Vehicle Weight

[Shell181]

Hi everyone, just thought I would update you on our search. We went to quite a few dealers yesterday looking for the layout that would suit us. We found 2 which we really liked the layout of (differing from some of our requirements again lol). The Laika Ecovip 400 and the Luna Roadstar 726.

 

We are resticted to 3500 Kg Vehicle Weight as hubby is a diabetic.I have been searching frantically today to find out what these MH's are and cannot find what I need. What is this information called please when looking at advertisements on the internet because I understand it all but when looking for the info it doesn't seem to be as simple as 'vehicle weight' is it known as something else that it may be under?. Does anyone know please?

 

I suspect if I do get any answers that it won't be what we want to hear lol because they are the layout we would like, but at least I can stop thinking about them then !

 

Thanks for any help

 

Shell

 

 

 

[Randonneur]

Mass in running order 3.016 Kg

Maximum authorized weight 3.500 Kg

Max. payload (approx.): 484 Kg

 

The above details are taken from a Laika Kreos Specification.

 

The Mass in Running order should be the weight it comes out of the factory. This is usually taking in to account the driver and fuel but not always.

 

The Maximum authorised weight is what you can go up to.

 

The Maximum payload is the difference between the 2, i.e. 484 kg.

 

What you are after is a Maximum authorised weight of 3500 kg and the largest payload you can find because anything you add to your motorhome you will have to deduct from this.

 

These are only recommendations and as most people will tell you that you should ideally take your motorhome to a weighbridge to have it weighed properly.

[Shell181]

Thanks Stalwart, oh my goodness does that mean the Laika Ecovip 400 is within our restrictions then ???? !!!!!! Getting a bit excited lol !!!!

[Randonneur]

If you could give more information about this Laika it might help, such as year, model and vehicle base. The one I could find was a 1999 on an Iveco.

[david lloyd]

Hi shell

 

The best way to ensure any vehicle is within the 3500kgs weight limit you seek is to check the plate - usually found underneath the bonnet or on one of the door pillars - which will give the Maximum Authorised Mass (also known as Maximum Authorised Weight or Gross Vehicle Weight) then the maximumweight the front axle can be loaded to and then the rear axle (axles if there are two at the rear) weight.

 

There can be differences between models made by the same manufacturer/converter and it is vital that you know the weight of the actual vehicle that you are interested in.

 

Simplest way to check the two you are interested in is to ring the dealership and ask them to confirm the weights on the plate for you. In future, you can always just check it when looking at any vehicle you like.

 

David

[Shell181]

Hi

 

The one we were looking at was a 2003 for £29,995 Laika Ecovip 400. Sorry that is all the info I have and the dealer is closed now. We wouldn't buy this one as we we can't go over £25,000 and also it hadn't been looked after very well. We are looking at older models really, anything upwards from year 1990, the price will be the decider. I just thought I would be able to come home and put 'Laika Ecovip 400' into a search engine to find out if its below 3500kg or not so hubby could drive it. Not that simple is it lol. Can the weights change then depending on what year they are please?

 

 

 

[Clive]

"Mass in running order 3.016 Kg" Believe it only when you see it on a weighbridge ticket that you have obtained personally.

 

Don,t forget that any extras like awning for example or satellite TV and you and any passengers will all detract from your payload.

 

Take care

 

C.

 

[Shell181]

Hi David, must have been typing at the same time and you just got in before me lol. The problem I'm having is hubby is away a lot so I am doing a lot of research on the internet looking at different models and makes trying to find the right layout for us and they don't always tell you the weight etc.

 

Thanks, and I will stay happy lol :-D

 

Shell

 

[Shell181]

Thanks Clive its quite sad and a bit scary really when you can't believe the plate because they can get changed..........

[Guest Tracker]

Assuming we are talking Fiat / Peugeot base vehicle here?

 

In which case the later 2.0td, 2.0td, 2.3td and 2.8td engines in their various manifestations are far and away more refined than the earlier 2.5td and 1.9td engines and no more thirsty.

 

Not that there is owt wrong with the 2.5 - as long as it has a turbo - but it can best be described as 'agricultural' rather than 'commercial' whilst the 1.9 is not known for it's pulling power!

[Shell181]

Just remembered if this helps - its the one with the drop down bed, dinette and I think the kitchen is at the back ????? lol this was only yesterday that we looked at it, took some pics of different ones and don't know which is which now lol - yes its natural blonde - dizzy !

 

Note to oneself - make sure you get all the information and write it down when you go round looking at mh's. Look under the bonnet to make sure hubby can drive it lol, I've learnt my lesson lol

[mike 202]

Best advice I can give is to weigh it empty before you sign anything, my own van should have 528 kg of user payload, but on taking it to a weighbridge, I seem to have lost 150kg to the manufaturers tolerance of 5% of 3000 i.e. 150 kg. So here I am in Spain without lots of bits that I need. Have spoken to a few other long termers and thay have had similar problems. I could have it replated, BUT why should I.

please be carefull.

[Shell181]

Thanks for the advice Mike

 

Shell

:-D

[Brian Kirby]

Shell181 - 2010-04-18 5:21 PM Thanks Clive its quite sad and a bit scary really when you can't believe the plate because they can get changed..........

The plate is the official record of the maximum mass the vehicle may weigh (Its MAM).  The plate in question is the VIN plate on which the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number, or chassis number), is shown.  It is usually, as stated, under the bonnet, often on a front cross member, and is riveted in place.  It also, as stated above, gives the maximum permissible load for each axle, and the total permissible weight the vehicle plus any trailer may weigh - the Gross Train Weight.  The plated weight can only be altered following specialist assessment of the vehicle, and the details in the V5C (logbook) have to be altered to match.

The VIN plate does not show the unladen weight because, as Clive says, that will vary according to the vehicle's individual specification.  The only way to establish the unladen weight is to first check what is already in the vehicle (because unladen means literally that), and then get it to a weighbridge and get it weighed, getting the weights on both axles at the same time.  Compare all these to the VIN plate figures, and you will see what margin there is.

I reckon that for practicality you will need around 750Kg difference between unladen and MAM for two people.  However, it is better if you can calculate payload based on a full water tank, full fuel tank, and full gas cylinder/s.  If you can do this, aim for 600Kg.  You will be amazed how many vans have inadequate payloads, especially larger sized vans with 3,500Kg MAM.  For simplicity, you need to be looking at vans of around 6 metres overall length, maybe up to 6.5 metres.

[Shell181]

Thanks for the information Brian, it was very interesting reading, I am learning so much about motorhomes from all the people from this website it is brilliant and you are all so very helpful :-D