👇For all the items we use in our Motorhome please see our Amazon Storefront* below👇 www.amazon.co.uk/shop/livetodrive?ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_own_livetodrive_dp_cHOrbbaZQsH51 * As an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support :)
Look at how Ducato based coachbuilt motorhomes are constructed (quite flimsy, lots of fibreglass, sandwich board, plastic windows, lightweight facia board and furniture board etc...), and compare to the larger self-build vans and commercial strength Luton/box conversions done on a heavier 3.5t RWD chassis full of thick plywood and timber cladding, log burners, off-grid 200+ amp battery setups etc... and ask yourself how many of them are under 3 tons before they put anything in it. Looking at motorhome weights, with a 7.5m Swift 694 Escape weighing in at 3120kg and being plated up to 3700kg, if I self-build anything over 6m, I'll be starting with a 5-7ton plated chassis. Now that being a couple of % over is being treated as insurance invalidating, it is altogether more serious than it might have been at one time.
Epic. I was just reading about this, just this afternoon. I'm looking at an AT634 Apache and i'm reading that it is very easy to overload it. This video allows me to understand why. Cheers.
Great information. I don't suppose you know the maximum that these vans can be up-plated to. I have a class 1 licence so weight not a problem for me. Didn't you do another video on the payload of the newer model? Maybe you've had to remove it or was it someone else. I could do with watching that again thanks
Thanks. I removed the video as there was a mistake by RT of the MIRO so thought it wouldn’t be relevant now. I understand the vans can be up-plated to 3850kgs.
@@LiveforTravel ah I see I did think you might have had to remove it for some reason. Good news over the weight though that certainly deals with over weight issues, another box ticked. Thanks for the reply 👍
@@LiveforTravel I don't suppose you got to find out the correct Miro. Looking at the technical specification sheet the 590 is the heaviest at 3172 some of the bigger models are less than 3000
Seasons greetings 🎉❤ I’ve just bought a Rollerteam 590 t line and although it’s not arrived yet I feel after watching your videos that I know a lot more about it. It’s very cold -3 in Edinburgh. Delivery date 19/20th December hopefully. A “Heart felt” thanks to you and your Mrs for all your efforts in delivering all the helpful information and tips. Have a lovely holidays.
Seasons greetings to you and your family too 🎉. Yes it is currently -1°C here in Derbyshire. Congrats on the purchase of your 590 T-Line. We hope it gives you many happy memories. We sincerely appreciate your wonderful feedback, never a chore to read 😁, and for your support watching our videos. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you. Happy travels in your new van.
Very useful, thank you, and just confirms my worry over almost any motorhome I’d be interested in except possibly the Chausson X550. I’m too near 70 to risk >3.5t. Anyhow, got tickets for the NEC this month in hope of something appealing and gettable.
It is indeed difficult and one that many ignore or at least don’t appreciate. The NEC show should have enough vans to see and poke around at. That’s what we did. However if you order new there is a waiting list that can be over 1 year and many 2 years due to low supply of base vehicles from Fiat and Ford. I follow 2 Facebook groups for vans and there are many who receive “dates” that simply come and go and the weeks continue to pass. Please remember, as a well known ex car salesman and engineer on UA-cam repeats, when dealing with a sales person they will say anything to get you across the line (or to sign on the line). I personally wouldn’t trust any to quote me a firm date of delivery (unless they miraculously have the van you want already at their location) and the majority “shouldn’t” be in a position to quote a date as the manufacturers themselves don’t know. All the best with your visit and hope you find what works best for you.
@@LiveforTravel thank you. It’s a pain especially after agonising over buying for so long. We looked at a nearly new Rollerteam T745 being sold privately. It had massive additions - fans, 2x 25kg, lithium batteries, full solar roof, awnings, inverters, security system and more. The vendor allegedly put a motorbike in the garage. It just could not possibly be compliantly driven.
It honestly makes me a bit worried when you see people filling their vans with wooden furniture etc massive water tanks showers and have brake issues and engine problems.
On the purchase of my new Knaus motorhome (which we still haven't been away anywhere in yet!) I loaded it with all the normal equipment, 2 x gas bottles, tank of fuel and my wife & I, I took it to our local weighbridge. My limit is 3850Kg and we have about 250 spare for water / food / clothes, so I'm happy with that.
@@LiveforTravel without it being up-plated by the dealers, there would be almost no payload at all. Now all I have to decide is can I get a tow-bar and trailer and tow the 2CV behind it . . .
how did you manage to get a 3850kg limit on a normal driving licence ? i have a minibus it weighs 3450kg I wanted to do a conversion... i have been confused a lil as i saw something online saying you can drive a luton van on a normal driving licence and the van is registered up tp 3500kg but you can load up to 1300kg of stuff on it after the weight of 3500kg ?
