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 Can we drive this?
652231 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:10 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Sapip  

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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
 
652237 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:23 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote

cabby Subscriber 07/01/2011 

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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
 
652245 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:34 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Stanner Subscriber 06/05/2010 

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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.
 
652253 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:49 am Thank this member for this postReply with quote

tonka Subscriber 06/06/2010 

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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"...
 
652274 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:16 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Sapip  

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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........
 
652278 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:31 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

CliveMott Subscriber 10/03/2011 

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Answer Not legally unless you take another test.

C.
 
652285 Post Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:45 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Stanner Subscriber 06/05/2010 

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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.
 
653831 Post Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:58 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Sapip  

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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
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653869 Post Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:39 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Stanner Subscriber 06/05/2010 

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We are all glad to be of assistance.
 
653875 Post Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:44 pm Thank this member for this postReply with quote

Grizzly Subscriber 31/12/2010 

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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.

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