Can we drive this?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 Motorhome Facts -> Newcomers
Author: Sapip,  PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:10 am    Post subject:  Can we drive this?
Hello!

My husband and I are going on our first motorhome adventure for 3 weeks and hiring a motorhome.

We have been told that the motorhome we are getting is a Bessacarr E665. We have been looking at the details and the brochure states the motorhome weights as follows.

Maximum technical permissable laden mass 4005 kg
Mass in running order 3380kg
Maximum user payload 624kg.

My husband has a post 1997 driving license and so we understand he is limited to 3500kg but we are not sure what this means. We queried it with the rental company and they have assured us it is fine for both of us to drive but we don't understand how this works. Can you experienced motorhomers explain to us what figures we should be looking at for a bit of reassurance Smile

Thank you from 2 very excited newbies
Author: cabby, 

Location: Eastbourne East Sussex

 PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:23 am    Post subject:  
If your licence is only a catergory B, then you can only drive up to the 3500kg Mam (maximum authorised mass). to drive over this weight up to 7500kg you need a C1 class licence.
If you look on the back of your photo card licence you will see which classes you are entitled to drive.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_10037875

or go to this page of the Dvla.

cabby
Author: Stanner, 

Location: Cambs

 PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:34 am    Post subject:  
When I registered my m/home I had the choice of plating it at 3500kg or 3850kg.
As it is on hire when I'm not using it, I chose 3500kg for this very reason - so people like your husband could still legally drive it.

The hire company are (very) wrong and if they don't know it shouldn't be in business.
Author: tonka, 

Location: Cannock, Staffs

 PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:49 am    Post subject:  
Stanner wrote:
The hire company are (very) wrong and if they don't know it shouldn't be in business.


I agree. If you passed test after 1997 then you can only drive up to 3500kg.. If this van is plated at 4005kg then you cannot drive it..
Hire company should be ashamed, bet there is something in the small print that says it's your responsibility to check you have relevant license..
Get stopped for a check or have an accident and you could be in the "poop"...
Author: Sapip,  PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:16 pm    Post subject:  
hmmmmmmm,

Thank you for your prompt replies.

This is what we thought, unless an older model has different weights maybe? We are not sure what to do now, but really has put a dampner on things at the moment Sad

Guess we just have to verify with them exactly what it is we are getting, and express our concerns again and see where we get........
Author: CliveMott, 

Location: New Milton Hants

 PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:31 pm    Post subject:  
Answer Not legally unless you take another test.

C.
Author: Stanner, 

Location: Cambs

 PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:45 pm    Post subject:  
Sapip wrote:
hmmmmmmm,

Thank you for your prompt replies.

This is what we thought, unless an older model has different weights maybe? We are not sure what to do now, but really has put a dampner on things at the moment Sad

Guess we just have to verify with them exactly what it is we are getting, and express our concerns again and see where we get........


Just ask them what weight it is plated at - the owner who first registered it could have opted down like I did, but if they did you may not have much "payload" for you and your possessions as that is quite a big van.

If it is plated at over 3500kg your husband can't legally drive it on a post '97 licence if he hasn't taken a supplementary test and they should know that.
Author: Sapip,  PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:58 pm    Post subject:  
We finally got them to accept that he can't drive this one so we are now having an Adria Coral 680 SPL and we leave on Friday.

Thank you for all your help.

Smile
Author: Stanner, 

Location: Cambs

 PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:39 pm    Post subject:  
We are all glad to be of assistance.
Author: Grizzly,  PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:44 pm    Post subject:  
Enjoy your trip and (most) of us will be here if you get stuck...or knock on the door of the nearest motorhome on the campsite and they'll be equally willing to help I'm sure.

These are useful articles if you have time to print off and/or read before you go:

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/forum-179.html

G
Motorhome Facts -> Newcomers

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2