Love the new Logo Paul nice and bright, live to travel great and another informative video we're also at 3.5 on our Kontiki 560 with all the bits and pieces I've been buying over lockdown I really need to double check my weight 🤔 hope you get away soon take care x
Thanks for the comments about the new logo. The channel needed to be less “diluted” with my Petrolhead content so that will be moved to a resurrected Live to Drive channel. Yes we hope you, and us, do get out and about soon.
As usual a very well presented explanation of the motorhome weight limits. You just showed the easy way to overload a motorhome or caravan easily . Bostin owa kid.
I’m sure there are many things we could add. Of course a fixed awning was on the video at 35kgs but could easily have a drive away type with maybe 12+kgs.
Very informative and well presented. Regarding the licence issue for drivers having passed their test after 01/01/1997 needing a C1 to drive over 3.500kgs. People who are claiming grandfather rights to drive up to 8.250kgs (7.500+750) having passed their test prior to 01/01/1997 AUTOMATICALLY LOOSE THAT ENTITLEMENT when they reach 70yrs of age, then have to undergo a medical and re-test for a C1. A lot are being caught out with this.
That’s a very good piece of information and one that needs to be mentioned in a future video. Many thanks for watching and your comments. Unsure if you have to do a retest however. Just reread the following “However, if you use the standard renewal procedure you will lose your C1 entitlement and you will no longer be able to drive motorhomes between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. To avoid this, ask your GP or a private doctor to fill in a medical report form D4.”
@@LiveforTravel Yeah that was my understanding - but it's every 3 years after 70 to keep C1 entitlement. My PVC has a 'heavy' chassis (4.25t) - takes a lot of worry out of it.
Yes, some people's attention span is very limited. We live in France and I can't believe that some of these 7.5 - 8 mtr vans we see are plated at 3.5 gvw. The payload must be tiny. We have a tag axle Frankia which I regularly weight check, more out of curiousity as I know roughly what we're running at most of the time (across all axles too) and we still have approx 300 kg spare even with a full 150 ltr water tank, two adults and a dog and my wifes disability scooter. By the way, we seem to have parallel lives. We have a 1980 2cv which has been, ground up restored and a Citroen Picasso 2, which I love driving.
300 spare weight limit is useful. Yes we do appear to have some parallel elements. I loved the Grand Picasso’s although the first one had an electronic fault they couldn’t find so had to buy it back. Very useful vehicles and they look really stylish too. We would love to in France one day.
Yes we would agree. Sometimes these videos get a bit too weighed down (no pun intended) with detail that some don’t then watch all the way through. We know this because our Google analytics we see tells us. I think there will be vans definitely driving over at least their respective axle weight limit if not the full weight limit.
Thankyou for this valuable information. I can't get the spreadsheets you offered. Could you send me a link to these documents or offer an email. Thankyou for this invaluable information. Les
Really useful video, but at a risk of looking a total idiot, I'm wondering if you have an error in your spreadsheet? In the left Mass column you show a figure of 54kgs for children, and in the right column you show a figure of 26kgs. To be consistent with the other entries (e.g. Dog) should the left column read 80kgs for children, and the right 0kgs? That's because I don't think any manufacturer includes kids in MIRO.
The 2 columns for weight were not specifically to show one for MIRO and one for other. Column 1 shows 0kgs for the adult as this is included in the MIRO and column 2 shows the average weight of a woman which is not included in MIRO. For the children, both who are not included in MIRO as you correctly say, are shown as 54kgs for my son and 26kgs for my daughter. No errors on the spreadsheet but I do make mistakes sometimes 😊 Thanks for watching and your comments.
👇For all the items we use in our Motorhome please see our Amazon Storefront* below👇
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/livetodrive?ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_own_livetodrive_dp_cHOrbbaZQsH51
* As an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support :)
Thank you I am very grateful to you for providing all this information. As a newbie like myself we definately need to do our homework!
Thank you for watching and your lovely feedback. Happy travels.
Look at how Ducato based coachbuilt motorhomes are constructed (quite flimsy, lots of fibreglass, sandwich board, plastic windows, lightweight facia board and furniture board etc...), and compare to the larger self-build vans and commercial strength Luton/box conversions done on a heavier 3.5t RWD chassis full of thick plywood and timber cladding, log burners, off-grid 200+ amp battery setups etc... and ask yourself how many of them are under 3 tons before they put anything in it.
Looking at motorhome weights, with a 7.5m Swift 694 Escape weighing in at 3120kg and being plated up to 3700kg, if I self-build anything over 6m, I'll be starting with a 5-7ton plated chassis. Now that being a couple of % over is being treated as insurance invalidating, it is altogether more serious than it might have been at one time.
