New motor home collection tips
Hi, we are collecting our new motor home on March 5th and have been advised that the process will take up to 2 hours with the dispatch team. Does anyone have any tips for when we're going through the proces? Things to ask or be aware of ect? This is our
first MH so any guidance from those of you who have been through it would be much appreciated. Thanks
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ypu will het tons of advice about things to check.....does the fidge, heater etc work on all fuels.......etc, etc...
however, have you and your dealer discussed payload? is your van on 3.5t chassis, are there just two of you?.....the salesman (and the brocure/handbook) will state a number which will undoubtedly be on the 'optimistic' side and, of marginal in the brochure,
will be 'difficult' in real life....so, my advice, get the vehicle weighed (with you all in it) as part of the sale/handover.....then you will know exactly what capacity you have for all the kit (bikes, chairs, tables, hoses, leads, boots, clothes, books, people, water, gas, etc, etc, etc)
that you will be carrying.....not so easy to resolve if you weigh the vehicle (which everyone should) a bit further down the line and you realise there isnt the payload you thought (were told) there was.....
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Good advice - thank you. It's listed as a 3,500 kg chassis with a 400kg payload which will be fine if the figures are accurate.
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Good advice - thank you. It's listed as a 3,500 kg chassis with a 400kg payload which will be fine if the figures are accurate.
.....a 400kg 'payload' if really the available capacity to you, might well be fine for two people.....however.....
despite the brochure stating '400kg payload' some are a bit backward in coming forward when revealing what has been included in the MIRO (mass in running order) ......
this 'should' include water and gas at 90% capacity, the driver at 75kg.....
some have been quoting MIRO with far less water (Elddis even with NO water in the tank....
nor will ANY of the extras/upgrade be allowed for....
so, allowing for non-included items etc, you could 'lose' payload for ALL of the following.....
engine upgrade, auto gearbox, any water over the quoted amount, a wind out awning, a tv aerial, a sat dish, a solar panel, a bike rack, a second gas bottle, any passengers, a second leisure battery etc etc....
all these items will EAT payload (water alone could be 100kg if you travel with a full tank and MIRO is stated with empty, or 20 ltrs which has become a popular amount) BEFORE you even think about loading up your essentials....
400 kg sounds a lot, take my word, it isnt......the brochure weight will be based on the lightest possible weight to 'emphasise' the payload......
i am not trying to 'scare' you in any way (rather just to raise awareness) however payload is usually the last thing people think about until they realise they are overloaded....
which van are you going for, ill have a look at the included MIRO data, also what extras (as listed above) will you have fitted to the van...
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Accept you won't remember everything. Take some post it notes that you can stick on to remind you of some of the things you are likely to forget.
Check you have the manuals for the van - habitation and mechanical - and for any appliances.
Make sure they show you everything is working and get them to fix anything that isn't.
Ensure all extras you wanted are fitted and the van is the one you ordered - it's not unknown to order a 150bhp engine and get a 130 or the Comfortmatic semi authomatic gearbox you paid for is missing.
Take photographs of the van - one can do this whilst the over is having a handover - worries the hell out of dealers!
Check tyre pressures and ask the dealer to explain what you should be running at. Then in the near future, get off to a weighbridge, weigh the van, and get the tyre manufacturer to conform tyre pressures - search on the web to understand how to do this.
Check the van over before you pay.
And be aware that an empty van can rattle a lot. Try and find the causes without endengering your safety. Remember it's a van, not a car so it will feel different uness you have driven vans before.
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Ok thank you - all understood. It's a Chausson 718 EB Welcome on the Fiat Ducato base. Extras added are engine upgrade from 130 to 150, Thule Omnistor 4m awning, Fiamma bike rack. It has the VIP pack and the winter pack. Not had a roof mounted aerial as
yet as can't decide which way to go. Had the Necvox on the VW T5 which will do us for no. It's just the 2 of us and a small dgo (9k). I hear what you're saying about 400kg sounding a lot but in reality I think we will need to careful.Have started writing a list of questions to ask on the handover- like the photos idea. Thanks
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I've just picked up my first Motorhome and endorse what's been said. Assuming you have a smart phone take photos and if something seems really complicated video them demonstrating it.
Test all drawers and cabinets, the latch bar had been missed of one of our drawers and it flew open as I was on a roundabout.
