Just an additional thought, the weight is a combination per axle. Even if you are under weight overall if one axle is over then you will be in trouble. So be extra careful with loading the van.
Hello and thanks for the comment. This is a great point which we failed to mention in this video however, we covered that in the previous one about weighing our motorhome and demonstrated how each axle weight can be calculated when using a public weighbridge. It’s really good that people like yourselves are engaging and helping others understand the implications of overloading the campervan, motorhome or caravan and we really appreciate it. All the best, Zoe
Hi Guys, another brilliant and informative video. The animations and overlays are so good and we learnt so much watching this! Thank you for such a fantastic vlog for us vanlifers! Lots of love Julia and Gary ♥
Also worth bearing in mind that if you uprate to more than 3500kg, then you will not be covered on traditional motorhome breakdown relay cover. You will need a policy for commercial vehicles which is much more expensive.
I agree totally with everything you say. Over the years driving thousands of miles, I have often noticed when following Motor homes that some sit very low on their axles. People hang bikes and sometimes motor bikes on rear of them too, adding weight and also unbalancing the vehicle. The big rear overhangs on many vans just add further problems to handling on roundabouts particularly. We should not kid ourselves about the makers either, many build and sell fairly dangerous vehicles, that the owners exacerbate by adding undistributed weight inside. Driving a motor home with a full tank of waste and full of fresh water, makes many vehicle way over weight. It is time for all of these vehicles to have their own built in electronic weight devices, such things are already available for commercials. What your video says, is what nobody wants to hear, when they have just paid £80k for an RV, but you are right in making this point. Those with deaf ears will just end up with on road confiscations of the vehicles. (rude that some of them appear to be).
Hello, thank you so much for your comment, you obviously understand and have a vast experience of driving motorhomes and other large vehicles. After all that is what a campervan and a motorhome is, a large vehicle. Before losing my sight, I was a truck driver and piloted, 44 ton articulated lorries around for a living. It is amazing how many people do not pay attention to being overweight, just look through the forums online of various communities for people complaining, they have purchased a new motorhome only to discover it has a very limited payload or in some circumstances, it is already overweight before even driving off the forecourt. we have received some abuse for this video, mostly on Facebook but, we don’t care because this is something people need to pay attention to and your response has both made us cheer and very happy, thank you so much. All the best, Zoe, Malish and Keeva the Pickle.
By highlighting this issue you’ve really helped us. We would much rather face up to this issue than bury our heads in the sand. We’re waiting for our campervan, which should be available in September (fingers crossed), so your thought provoking vlogs are very timely. Thanks so much for sticking your heads above the parapets. Best wishes to you both and lovely Keeva, from Shropshire.
Really informative video guys, very well presented. Out of interest, you didn’t cover the speed limits, was that because the unladen weight was over 3050kg so wouldn’t make a difference? Thanks very much, all the best, David & Rachel 👍
The C1 on the driving licence will be removed by the DVLA when a driver reaches 70, unless they apply by paper form, NOT online, and supply a medical report from the doctor and possibly also an optician's report. I think this may be why so many manufacturers of campervans and motorhomes try to keep below this figure.
Hello and thanks for the comment! Yes, you’re right, that the C1 license only lasts until the age of 70, but can be renewed after that on an annual basis I believe so, bit of a pain in order to remain legal with that weight of vehicle. Manufacturers certainly attempt to stay underneath the 3500 kg weight limit And some do better than others at achieving this with a decent payload. Really appreciate you taking the time to post and again, thank you. Zoe.
Thank you very much, we really had very little knowledge about weight limits and axle weights and left it a bit too long before checking. Glad you found it helpful and really appreciate your lovely comment. All the best from the Bonjour Motorhome team!
My Cousin Kevin was stopped for being well over-loaded in his Motorhome. He served time for it. Mind you he was carrying 8 illegal immigrants at the time.
Hello and thanks for the comment, We are not calling Van lifeers numpties, we are referring to the fact that people who ignore driving overweight are numpties, which is what the title is meant to imply. However, it can be read various ways and you have taken it the way you have and for that I am sorry. Offending people was not our intention. As Vanlifers ourselves, we are simply trying to highlight the legal implications of travelling in a campervan, motorhome or caravan that are overloaded. Many thanks, Zoe.
@MrPlasma01 @NomaddUK Hi guys, thanks for your comments. Both myself (Malish) and my partner (Zoe) happen to be trans, but we are also human beings and just people. If you’re not sure if someone is male or female, you can either not mention it and just talk to them like a decent person would, or ask them how they prefer to be addressed. Would that ruin your lives and the rest of society? Our channel is not about gender, ours or yours, it’s about van life.