Very comprehensive, I’m old school, if the springs are smiling and I can get my hand in the gap we’re good 😂
😂
Epic. I was just reading about this, just this afternoon. I'm looking at an AT634 Apache and i'm reading that it is very easy to overload it. This video allows me to understand why. Cheers.
Excellent, thanks for your support.
Another excellent video and information. Thank you. :)
Thanks again for watching and your feedback. 😁
Very helpful information, thank you x
Thank you for the feedback.
Great information. I don't suppose you know the maximum that these vans can be up-plated to. I have a class 1 licence so weight not a problem for me. Didn't you do another video on the payload of the newer model? Maybe you've had to remove it or was it someone else. I could do with watching that again thanks
Thanks. I removed the video as there was a mistake by RT of the MIRO so thought it wouldn’t be relevant now. I understand the vans can be up-plated to 3850kgs.
@@LiveforTravel ah I see I did think you might have had to remove it for some reason. Good news over the weight though that certainly deals with over weight issues, another box ticked. Thanks for the reply 👍
@@Dangermouse27 no worries. RT hadn’t requested removal I just felt it wasn’t necessary now.
@@LiveforTravel I don't suppose you got to find out the correct Miro. Looking at the technical specification sheet the 590 is the heaviest at 3172 some of the bigger models are less than 3000
Emailed them and apparently the 3172 is correct
Seasons greetings 🎉❤ I’ve just bought a Rollerteam 590 t line and although it’s not arrived yet I feel after watching your videos that I know a lot more about it. It’s very cold -3 in Edinburgh. Delivery date 19/20th December hopefully. A “Heart felt” thanks to you and your Mrs for all your efforts in delivering all the helpful information and tips. Have a lovely holidays.
Seasons greetings to you and your family too 🎉. Yes it is currently -1°C here in Derbyshire. Congrats on the purchase of your 590 T-Line. We hope it gives you many happy memories. We sincerely appreciate your wonderful feedback, never a chore to read 😁, and for your support watching our videos. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you. Happy travels in your new van.
Very useful, thank you, and just confirms my worry over almost any motorhome I’d be interested in except possibly the Chausson X550. I’m too near 70 to risk >3.5t. Anyhow, got tickets for the NEC this month in hope of something appealing and gettable.
It is indeed difficult and one that many ignore or at least don’t appreciate. The NEC show should have enough vans to see and poke around at. That’s what we did. However if you order new there is a waiting list that can be over 1 year and many 2 years due to low supply of base vehicles from Fiat and Ford. I follow 2 Facebook groups for vans and there are many who receive “dates” that simply come and go and the weeks continue to pass. Please remember, as a well known ex car salesman and engineer on UA-cam repeats, when dealing with a sales person they will say anything to get you across the line (or to sign on the line). I personally wouldn’t trust any to quote me a firm date of delivery (unless they miraculously have the van you want already at their location) and the majority “shouldn’t” be in a position to quote a date as the manufacturers themselves don’t know.
All the best with your visit and hope you find what works best for you.
@@LiveforTravel thank you. It’s a pain especially after agonising over buying for so long. We looked at a nearly new Rollerteam T745 being sold privately. It had massive additions - fans, 2x 25kg, lithium batteries, full solar roof, awnings, inverters, security system and more. The vendor allegedly put a motorbike in the garage. It just could not possibly be compliantly driven.
@@weircottage agree and any lack of knowledge or ignorance would not help in the event of an insurance claim.
It honestly makes me a bit worried when you see people filling their vans with wooden furniture etc massive water tanks showers and have brake issues and engine problems.
I do think many are driving vehicles that are overweight which as you say causes many issues. Safety and others.
On the purchase of my new Knaus motorhome (which we still haven't been away anywhere in yet!) I loaded it with all the normal equipment, 2 x gas bottles, tank of fuel and my wife & I, I took it to our local weighbridge. My limit is 3850Kg and we have about 250 spare for water / food / clothes, so I'm happy with that.
The 3850 limit must be useful. For us 35’ers we just need to be a little bit careful.
@@LiveforTravel without it being up-plated by the dealers, there would be almost no payload at all. Now all I have to decide is can I get a tow-bar and trailer and tow the 2CV behind it . . .
@@chopper602 yes..... the 2CV👍
@@AbdulAbulbulAmir thanks for watching 🙏
how did you manage to get a 3850kg limit on a normal driving licence ? i have a minibus it weighs 3450kg I wanted to do a conversion... i have been confused a lil as i saw something online saying you can drive a luton van on a normal driving licence and the van is registered up tp 3500kg but you can load up to 1300kg of stuff on it after the weight of 3500kg ?
