Hello and help!
Hello everyone, we are Steve and Sue and we are new to caravaning. We’ve ordered a Coachman VIP 520 which hopefully arrive in April/May. We are both looking forward to getting out in it and have a couple of club sites booked.
I’ve got lots of questions and am enjoying researching them, but there is one issue I’m rather confused about. As I understand it, my users payload is the difference between the mtplm and the MIRO. Which I believe is 148kgs for my caravan. What I’m a little confused about is what is counted in the MIRO? I think not the leisure battery, motor mover and any other extras. But is the gas bottle included? And if it is, then is it just one gas bottle, or two, if I carried a spare?
Many thanks
Steve
Comments
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Most manufacturers will state somewhere in the literature what their MRO covers, it could possibly be something like a 10kg allowance is included for gas.
Most will also say that no water in the water heater or the toilet flush is included, or state the quantity that IS included.
Payloads on most caravans these days are totally inadequate, if you have the possibility to upgrade the MPTLM then it is a good plan to do so.
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The only real way to know how much you have to play with is to take it to a weighbridge. Even defined weights in the manufacturers brochures can vary and cannot therefore be absolutely relied upon.
As you are setting out, it will probably be worth the investment in a lithium battery and a "Safefill" gas cylinder, both of which will help you to save weight. The latter will pay for itself over time as the cost of refillable gas(autogas lpg) is a fraction of Calor's exorbitant charges.
Investment in solar panels as well, coupled with the above suggestions can make you independent of electric hookup and enable you to use cheaper non-electric sites.
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Yes getting an up-plate for a Coachman is very easy. Your Dealer will take the princely sum of about £40 from you and in return will change the "weight" stickers on the caravan showing the new allowed weight. I have a 545 and with the upgrade got about 40 kgs extra - an increase of 25%,
The process is as simple as that - there is no strengthening work needed to be done at the factory etc.
If you are planning on using your caravan in Europe - you may decide in time that you would like to fit an A/C unit. I would recommend you consider having the caravan prepared to take an Air condition unit as strengthening needs to be done during construction. No retro fit can be done. Again your dealer can help by changing the build detail - but you would need to be quick I think.
Welcome to the wonderful world of touring!!
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Many thanks, I’ve opted for the weight upgrade so that will help. Too late for the air con, but I think the weight will be prohibitive. And thank you for your kind welcome. I’ve done lots of ‘camping’ over the years in the military and more recently as a DofE instructor. Moving up to a caravan is luxury, and I can’t wait!😀
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Apparently it is so that a van can be legally towed by a wider range of cars.
When you upgrade the weight, you usually also need to increase the tyre pressures, it will all be detailed in the paperwork. And JVB is correct, you should also receive new paperwork showing the new particulars.
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