I have a weight issue

Again apologies for talking about my Swift on the Autosleeper forum but it is a general question.

I know the subject of payload has come up a lot recently and I'm about to add to it. As my licence is a medical 3 year one I am limited to 3500kg. I bought the Swift as a 3500kg van and that is what it says on the V5. I've just looked on the chassis plate and it says 3650kg.

Not for the first time, I'm confused. Do I have a 3500kg van or not?

For the record, the loaded van weighed 3520kg on the weighbridge so from now on, slightly underfilled fresh water.

Hi Dave

I'd suggest a call to SVTech.

I have no idea if they can downrate your van, but if they can't I would think it's not possible. They may also be able to advise you which of the two figures you have is the correct one, as they deal with a lot of chassis types.

Good luck.

This thread from elsewhere covers exactly your situation. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Do you have a Swift weight plate somewhere as well?

If you bought the van as a 3500kg then it is up to the dealer to sort it out - NOT YOU!
Better check your front and rear axles as well.

Thanks people, looks like one of those can of worms things then. Once I get back to stable WiFi and a phone signal I will see where i go.

Dave, If you partake of the MMM forum, this is worth a read,


[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Barry

if your V5 says 3500kg then that's what it is....though, usually you would have a plate to show this...

our new (stock) van had two plates (3650 and 3850) already fitted but I wanted to run the van at 3500....so I got the dealer to organise this with DVLA and he then set me the revised V5....I also got a new plate a little while later....

inspiredron wrote:If you bought the van as a 3500kg then it is up to the dealer to sort it out - NOT YOU!
Better check your front and rear axles as well.

I had similar problem with the last motorhome (Knaus from Lowdhams) which I bought in good faith as a 3500Kg

I insisted the dealer corrected it, which they did

Eltel wrote:

inspiredron wrote:If you bought the van as a 3500kg then it is up to the dealer to sort it out - NOT YOU!
Better check your front and rear axles as well.

I had similar problem with the last motorhome (Knaus from Lowdhams) which I bought in good faith as a 3500Kg

I insisted the dealer corrected it, which they did

Hi. Off topic but what made you change from the Knaus please?
Rich..

Hi Although we were very satisfied with the Knaus 700 MEG when we purchased it

It was on CC rally we were pitched up to a couple who had a older Autosleeper with a rear U shaped rear lounge.

The Knaus was just short of 7.5 metre long with twin beds over a large garage.

The layout was a of continental design with with the two cab seats turned around and you all sit around the table.

You couldn’t lie on the beds and read as there were cupboards over your head, and it was difficult to park other than on a site or a rally field.


I would have bought another Knaus but they did not have a design that suited.

It got us thinking perhaps a smaller motorhome may be a wiser choice.

I had always liked the Autosleepers and there build quality, so hence we bought a new Nuevo EK as unfortunately they no longer made a motorhome with U shaped rear lounge.

Fits nearly all the boxes, perhaps if I had my choice again I might of bought a Broadway FB as makiing the beds at night is a chore, but we would be back to a longer motorhome again.

All Motorhomes are all a compromise.

Terry

The Swift weight plate sometimes is hidden inside the cab, above the driver in the open compartment above the drivers door. it faces forward, you have to do a bit of a contortion trick to find it.
Dennis

Dare-devil-dennis wrote:The Swift weight plate sometimes is hidden inside the cab, above the driver in the open compartment above the drivers door. it faces forward, you have to do a bit of a contortion trick to find it.
Dennis

Thanks, I'll look for it.

The weight has been put on the back burner since I discovered the fridge wasn't working on gas but that is sorted now so back to looking for chassis plates.

as in my post above, the van arrived (new) with the V5 showing 3500kg but we didn't have a 3500 plate....the dealer said at purchase time that he would get one and not to worry as the V5 was correct.
it took a nudge or two but the p,ate arrived in the post and we fixed it next to the others.

just tell the dealer you can't fint it, and as him to provide it.....FOC.

RE: weights in general....when weighing the van ensure you get both axle weights as the rear axle limit of 2000kg can be broached before you reach the 3500kg limit....
the upgrade to 3650kg won't have changed the axle weights.

good luck.