Very useful again, Paul. Thanks. Any chance of a copy of the spreadsheet, please?
Yes. Just drop me an email to “livefortraveluk@gmail.com”
Does the MIRO include the leisure battery?
The MIRO is the weight of a finished van and driver etc so yes it includes the leisure battery.
Love the new Logo Paul nice and bright, live to travel great and another informative video we're also at 3.5 on our Kontiki 560 with all the bits and pieces I've been buying over lockdown I really need to double check my weight 🤔 hope you get away soon take care x
Thanks for the comments about the new logo. The channel needed to be less “diluted” with my Petrolhead content so that will be moved to a resurrected Live to Drive channel. Yes we hope you, and us, do get out and about soon.
As usual a very well presented explanation of the motorhome weight limits. You just showed the easy way to overload a motorhome or caravan easily . Bostin owa kid.
Thanks for your continued support matey 👍💪
Not included a
Driveaway awning tent dead easy to overload 😢
I’m sure there are many things we could add. Of course a fixed awning was on the video at 35kgs but could easily have a drive away type with maybe 12+kgs.
What's the cost and implications of up plating?
Personally we do don’t know as we will not be doing so. It is a common subject in a Facebook Group we follow: facebook.com/groups/202284249844300
@@LiveforTravel thank you
Very informative and well presented. Regarding the licence issue for drivers having passed their test after 01/01/1997 needing a C1 to drive over 3.500kgs. People who are claiming grandfather rights to drive up to 8.250kgs (7.500+750) having passed their test prior to 01/01/1997 AUTOMATICALLY LOOSE THAT ENTITLEMENT when they reach 70yrs of age, then have to undergo a medical and re-test for a C1. A lot are being caught out with this.
That’s a very good piece of information and one that needs to be mentioned in a future video. Many thanks for watching and your comments. Unsure if you have to do a retest however. Just reread the following “However, if you use the standard renewal procedure you will lose your C1 entitlement and you will no longer be able to drive motorhomes between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. To avoid this, ask your GP or a private doctor to fill in a medical report form D4.”
@@LiveforTravel Yeah that was my understanding - but it's every 3 years after 70 to keep C1 entitlement. My PVC has a 'heavy' chassis (4.25t) - takes a lot of worry out of it.
I thought it was just a medical at 70 and thereafter
Yes that was my understanding also. just a medical not a retest@@weircottage
Yes, some people's attention span is very limited. We live in France and I can't believe that some of these 7.5 - 8 mtr vans we see are plated at 3.5 gvw. The payload must be tiny. We have a tag axle Frankia which I regularly weight check, more out of curiousity as I know roughly what we're running at most of the time (across all axles too) and we still have approx 300 kg spare even with a full 150 ltr water tank, two adults and a dog and my wifes disability scooter. By the way, we seem to have parallel lives. We have a 1980 2cv which has been, ground up restored and a Citroen Picasso 2, which I love driving.
300 spare weight limit is useful. Yes we do appear to have some parallel elements. I loved the Grand Picasso’s although the first one had an electronic fault they couldn’t find so had to buy it back. Very useful vehicles and they look really stylish too. We would love to in France one day.
Now of course, the subject of your next video should be how that weight should be distributed over the axles, what it means and why
Yes we would agree. Sometimes these videos get a bit too weighed down (no pun intended) with detail that some don’t then watch all the way through. We know this because our Google analytics we see tells us. I think there will be vans definitely driving over at least their respective axle weight limit if not the full weight limit.
Milenco levelling ramps=3.5kg. Brilliant but not light!
Thankyou for this valuable information. I can't get the spreadsheets you offered. Could you send me a link to these documents or offer an email. Thankyou for this invaluable information. Les
Thanks. Our email is always in the description below the video. livefortraveluk@gmail.com
@@LiveforTravel thanks, email sent
@@the2ldds we have not received email.
So glad I'm old , because at my size, any motorhome I got into would automatically be above 3500kg 😂😂😂
Really useful video, but at a risk of looking a total idiot, I'm wondering if you have an error in your spreadsheet? In the left Mass column you show a figure of 54kgs for children, and in the right column you show a figure of 26kgs. To be consistent with the other entries (e.g. Dog) should the left column read 80kgs for children, and the right 0kgs? That's because I don't think any manufacturer includes kids in MIRO.
The 2 columns for weight were not specifically to show one for MIRO and one for other. Column 1 shows 0kgs for the adult as this is included in the MIRO and column 2 shows the average weight of a woman which is not included in MIRO. For the children, both who are not included in MIRO as you correctly say, are shown as 54kgs for my son and 26kgs for my daughter. No errors on the spreadsheet but I do make mistakes sometimes 😊 Thanks for watching and your comments.