New caravan weight plate upgrade

IanTG
IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
100 Comments
edited August 2016 in Caravans #1

been caravanning for about 4 years now, and thinking about buying a new one. I've noticed in some manufacturer's brochures, they mention a 'weight plate upgrade' at no cost. Am I right in assuming this is to increase payload? If so, what exactly does it
mean in terms of what is done to the caravan? Will it make ithe van heavier itself? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Any experiences or advice welcome.

Comments

  • Robster2007
    Robster2007 Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited August 2016 #2

    Hi IanTG

    It seems most caravans have a maximum weight but there also seems to be a secondary higher maximum weight that you can request an upgrade too.

    Normally goes through your dealer and all that happens is you get sent a new weight plate and that is it.

    I have just done it on mine and it added an extra 70Kg's to my maximum payload, just by sticking the new plate on the side of it!  :-)

    Well worth it if you are getting a mover and other bits fitted, I was down to 50Kg's of available payload until the upgrade, now I have 120Kg's.

    Robin

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited August 2016 #3

    Another example of the caravan industry over complicating the issue as far as I can see. The chassis builder gives an axle weight of say 1500Kgs the manufacturer then says on the spec the MPTLM is 1440Kgs but we can upgrade this to 1500Kgs (either free or
    at cost depending on your deal) No modifications have to be made except sticking a new weight plate over the existing plate we received ours six weeks after purchase and increased the MPTLM by 40 kgs not a lot but covers the mover, the upgrade varies from
    model to model.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited August 2016 #4

    Basicaly the manufacturers want to keep the maximum weight down  as a heavier weight might put off people with lighter cars even though the chassis can take more weight. For those happy to tow at a higher weight they offer the upgrade which usually means
    nothing more than a new plate although some may need higher spec tyres.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited August 2016 #5

    We upgraded ours, the cost was £50, but if you specify it when you order it is usually free.

    Not all vans can be upgraded, and sometimes the upgrade is only 5kg, so you do need to check whether it is worth it.  We got an extra 85kg.

    The only change on ours was a slight increase in the tyre pressures.

    As well as a new or different plate you should receive a new or different NCC certificate with the correct details.

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited August 2016 #6

    Been waiting for the upgrade label from Elddis for our 2014 Affinity for over 6 weeks as I didnt have it servced at an Elddis dealer I presume thats why the wait.

     

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited August 2016 #7

    I upgraded my Delta by 90 kg. It cost me £50. I did it due to adding a motor mover to both axles and a solar panel on the roof which left me with little payload. 

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited August 2016 #8

    Been waiting for the upgrade label from Elddis for our 2014 Affinity for over 6 weeks as I didnt have it servced at an Elddis dealer I presume thats why the wait.

     

    Write your comments here...We waited about 8 weeks for our plate from Swift. How can it possibly take this amount of time to print out a plate? Swift by name but not by nature. Cost was £60 for an extra 50kg

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