are on the Fiat SWB 3000kg base. If it is before the 2006 model change the payload is c320kg, but if it is the new model it drops down to 220kg.

Alternatives are the Ace Capri & Bessacarr E410, all made by the Swift group in the same factory at Cottingham, nr Hull. Generally different fabrics on the seats .

The Bessacarr comes with some additional kit as standard so looses a few kg available payload.

Paylods are after allowance for driver, & 75% water, gas.

We have the "old" (pre- 2006 change) Bessacarr E410 which gives 315kg as available payload and have added Awning (adds 45kg) + 2 Bike Rack (for a folding wheelchair) I also have a "long box" made to take Fishing Rods which fits to the Bike Rack, (this adds 11kg with the rods)

With this set-up we can keep within the total 3000kg, but a 1/2 full waste water tank would put us very close to the limit.

So IMHO with the 2006 onward models at 220kg could be restrictive, unless you travel with empty water tanks & fill at destination.

 

Note: the pre 2006 model was available on the MWB 3500kg base as an option from new, not sure if the current model has this available.

Would be worth looking at Swift's website and click into each model as all the weights (& costs) are listed and it recalculated weights / costs as you select what options you want.

[Guest JudgeMental]

I'm sorry but a circa 200 kg payload is not fit for purpose and ridiculously restrictive. Add only a spare battery, awning, bikes & rack and there goes another 100kg straight away *-)

 

German standard "on the road" condition includes roughly, a driver @75kg :-D 100% fresh water, 90% Fuel and habitation gas as well 8-) Then what is left over is you payload. I would expect any sensible 3500kg van to have a 450kg payload and a little more if you travel with less water

[rupert123]

flicka - 2008-11-05 11:45 PM

 

Hi Drollie

Welcome to the forum.

The Swift 530LP is the base model, then there are dealer options (Lifestyle & Sundance that I am aware of, may be others.)

The payload weight will be determined by the age of the vehicle.

They are on the Fiat SWB 3000kg base. If it is before the 2006 model change the payload is c320kg, but if it is the new model it drops down to 220kg.

Alternatives are the Ace Capri & Bessacarr E410, all made by the Swift group in the same factory at Cottingham, nr Hull. Generally different fabrics on the seats .

The Bessacarr comes with some additional kit as standard so looses a few kg available payload.

Paylods are after allowance for driver, & 75% water, gas.

We have the "old" (pre- 2006 change) Bessacarr E410 which gives 315kg as available payload and have added Awning (adds 45kg) + 2 Bike Rack (for a folding wheelchair) I also have a "long box" made to take Fishing Rods which fits to the Bike Rack, (this adds 11kg with the rods)

With this set-up we can keep within the total 3000kg, but a 1/2 full waste water tank would put us very close to the limit.

So IMHO with the 2006 onward models at 220kg could be restrictive, unless you travel with empty water tanks & fill at destination.

 

Note: the pre 2006 model was available on the MWB 3500kg base as an option from new, not sure if the current model has this available.

Would be worth looking at Swift's website and click into each model as all the weights (& costs) are listed and it recalculated weights / costs as you select what options you want.

 

Sorry flicka, this post is not accurate. Do people never read previous answers before they confuse the issue for the person who asked the original question. The 530LP is called the Sundance by Swift and is not a dealer model. The various Swift and Bessecar models are now the same, the Bessacar has no extra's. The new models payload for the Sundance 530LP is over 500 kgs NOT 220kgs you quote. The new maximun weight is 3300kgs. I know the Swift website was still quoteing the old weights at one time, have not looked recently. The weights are front axle 1750kg, rear axle 1900kgs, total maximun payload 3300kgs.

[Drollie]

Thank you so much for your valuable advice, have followed most of it. Swift were unable to advise except to give the various weights, all of which I already knew. I am now planning a trip to the weigh-bridge but I have almost discounted the purchase. which is a disappointment as it really did tick all the boxes.

 

This is the first time I have used this forum and I would like say how grateful I am for the informed comment that I received. :-(

[enodreven]

Hi,

 

I know nothing about the vehicle you are talking about, but you may be interested in this link as they may be able to upgrade the weight if it turns out to be a problem.

