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Hi macuser..

One of our previous vans came with a Fiamma rear box, bolted to a cycle rack..and it was very handy, although I only ever put very light stuff in it.(..levelling chocks, ehu lead, bucket, etc)..because if I pushed down on the bike rack rails, even lightly, you could see the back wall of the van flex a fair bit!

I did look into removing the bike rack and replacing them will basic wall brackets:  

http://www.fiammastore.com/Fiamma-Storage-Boxes-for-caravan-and-motorhome/Fiamma-Wall-Kit-Box-for-Rear-Ultraboxes

..as they  would've shifted the weight some 4-5 inches closer to the wall..but in the end I didn't bother... 

But would I go out and pay the 300 quid + for a Fiamma box? Probabaly not,No!

As others have said, for "outdoor stuff", I'd probably look at getting sturdy plastic trunk of sorts..:

  http://www.solentplastics.co.uk/marine-storage-products-boxes/water-resistant-boxes-and-trunks/page/2/?keywords=

...and either bolt/strap that to the rack or strap it down inside the van(and then tether it outside the van, when on 'site).

Weight wise, I'd be loading the van in FULL "going away mode"(all kit, clothes,  full water and fuel tanks, full gas bottles, food/beer, likely passengers  etc ) and then get it weighed at a *local weighbridge(* ours charged me 7 quid) ..and then go from there.....

Remembering to get the individual axle loadings as well as the overall weight, as it's not unusual for coach built MHs to have an overloaded rear axle and do all that  before you start hanging a rear box off the back.

Oh!..and "welcome"..  

Quote: Originally posted by macuser on 28/8/2014

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I had the 'van weighed, and with everything that usually stays in it (pans and & crockery, full gas, full fuel, EH cable,) in it, i still have 520kg payload. I then weighed everything that I took on a recent trip and all of that scarcely radded up to 300kg. In fact, the humans (and dog) were the majority of the added weight. So apart from the issue of MPG decreasing with weight added, I don't think I need to ever worry about being overweight with this vehicle.

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Hi again macuser ..

With that sort of margin, it sounds like you should be okay?..but it isn't just about the vehicle being "overweight", as has been said, it's the axle loadings, more usually the rear , that you need to keep an eye on..and especially with a coach-built with a rear kitchen/rear shower room layout... 

If you really want some outdoor storage (for ehu leads, levellers etc), maybe look at the feasibility of a Beenybox?

 http://www.beenybox.co.uk/  (..at least then,the weight is kept between the axles, rather than hanging out the back).

..and it does show a couple of images of A/S Talisman(..'mans?..'men?) in their "..previously installed.." section.  But of cause, unlike a Fiamma box, once fitted, they'd have to stay with the vehicle when sold...

Hi again macuser..

I'm not familiar with your model..but I would suggest getting hold of a copy of this(for general nuts'n'bolts stuff):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcaravan-Manual-Choosing-Using-Maintaining/dp/0857331248/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

..and join up with the like of here, for more "specific" stuff:

http://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/

Re: "Beenyboxes", GRP or not, as I said,it does actually show them fitted to an A/S Talisman on their website.