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 friend of ours has a Coachman Amara 380/2, 2008 model.

Out of interest, I have just e mailed him for information on how Coachman list weights, and he has confirmed that it is done in the same way as our Sterling van.

The weights for his van are given as....

MIRO (van as delivered).........1040 kg

Essential Habitation Equipment....47 kg

Optional Extras Payload...........15 kg

User Payload......................98 kg

Maximum User Payload(includes above)160 kg

MTPLM.............................1200 kg


Your figures will obviously be larger, but arrived at similarly. So the 44 kg you mentioned will be the Essential Habitation Equipment part.

As you can see above, this is not part of the weight of the empty (as delivered) van, but rather part of the max payload. So the weight of the battery, gas etc has to be added to the MIRO.

Your spare wheel will be included in the MIRO as it is a standard fitting included in the price of the van as supplied.

I hope this does not upset the calculations for the new car.

Really, all you need to consider legally when choosing a car is the MTPLM of your van, and whether it falls within the max tow weight, max train weight and max towball load of the proposed vehicle.

Ideally, also, the MTPLM of the van should be around 85% of the kerbweight of the car, but I'm sure you are already familiar with all that.

sounds to me like he was quoting the items included in the new 2011 revised MIRO

Hi sorry guys i was pretty straight with my question does the MIRO weight of the caravan include the spare wheel. he said yes

When i asked if anything else was included he then rung off list printed above, he was fully aware of the model and year and it was quite a lengthy conversation with what i deemed to be a very knowledgeable chap  

I will be weighing my van before my main summer holiday as i work next door to a weigh bridge and have used it in the past, i asked this question so it would help me in my calculations as i also use a spreadsheet now with what i'm packing

Bessie     

Jennifernn i've just noticed your friends 2 berth has a user payload of 160kg yet my 6 berth only has 200kg

That may be why the items above are part of the miro. the emty van alone is 260 kg heavier than the 2 birth

bessie  

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 11/3/2011

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I use the same system John but also keep a check of the weight in the car (which is increasing) as that also has has a maximum permissible load

Phil

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Going to have to start carrying less......leave the wine at home?

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by jennifernn on 11/3/2011

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Bessie, have you consulted your handbook/technical details? This should give you the correct information.

I really do think that the person at Coachman has given you incorrect information when he said your MIRO included an allowance of 44 kg for gas, battery etc.

In 2008 there was no such allowance. I only quoted my friend's details as he has a Coachman Amara, to show you how the weights were stated in 2008.

Our MIRO is 1532 kg, MTPLM was originally 1815 kg, so total payload was 283 kg. ( We have since upgraded the MTPLM to 1900 kg).

In our previous van, 1998 Sterling Emerald, the MIRO was 1050 kg and MTPLM was 1300 kg, so a total payload of 250 kg.

200kg as a total payload is not unusual. Generally, the more high spec the van, the higher the total payload.

I really do think you should contact Coachman again (if this weight is important to you) and press the point. Then ask Coachman to send the figures to you in writing.

I would hate for you to make a decision based on incorrect information.

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Just spotted this on the swift website looks like this has changed for this year:

Weights: For 2011 models the method of calculating the MRO and payload figures has changed. Allowances for essential equipment (e.g. gas cylinders) previously allowed for in the user payload are now within the MRO. The provision for a leisure battery has been included within the personal effects payload allowance

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 12/3/2011

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Going to have to start carrying less......leave the wine at home?

Phil

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 12/3/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 12/3/2011

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Going to have to start carrying less......leave the wine at home?

Phil

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 Oh dear!  I first read this as 'leave the wife at home'?  This got me thinking..... Can't imagine leaving the wine at home....

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I'll check in the handbook when i get the van out of storage

Bessie

Quote: Originally posted by jhsw on 12/3/2011

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AS for weight allowance in vans,would be much simpler if all fitted accessories,and the battery and two gas bottles were included in the total weight of van....Life is never that simple.

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