Motorhome weight

sj wales
sj wales Forum Participant Posts: 17
edited March 2016 in Motorhomes #1

Hi All

Can some one inform me of the maximum weight and length motorhome I can legally drive on a standard UK driving licence passing my test in the year 2000 ?

Am I correct in thinking it's 3.5t ? If so is that fully laden with passengers and accessories or is it just the motorhome itself weighing 3.5t ?

Regards 

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    3.5t is the all up max weight unless you take another test

  • sj wales
    sj wales Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited March 2016 #3

    Thanks JVB66

    Just to clarify anything over 3.5t wether it's pushed over by passengers , accesories etc would be illegal on my current licence , yes ?

    Regards 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #4

    YesSurprised

  • sj wales
    sj wales Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited March 2016 #5

    Ohh dear , anyone looking for a 6 berth motorhome Don't cry

  • thebroons
    thebroons Forum Participant Posts: 165
    edited March 2016 #6

    Ohh dear , anyone looking for a 6 berth motorhome Don't cry

    Sit the appropriate test and keep the motorhome. 

  • sj wales
    sj wales Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited March 2016 #7

    I'm guessing the appropriate test is expensive ? 

    Anyone ne sat the test , any idea on a rough cost ?

  • NET SUKE
    NET SUKE Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2016 #8

    Have a look at websites for local PCV/HGV training centres, maybe ring them for advice.  I would guess it will be cost effective to take the training/test, rather than perhaps lose money in depreciation on 'van.

  • PaulandKate
    PaulandKate Forum Participant Posts: 64
    edited March 2016 #9

    Hi our cousin has just had the same problem bought a mh bang on 3.5t and didn't consider the user.payload 

    He had his downgraded definitely had smaller wheels put on and I think the tow bar stuff removed and the wind out awning then took it to a council weigh bridge then got a new weight plate through vosa I think 

    It can be done just upto you what you'd take off the mh 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2016 #10

    By the way, it's not the actual weight that counts for driving licence entitlement purposes, but the plated maximum.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #11

    By the way, it's not the actual weight that counts for driving licence entitlement purposes, but the plated maximum.

    ...true, but its the actual weight that determines whether you've gone overweight on a category you're licensed for...

    as Lutz says, our van is played at 4250kg, but weighs much less..

    even if it weighed less than 3500 kg, the OP is not allowed to drive it....

  • Doug n San
    Doug n San Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited March 2016 #12

    Motorhome weight is a can of worms that should not be opened, as an example, there was a man who bought a new motorhome in the UK that was converted by a well known converter. On his way home with the loverly new MH he spotted a weigh bridge and decided
    to pull in and check how much capasity he had for all the extras,

    To his horror he found he was alreadu over the 3.500 KG and was not legal on the road. he turned round and took the MH back to the dealer and returned it.

    Th morel of the story is that there ar thousends of MH both on in the UK and on the continent that are over the limit and if you have a MH bigger that 5 meters you may have one of them.

     

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited March 2016 #13

    Agree it is a can of worms, but the secret to keeping it closed is to do plenty of research and check out what the salesman tells you. Also remember that everything added to the MH from the options list is taken off the payload. Most 3.5tonne MHs are only
    suitable for a couple.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #14

    wise wordsHappy

    if on 3.5t, a weighbridge ticket (either unladen or fully loaded) should be part of the sale documentation as payloads can be marginal (if not non-existant) and many buyers unaware of the potential for (legal and financial) disaster....

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