Weighbridges are so cheap that its worth doing when you first get it and when you do your first long trip.
Are you stayiong somewhere close the first night? If not its worth thinking about so that if you find something amiss you can take it back for fixing the next day.0 -
The dealer is only 5 miles from where we live so any issues and we'll be straight back to them. Will find out where the nearest weighbridge is and get it done as soon as possible. Thanks
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You'll probably find you'll have to make a return trip to fix or add something you hadn't noticed. Don't try to take it all in at the handover. Go through everything again when you take it home and speak on the phone about anything you don't understand or the dealer has forgotten to mention. Put any problems in writing for the next visit so that you have a check list. .....Enjoy your new van.
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It may well be worthwhile staying overnight at a site or CL near the dealers on the day you take delivery especially if you live a long way from the dealer. With our last two vans it was a 600mile round trip. It is almost certain you will find a small defect
and/or forget how to work something so if you can go back the next day that is good. If the dealer is willing pick up the manuals before the vehicle and study them. Typically manuals are very poor being generic (so they may have info about
other models or features yours doesn't have). Additionally you will probably get a bunch of separate manuals for components in the vehicle e.g. fridge, toilet casette, charging panel, etc. etc. Studying these before pick will help you to understand the handover
and raise appropriate questions0 -
Oops sorry didn't read above post properly re your proximity to dealer. Early experience and use of the van is nonetheless recommended.
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jack, just had a look at the chausson website....
'payloads' depending on flash/welcome trim and fiat/ford chassis vary between 458kg and 340kg....
the tiny writing at the bottom of the website (and the downloaded 'brochure' says "weight empty in running order"
to me, that means the MIRO weight quoted does not allow for a driver, water, gas as was the norm up until recently where manufacturers were able to 'remove' items from the MIRO to bolster payload provided that they clearly documented was was (and was not)
included.ive also found a comparable 'pack' to your VIP pack that was fitted to our van and have taken the weight from the brochure, along with weights of the other 'extras you quote......
150 engine upgrade.......0 kg
4m awning ....................35kg
bike rack.........................15kg (guess)
VIP pack.........................50kg
winter pack......................10kg (guess)
aeriel (if fitted)..................5kg
passenger.........................75kg (std allowance)
dog....................................10kg (rounded up, sorry)
these 'bits' come to 200kg.......
now, the bits not included in the 'normal' MIRO figures....
driver.................................75 kg (std allowance)
gas bottle(s).......................10kg (conservative)
water..................................100kg (tank may larger)
these 'bits' come to another 185kg
added together we now have 385kg of your 400kg 'lost' before you even begin to think about chairs, tables, bikes, clothes, food, wine, cables, hoses, levellers etc, etc......
again, this 'exercise' is not to scare you (so close to ypur new van purchase) but merely to illustrate how easily it is for manufacturers to be 'economical' with their weight figures and how easily we can rack up a whole 'tonne' of extra stuff to weigh
us down.......just trying to raise awareness for someone moving to a van with more marginal payloads.....
good luck.
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Takes loads of notes, especially in regard to heating controls. With the weight don't forget the fuel. You will often drive with a full tank whereas with the water (fresh and waste) you have full control over how much to carry. I travel with hardly any waste
and try to keep the fresh down to about a quarter. As well as keeping below the limits it also helps with fuel consumption.0 -
We had a very comprehensive handover from White Arches when we purchased our Bailey. Trouble is that you are usually quite excited about the purchase that you don't always remember things. Given that you seem to live near the the dealer its easy for you
to pop in and get a further explanation. There is nothing like getting away for a few days to check everything out for yourself.David
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Thank you all for your advice in particular Boleroboy for taking the time to provide such a detailed list of what to add to the payload weight - I'm beginning to think we might have to be more careful when packing than we first thougt. Out of interest has
anyone ever been pulled over and had their weight checked? Some really interesting things to remember on pick up day. We are away for two nights the weekend after we pick it up so hope have a good trial then. Will let you know how it goes!0 -
One thing you could do Jack, is to take a little cassette recorder or similar & tape the handover talk ! Its too too easy to miss out on an important item
since you will be all excited/terrified at the very idea of driving your entire bank balance on English roads
P.S. you weren't a London Bobby in another life were you
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Thank you all for your advice in particular Boleroboy for taking the time to provide such a detailed list of what to add to the payload weight - I'm beginning to think we might have to be more careful when packing than we first thougt. Out of interest has
anyone ever been pulled over and had their weight checked? Some really interesting things to remember on pick up day. We are away for two nights the weekend after we pick it up so hope have a good trial then. Will let you know how it goes!....the only other issue to be aware of is that 'where' you add your 'stuff' will affect axle weights....
