Van nearly overweight
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Most van's can be upgraded when first purchased or sometimes later. Unfortunately, in my experience, dealers rarely mention it. When I bought present van a condition of purchase was that a weight upgrade was included in the price and the necessary plate affixed prior to purchase. Very few I suspect don't have some upgrade available although for some it might be minimal. Ours was 100kg on present 'van
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Bigger margins could already be expected if the NCC didn’t meddle in things by labelling caravans based on a fictitious MTPLM calculated by adding a given payload to the MIRO. If the manufacturers were left to their own devices there would be just one figure on a weight plate and that would be the type approved maximum, just like the Continentals.
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On our latest van it was the dealer who suggested an upgraded, as its just a paper exercise. This was fone at time of purchase at no cost to us.
The maximum weight plate (axle) on this van is in the front locker. When we received the up graded weight plate from Coachman it was the same weight as the one in the locker. We had to remove and return the lower weight plate to Coachman, then stick the new weight plate in its place on the side of the van by the door.
I would have loved ET's 100 kg up grade.
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Not sure how old the van is but if relatively new you might want to weigh it empty and see if it is well above the makers published figure. If so you might have a case for selling a caravan unfit for purpose, but if not then the only solution is to ditch some of the gear or carry it in the tow car. What you are carrying does not look a lot to me and I feel the caravan might weigh far more than it should.
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I have an update from Coachman,and they have stated a plate upgrade is only allowable in the first year.At least the company actually replied to my question even if it was only one line.
The handbook states the following
90% gas allowed (not sure what size cylinder this refers to)
Alde Full
Toilet Flush 2kg
Toilet holding tank Empty
Electric Hook Up cable and Step
It looks like for me really careful loading from now on,I just cannot help it when I see what some people carry knowing they will be overweight.
I just hope in the future,that the NCC take note of this, and an take an interest from the owners side for once.
I just wish I had Lornalou's 160kg or ET 100kg upgrade.
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Eribas are different !
You can have a 300 kg payload upgrade - but it's a factory fitted option from new - meaning stronger axle, suspension, wheels and tyres - not just a new paper sticker - and costs 435 euros.
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The plate in the locker that you refer to not only quotes the maximum axle load but also the MTPLM.
If the label next to the door quotes a lower MTPLM then so long as there is a statutory plate elsewhere, such as in the locker, then I have suggested simply removing the label by the door, which is one specified by the NCC, not by any legislation. I cannot find anything illegal against such practice and it’s a lot cheaper than applying for a so-called upgrade from the manufacturer.
The upgrades offered by Continental manufacturers are true upgrades that usually involve technical changes such as heavier duty axles. They can only be carried out during the actual caravan build process. My Dethleffs, for example, has an ex-works 200kg upgrade.
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"If the label next to the door quotes a lower MTPLM then so long as there is a statutory plate elsewhere, such as in the locker, then I have suggested simply removing the label by the door, which is one specified by the NCC, not by any legislation. I cannot find anything illegal against such practice and it’s a lot cheaper than applying for a so-called upgrade from the manufacturer."
my MH has 3 'plates'....
the chassis/cowl built by Fiat was on their 'light' chassis (normally 3500kg) but the ALKO chassis upgrade meant the 'default' was 3650kg, so that's the plate Fiat fitted.
when Carthago did the conversion, the van was fitted with optional larger (stronger) 16" wheels/tyres and was given an upgrade to 3850kg.
as it happens, I wanted the van to run at 3500kg (for several reasons) so I got the van weighed prior to purchase, was happy with the resulting payload and got the dealer to replate to 3500kg FOC.
should I ever wish to run the van in a heavier state, I just need to let the DVLA know, I already have the plates.
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When checking whether the vehicle is legal or not only the plate supplied by the final stage manufacturer counts, in your case Carthago. All other plates are irrelevant as it’s Carthago who carried out the final type approval. The plates applied by Fiat and AlKo only have any relevance with respect to Carthago, not to the final customer.
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"If the label next to the door quotes a lower MTPLM then so long as there is a statutory plate elsewhere, such as in the locker, then I have suggested simply removing the label by the door, which is one specified by the NCC, not by any legislation"
You know this to be not true, via another forum and a response posted via a user from Bailey Caravans.
I also posted the same as Bailey based on my experiences.
For those looking to follow Lutzs advice I would urge them to phone the CMCs technical/help line.
The manufacture can stipulate any weight it cares to, as long as it is not above the EU type approval, that is in essence, "Down-plating".
We the user must adhere to the manufacturer's stipulation as it is they who have certified the vehicle/caravan.
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It would just start another prolonged arguement,.
If a Manufacturer says follow the door plate, that's good enough!
Better for those thinking to follow Lutzs advice to phone the club before hand.
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That's a surprise, did Coachman give any reason to the one year rule?
Do you have it serviced?
Could the person make a statement saying tyres/axle brakes are still within the tolerances for up-plating?
Could you send a letter or email to the NCC?
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AFAIK, the dealer applied to DVLA and the log book came back updated by them along with the 3500kg plate which came from carthago.
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Exactly so.
The manufacturer basically said to the DVLA, this is what the MAM could be, (EU), but this is what we stipulate this single vehicle to operate at, you the user comply.
Same for caravans except the vehicle register is not kept by the DVLA but the NCC.
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If a Manufacturer says follow the door plate, that's good enough!
If a manufacturer says 'follow the door plate' I don't really know what that has to do with the price of bacon. Do You? What maters is what VOSA (or whatever their latest monicker is) considers of import.
Same for caravans except the vehicle register is not kept by the DVLA but the NCC.
The DVLA is a statutory body whilst the NCC is merely a trade organisation
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If someone can point to any piece of legislation which states that the MTPLM on the NCC label takes precedence over the MTPLM that is displayed on the statutory plate I’ll believe in its validity.
If a vehicle is downplated then the statutory plate must display the downplated value.
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