 

http://www.svtech.co.uk/

 

hope this helps

[Brian Kirby]

braunston - 2008-11-06 10:12 AM Hi, I know nothing about the vehicle you are talking about, but you may be interested in this link as they may be able to upgrade the weight if it turns out to be a problem. http://www.svtech.co.uk/ hope this helps

In the nicest possible way, and with the very greatest of respect, this is a red herring.  If the base MAM is 3,300, all that can be achieved is to re-plate to a MAM equal to the sum of the front and rear axle maxima.  That gives a higher MAM, but it is theoretical, because both the front and rear axle maxima remain unchanged, and it is, in practical terms, impossible to load a motorhome to the new limit while respecting the maxima on both axles. 

While on about the axle loads, if Flicka's van is loaded as described, I do hope the rear axle load has been checked, because I'd suspect it is awfully close to it's limit, and quite possibly overloaded.

[mike 202]

Looked at the 530lp but discounted it due to weight limitations. Have Ford base now and love it. BUT irrespective of weight limitations " please please" be aware of juddergate as all Swift models and many others are based on Fiat.

Good luck with your search

[flicka]

rupert123 - 2008-11-06 9:57 AM

 

flicka - 2008-11-05 11:45 PM

 

Hi Drollie

Welcome to the forum.

The Swift 530LP is the base model, then there are dealer options (Lifestyle & Sundance that I am aware of, may be others.)

The payload weight will be determined by the age of the vehicle.

They are on the Fiat SWB 3000kg base. If it is before the 2006 model change the payload is c320kg, but if it is the new model it drops down to 220kg.

Alternatives are the Ace Capri & Bessacarr E410, all made by the Swift group in the same factory at Cottingham, nr Hull. Generally different fabrics on the seats .

The Bessacarr comes with some additional kit as standard so looses a few kg available payload.

Paylods are after allowance for driver, & 75% water, gas.

We have the "old" (pre- 2006 change) Bessacarr E410 which gives 315kg as available payload and have added Awning (adds 45kg) + 2 Bike Rack (for a folding wheelchair) I also have a "long box" made to take Fishing Rods which fits to the Bike Rack, (this adds 11kg with the rods)

With this set-up we can keep within the total 3000kg, but a 1/2 full waste water tank would put us very close to the limit.

So IMHO with the 2006 onward models at 220kg could be restrictive, unless you travel with empty water tanks & fill at destination.

 

Note: the pre 2006 model was available on the MWB 3500kg base as an option from new, not sure if the current model has this available.

Would be worth looking at Swift's website and click into each model as all the weights (& costs) are listed and it recalculated weights / costs as you select what options you want.

 

Sorry flicka, this post is not accurate. Do people never read previous answers before they confuse the issue for the person who asked the original question. The 530LP is called the Sundance by Swift and is not a dealer model. The various Swift and Bessecar models are now the same, the Bessacar has no extra's. The new models payload for the Sundance 530LP is over 500 kgs NOT 220kgs you quote. The new maximun weight is 3300kgs. I know the Swift website was still quoteing the old weights at one time, have not looked recently. The weights are front axle 1750kg, rear axle 1900kgs, total maximun payload 3300kgs.

 

Sorry Rupert, but your post was not there when I looked & I took some time composing my thread as I was checking my facts as I went along. So they are relevant, as I stated they were all based on the 3000kg MAM SWB models

 

When I looked at the Swift site around July, it was still showing the 3000kg SWB model, with an upgrade to 3500kg MWB available.

To clarify Sundance is a Swift designation, (my error) Lifestyle is a dealer model for Lowdhams, ditto Suntor for Brownhills.

The Swift website today shows the 3300kg chassis base vehicle and as the MAM increases by 300kg, likewise the payload increases by the same amount from 220kg (post 2006 model change) similarly to 535kg.

 

I fully understand Brian's concern regarding my payload , but I have a weighbridge certificate, and a printout of what I had onboard at the time.

I had done various case calculations before fitting my Fishing Rod Box & folding wheelchair (together weigh 21kg)

on the Bike Rack

I had 60 litres of fresh water in the tank, empty waste tank when weighed and have 37kg spare payload. Fortunately neither my wife or I weigh very much. :-o

So as these facts are for the pre-2006 model, with 315kg payload, the 2007/8 model with 220kg would be vary sparce on available payload.

Hope this clarifies the points raised.

 

[rupert123]

OK Flicka fair enough.