it is extremely likely in a 7.5m van with largish overhang, that the rear axle will overload before the 3500kg is reached.
this is because for every kilo slung out beyond the rear axle (this applies to almost all kgs for those of us who have large rear lockers or garages) will add (say) 1.25kg due to the pendulum/leverage effect.....similarly, it will reduce the loading on the
front axle, but by a smaller amount....std 3500kg Ducato chassis supports 1850 front and 2000kg rear.....this shows that the van 'could' be uprated to 3850 but both axles would be at their maximum and the spread of load would have to be 'perfectly judged'.
simple paper upgrades to 3650kg can be carried out bit do still leave the rear axle a bit 'vulnerable'....
again....just a little more info to keep you aware of what can be a bit of a minefield.
your van is in the upper end of the 3.5t category and a little care is needed, but doable....
six berth 3500kg vans with an adult driver, passenger and a 'few' kids, plus commensurate volumes of 'stuff' have no chance.
I would suggest weighing it empty when you collect it....this will give you a base line.....then again at the end of your trip with 'folk and stuff and water and fuel and gas' on board.....
good luck....
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I would suggest weighing it empty when you collect it....this will give you a base line.....then again at the end of your trip with 'folk and stuff and water and fuel and gas' on board.....
good luck....
Write your comments here...Surely you should weigh fully loaded before a trip to make sure you are the right side of the limit?
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michael, yes thats true of course, as in my 2nd clause...
however, if you weigh it at the dealers empty, it may be so bad that it would influence the sale....
in my example above, an 'empty' van with the extras, passengers and fluids listed might theoretically have a near zero payload....if this were the case, would you complete the sale on a totally impractical van?
id have it weighed prior to signing, and if it were workable, Id weigh it again, loaded, either prior to my first trip (better) or on my return, if more convenient...
its the 2nd weighing process that will determine its legality as you say, but it may be a bit of closing the door after the horse has bolted, as its the 1st weighing process that will confirm to the customer at the point of sale that the van he is buying
is fit for his purpose.0 -
Thanks again - certainly some food for thought in all the responses. I'm about to post again on an unbelievable conversation I had with an insurance company today. Just need to work out which heading to put it under first!
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When we bought out current van, the only significant difference to our previous one was the Comfort-matic gearbox. Dealer explained it all to us and it seemed logical. The dealer insisted on showing us other things and then we went in to pay and do the paperwork.
By the time we'd escaped, I'd forgotten how the Comfort-matic worked and had to go back inside the dealer to tell me!0 -
There have been some very good comments.
I think it is vital that you are shown everything at the handover and that everything is working and in order, with nothing misssing or untoward before you pay the final settlement.
It is natural to be excited when going to collect a new van and to be greatly disappointed if anything is not as it should be. Hopefully everything will be OK but if it isn't don't be afraid to say that you will return another day to collect it and pay.
We live 6 miles away from where we bought our vans. With the second one it wasn't completely prepared when we went to collect it (even though the dealer had asked for another couple of days owing to having a number of handovers to do). We should have left
and returned when it was ready as they rushed the process and we had to return at least once a month for 4 months because of problems. Most of these should have been identified and dealt with at the factory or by the dealer prior to our being told that the
van was ready.0 -
On handover Its a very different thing, being shown how things work and using them to find out if they do work. I have refused to sign the hand over form when I've picked mine up. We always book a site close by and spent one or two nights in it trying everything
out before returning to sign the document sheet. In fact one or two dealer will allow you to stay at the dealership and the one at Lincoln has their own site. We have found several things wrong and on one occasions found things that did not work at all. Although
some dealers are a bit reluctant to do this I have found they wanted my money so agreed to this arrangement. In fact wth my last one this arrangement was agreed before I signed the purchase agreement and noted in the documents.0
