Have you ever been stopped?
This is a question that I have wanted to know the answer to since before I thought of buying my MH
How many people have actually been pulled over and had the weight of their MH checked, queried or discussed in any way?
Either in UK or Europe
Many Thanks
Moderator Edit:
Title amended to make identification of the topic of the thread easier.
Comments
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any particular reason for the question?
i don't know the answer but wondered why the question?
is your MH a bit close to the limit?
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It’s a question no one here is likely to be able to answer. We are but a spot in the ocean on this forum in terms of MH-ers as a whole.
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If you Google the question you'll find a few people have been stopped over the years but it seems to be highly unlikely you will get stopped.
We've been stopped in France by the Gendarmes for a chat about where we're heading a couple of times but only for them to have a break from the monotony of standing at the roadside with their Speed Cameras and failing to 'catch' anyone speeding.
As in this country cars coming towards you flash their lights and you ease off the accelerator but as for weighing – no, never.
If you're worried - it's only a fiver at a weighbridge to calm, or jangle, your nerves about being overloaded or not.
Whatever you do you must weigh the Motorhome before buying to find its payload – do not take the word of either the Dealer, Seller or Manufacturer's brochure to base your payload hopes on.
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Yes,I was pulled over about 3 years ago, heading west on the M62 close to junction 20 (Rochdale). It was close to Easter weekend and as well as myself there was two caravans being weighed. Had no problems and was back on the road in 15 minutes. Mike
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Yes, just a few weeks ago. Sutton Scotnay Southbound on the A34
Not pulled over as such, drove into the services for a coffee and a bite to eat and as I drove into the lorry park, a police 4x4 flashed up ‘Follow Me’ on the matrix in his back window.
Usual questions, where are you heading, where from,is the vehicle registered to you, took a look at my driving license then had a walk around checking tyre treads and lights.
Finally, was asked to drive on a pad, front axle weighed then rear and they took a look at the plate under the bonnet. Given the thumbs up and proceeded to park and use the facilities. I had to ask what the weight was, told the VOSA guy I was curious. 50kg under at 3450, axles well inside limits.
While parked, we watched as they checked some HGV’s which they didn’t weigh, plus a couple of commercial vans, which they did weigh.
I wasn’t worried (I was)
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Yes, I was pulled by the police on the A1 and escorted to a weighbridge! Not a pleasant experience. I was fortunate but very close to maximum! At least, as the policeman said, I got a free 'certificate' which indicated the 'weight' of each axle. Most useful it proved too as when I got home I weighed everything which came out of the van. We then had a rethink about what 'stuff' really was essential .
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I was very close to limit as well, 50kg is nothing really, but I was carrying an almost full fresh water and an almost full fuel tank. With all the camping gear, the dogs etc etc, it was surprisingly close to limit which I had a feeling it would be, the Chausson we have hasn’t got a great payload, only 340kg approx.
I’m looking into getting a replate done, up to 4 tonne
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It was just a fact gathering operation, then, to help you make a point.
Surely no one is stupid enough to flout the law in these matters? Perhaps your ammo will make them think again but I’d not hold my breath.
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Have been stopped by Police/Customs check looking for red diesel.
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You still have the same 2000kg axle limit even if you do the paperwork unless you want to start spending money on modifying the axles by adding air assists and changing wheels. If you do any mods to the vehicle you also need to inform your insurance company.
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"Didn't bother when we bought a new mh"
your avatar looks very much like the Apache 634...
this can on a 3500kg chassis must be very tight to run legally...
even with only AT's thrifty 47kg per person 'passenger personal allowance' (which might cover clothes, shoes etc) this van (with no factory options selected) has only 36kg of remaining usable payload....
this is with an empty water tank, no bedding, kitchen appliances (kettles, toaster, coffee maker) pots, pans, cutlery, crockery, tools, maps, etc, etc.
while there is a 3650kg 'upgrade' which appears to add much needed payload. this does not increase the axle weights and with most of the storage under the rear lounge bed boxes, that axle will be dodgy, to say the least.
i would be round to the nearest weighbridge, fully loaded, pretty smartish....
if you're on a 3500 MTPLM you may well be extremely on that and the rear axle....
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Just hope it isn't the FIA pulling you over for a weigh-in. €25000 for not following instructions.
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never been stopped and breathalysed but would never dream of driving except when stone cold sober...
never been stopped and weighed in the van, but I'd never dream of driving an overweight van....
there are so many issues with being (van) overweight not withstanding the legal ramifications.......poorer handling, braking, incorrect tyre pressures, insurance void? etc.
I'm sure there are many vans out there that are 'suspect', perhaps due to lack of knowledge/awareness (salesmen are notoriously backward in coming forward about the weight suitability of some of the vans they sell) but this should not be an excuse.
...and understanding weight issues but not bothering to check them out can't be a good thing either.
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