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I have finally received my upgraded weight plate with it's new 200 kgs extra MTPLM but there is no paperwork to show it's genuine and not just swiped off somebody else's van. Is this normal or did other's who upgraded get paperwork of some sort. I'll ring Elddis tomorrow but I just need to be sure what the norm is before I do.

Regards Brian

Can I ask...how does upgrading the MTPLM work then ?

Is it some kind of modification thats required ?

And why upgrade ?

You will need something to show that the plate is genuine.  There's always paperwork in this life...

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by takisawa on 21/9/2010

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Can I ask...how does upgrading the MTPLM work then ?

Is it some kind of modification thats required ?

And why upgrade ?

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The way I understand it is that most vans are supplied with a lower MTPLM than the van is capable of taking.  I think the reason for this is to do with sales.  Often when folk purchase caravans, they look at the car they have and work out 85% of the kerbside weight of the maximum they can tow.  They will look for a van that has a MTPLM that fits that figure and disregard vans that have a higher MTPLM.  Therefore it is in the best interests of the caravan maker/ retailer to sell vans that have a lower MTPLM as the majority of people are likely to have smaller cars and there are likely to be more limited to what they can tow, I guess.

There are far less of us with 4x4/larger type cars.  Last month I thought, after packing up the van, I would just check on the weight.  The MTPLM of my van is 1435kg, but my Disco can 'officially' pull much more than that.  To my surprise, my van weighed in at 1520kg - well within what my car can pull, but obviously more than the MTPLM stated by Bailey.  Bailey will allow an upgade on my van to 1500kg, so by putting the large awning in the car that would bring the weight of my van down below 1500kg but not as low as 1435kg.  I will therefore be applying for the upgrade to 1500kg as the legal limit of the van before I next take it out.  I will not have to do anything extra to the van, other than perhaps put a little more air in the tyres, but will have paid £55 for the privilage!

the plate on the caravan is a legal requirement (VOSA CHECK) should you be stopped and weight checked.the plate on our van faded so it was unreadable.as its not something you can buy at tesco i emailed bailey and pointed out the legality and could they please send a new one.this they did with all the same information as before.