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We have a spreadsheet too & I was so worried about being overweight driving to France we weighed every single thing we'd put in there - right down to pegs for the awning, all cupboard contents etc...

We were pleasantly surprised when we went to the weighbridge - there was more included in the 'essential habitation' payload than I thought (gas bottle, battery, aquaroll etc...) so our personal payload weighed less & we had 40kg spare.

At least now it's all weighed we know what to add or take of when we put stuff in or take it out.

Don't forget to check your tyre pressures too - ours were way below what they should have been when we collected our van.

Quote: Originally posted by adsheadv on 16/11/2010

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We were pleasantly surprised when we went to the weighbridge - there was more included in the 'essential habitation' payload than I thought (gas bottle, battery, aquaroll etc...) so our personal payload weighed less & we had 40kg spare.

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I had a major shock just before half term. i took my van fully loaded for a week in clumber to a weighbridge to find out that it was.....160 kilo overweight !!!! now that was a shock and half.

Will deffo have to readdress what we put in the van next year, it amazing just how all the items tot up   

Bessie 

we caravaners do use a lot and it is nopt until someone draws your attention to the specifices do we realise the consequences of just packing it in 'cos there is space   

distribution becomes the key element in the above   some equipment is better in the car than in the van  eg awning and poles being 17kg for a start

glad we don't do tv/sat   saves 12kg already but the wine will make up for that

the info will make sure I empty the loo and the water tanks before every journey

thanks for the info andylavalee

Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 17/11/2010

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I had a major shock just before half term. i took my van fully loaded for a week in clumber to a weighbridge to find out that it was.....160 kilo overweight !!!! now that was a shock and half.

Will deffo have to readdress what we put in the van next year, it amazing just how all the items tot up   

Bessie 

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Have you thought of upgrading to the maximum weight for your van, Bessie.  You  don't have to do anything to the van other than perhaps put a bit of extra air in the tyres, but you need to apply through a dealer, who (of course) will charge you for the priviledge.  The exact cost can vary considerably between manufacturer - you can pay anything from nothing to about £70.  For that you get a new 'weight plate' (which in many cased is just a sticker that goes over the old one with the new weights on it).  Bailey also supply two largish stickers to draw attention to the van and that it's been up-graded, and a new NCC document with the details on.

The reason you are allowed to upgrade is that most manufacturers grade their vans with a weight that is lighter than the maximum the van can take.  This is basically a sales ploy - it is easier to sell a van with a lower MTPLM.  As your van is so far overweight, it might be worth looking at the upgrade.  Ours went from 1435kg to 1500kg, so it went someway to put right our 'overweight problem'.  This together with moving the awning from the van to the car has basically solved our problem.

Just a thought.

Hi David i actually intend to take the van back to the weighbridge when it's empty (apart from aqua roll wastmaster chairs table ect ect) and see what it comes out at then.

As it's a 6 berth with a garage we did have 3 bikes in the back and the full awning at the front.

The awning and poles come in at 30kg i think the bikes were probably around 20kg each. but the other 100 ???? 

We went to florida last year and had a luggage allowance of 20-25kg each we never used any were near that and we had stacks of clothes !!!      

Bessie

Hi David i actually intend to take the van back to the weighbridge when it's empty (apart from aqua roll wastmaster chairs table ect ect) and see what it comes out at then.

As it's a 6 berth with a garage we did have 3 bikes in the back and the full awning at the front.

The awning and poles come in at 30kg i think the bikes were probably around 20kg each. but the other 100 ???? 

We went to florida last year and had a luggage allowance of 20-25kg each we never used any were near that and we had stacks of clothes !!!      

Bessie