Is it worth upgrading the GVW to 3650kg?

Scoota and Dixie
Scoota and Dixie Forum Participant Posts: 18
edited November 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I have been told by the dealer that I am buying our new motorhome through that I can upgrade the GVW of it from 3500kg to 3650kg. i hold a C+E licence so no issue with exceeding the 3500kg threshold but is it worth doing? And are there any drawbacks to doing
so?

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    I suppose it might depend on how generous the payload is at 3500kgs? 

    David

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #3

    You can never have enough payload. If your some way off 70 go for it. It will also turn the vehicle into a PHGV with a lower VED than one of 3500KGms.

    peedee

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #4

    the main downside will be access to some town centres (france for example) where limits of 3.5t can be quite common. if you are somone who doesnt take the van into these places it might not be an issue.

    also, there are restrictions/costs with travelling through some european countries (eg Austria, Switzerland) of using specific (types of?) motorways.....(not an expert here, but about to become one....)

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited November 2016 #5

    Some toll fees and resrictions in the UK will apply. For example, the Mersey Tunnel fee will rise from £1.70 to £3.40. Youl will not be allowed to use the Birkenhead Tunnel. Some UK roads have 3.5 ton limits. You may have to downplate the van at a future
    date because of licensing restrictions.

    None of these potential issues should stop you from going for the higher weight. If you need the additional payload, do it. If you don't, then it can be done at a later time if necessary. Depends on whether there is an additional cost for the higher weight
    and what you are getting for the price eg bigger tyres.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    Agree some tolls will be higher but you can mostly avoid paying these. Weight restrictions in towns largely apply to goods vehicles although I do general respect them unless I have a destination within the restriction.

    peedee

  • H B Watson
    H B Watson Forum Participant Posts: 183
    edited November 2016 #7

    Technically there are 3.5t restrictions but in practice I believe it's aimed at lorries, I've never been asked anything regarding weights, ever, anywhere.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #8

     If your some way off 70 go for it.

    What has age 70 got to do with it?  C+E can be continued past 70 years of age.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
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    edited November 2016 #9

    Once you reach 70 you need a medical to keep the licence but otherwise it should not be a problem.

    What we do not know is what loading allownce you have so not clear how useful increasing the weights would be. At the end of the day it is probably a good idea but you need to check if you can use it.

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited November 2016 #10

    I would say that it is worth it but would add that it is the rear axle that can limit the MTPM. If the rear axle is close to its limit at 3500kg then 3650kg may not be achievable.

  • Scoota and Dixie
    Scoota and Dixie Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited November 2016 #11

    According to the brochure the weight of the unit is 3122 kgs and I'm guessing it weighs more than this with the accessories etc. So the upgrade is probably worth doing, although I should check the axle limit to be safe. 

    Does anybody know if I will have to pay more money for Eurotunnel or French tolls if it is over 3500kgs or do they just class it as a motorhone and is the same cost regardless of weight?

    thanks.

  • JimE
    JimE Club Member Posts: 353 ✭
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    edited November 2016 #12

    We have an 8 metre 4250kg motorhome and Eurotunnel still class it as a "Campervan".  

    We are charged Class 2 rates on the French Autoroutes, although the tariff says we should pay Class 3. Smile  I believe you only get charged Class 3 rates if you are over 3 metres high, are a twin axle or are towing.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #13

    According to the brochure the weight of the unit is 3122 kgs and I'm guessing it weighs more than this with the accessories etc. So the upgrade is probably worth doing, although I should check the axle limit to be safe. 

    Does anybody know if I will have to pay more money for Eurotunnel or French tolls if it is over 3500kgs or do they just class it as a motorhone and is the same cost regardless of weight?

    thanks.

    ignore the brochure and weigh the van fully loaded, noting (as Peegeenine says) the axle weights....

    with a paper upgrade, you only get a higher overall limit, the axle limits do not change....

    for a std Fiat Ducato 35 'light' chassis these will be 1850kg front and 2000kg rear.

    for example, if your rear axle is loaded at (say) 1950kg, upgrading to 3650kg overall will not change this limitation.

    so, weigh the van first before spending money on something that wont help you...

    tnere may be technical changes that can increase the axle weights bit these will be (even) more expensive than the paper upgrade....Happy

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