Jennyanddave Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 We have a 2001 Autocruise Stargazer and we're trying to establish its legal weight/carrying capacity. We've found the VID plate under the bonnet but the only other sticker we can find is on the driver's door frame which is printed in Italian! Does anyone know, would this be the converters sticker? Finding it all a bit confusing. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Does your VIN plate show four weight categories? If so, the first is the max weight of the vehicle, second is max train weight (when towing a trailer), third is max front axle and forth is max rear axle. The total of 3 & 4 must not exceed the max weight of the vehicle in item 1. Sometimes the VIN plate is left blank regarding the weights, in which case there should be a converters weight plate somewhere. The info in Italian might be recommended tyre pressures if it's a Fiat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Autocruise was a British firm so that is unlikely. it should be safe to assume that it is rated at 3.5 ton (it should say so on the plate and on the V5) As always it is best to take it to a weigh bridge and get accurate figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Hi, we have 2009 autocruise stargazer (one of the last, built by swift from the autocruise leftovers) ours weighed in fully loaded with bikes on rear last year just before our holiday at 3420 kg , and is rated at 3500 max. Load included all holiday junk and 2 adults, water and fuel full. . As suggested, taket it yournearest weighbridge/scrap metal yard and they will weigh it for you. tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I have a 2006 brochure and the 'MTPLM' ( Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass ) or 'Gross Vehicle Weight' (GVW) is 3400kg. The 'Mass in running Order' is 2829kg giving a Payload of 571kg. I know that Autocruise did increase the GVW and Payload of some models for the 2006 model year so yours maybe less but as previously mentioned the 'Rating Plate' on the vehicle will give the weights. Harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 As Harvey suggests, it’s not safe to assume that a 2001 Stargazer will have a Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) of 3500kg. On-line adverts reveal that late-1990s Stargazers had an MTPLM of well under 3000kg and this advert for a 2005 model quotes an MTPLM of 3400kg. http://carssoldquick.com/carsforsale/details.asp?intTypeID=6&intAdID=11547 For a 2001 Stargazer there should only be one VIN-plate and Jenny has found this under the bonnet. (There is the small possibility of the motorhome’s MTPLM having been uprated by a previous owner, but let’s ignore that!) The ‘look’ of a VIN-plate varies from vehicle manufacturer to manufacturer, but the format for the weight-limit data is standardised. There’s an example here: http://www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/how-to-calculate-your-motorhome%E2%80%99s-safe-weight-limits-4104/ The MTPLM figure on the VIN-plate is a simple legal limit, but the motorhome’s carrying capacity will depend on a number of factors. When Jenny’s Stargazer was built a ‘payload’ figure will have been specified in the Autocruise literature relating to the model. This figure will have been the result of subtracting from the MTPLM the vehicle’s Mass In Running Order (MIRO). The MIRO may have been quoted as the weight of the basic motorhome ex-factory with a near-full fuel tank and a 75kg allowance for a driver, or it may have included extra weight-related allowances for, say, gas and/or fresh-water. http://www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/30435-safe-loading-and-payloads However, more important than Autocruise’s payload figure stated in 2001 is knowing what the Stargazer weighs now when it’s loaded for normal use. That way Jenny will know how her Stargazer’s current real-world overall weight and axle weights compare with the VIN-plate maximum limits. http://www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/30441-how-to-weigh-your-van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyanddave Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 Thanks everyone. We'll be off to the weighbridge asap. Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyanddave Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 We have had air-ride suspension fitted. Does that increase your weight allowance? Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Jennyanddave - 2016-03-20 12:09 PM We have had air-ride suspension fitted. Does that increase your weight allowance? Jenny ===== No. Only if the vehicle was officially uprated. Just having air-ride fitted will not automatically increase the MTPLM. You really need to know what the MTPLM is, from the rating plate or other means, before getting the 'van weighed. Harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyanddave Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 How could you get your van replated? I've looked on DVLA's web site but can't find any instructions. Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 These earlier forum entries discuss uprating motorhome weight limits:. http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/search/query.asp?action=search&searchforumid=all&keywords=uprating&author=mel+b&days=&Submit=Search If you browse through them you should get a good idea of what’s involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyanddave Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Thanks very much :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyanddave Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Thanks very much :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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