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Weve been looking at the available payload of our twin wheeled tranny and was thinking of getting weighed.
Decided to recheck the paperwork that came with the van and looking at whats called the 'Certificate of Conformity'? (in German), translated a sentence 'mass of vehicle in running order' (I think!) at 3130kg.
With a GVW of 3850kg does this mean I have 3850 - 3130 = 720kg payload?
Questions:-
1) Is 720kg good for a 6 berth?
2) Can I rely on this 3130kg figure and what will it include?
3) It talks about 'distribution of these masses on the axles' of 1250/2100kg and 'technically permissable max axle load' of 1750/2600kg. Can I assume that the max value is that given by Ford before the addition of the body and the smaller value is what I need to aim for when weighing each axle?
Im thinking I cannot avoid the trip to the weighbridge but have no experience of payloads so might be worrying unnecessarily.
Ive just reread 3) and I dont think Ive understood the values. Why, if Ford allow 1750/2600kg should it be downgraded to 1250/2100kg by the manufacturer of the van?
If you look at the sum of the axle weights 1250kg+2100kg = 3350kg.
This is the calculated axle weights at the MIRO figure of 3130kg (allowing for a loading tolerance of (3350-3130) 220kg or 7%. The loading tolerance allows for weight transfer between the axles when driving - braking, accelerating or even a passenger moving about.
The second set of axle weights show the maximum capacity of each axle at the Gross vehicle weight so 1750kg front axle, 2600kg rear axle. Added together, this gives a total of 4350kg, so a loading tolerance of (4350-3850) 500kg, or 13%.
You cannot exceed either of these axle weights, nor the GVW of 3850kg. There is scope to increase the GVW given the high loading tolerance, PROVIDED the brakes and suspension can cope.
The MIRO figure of 3130kg should be taken with a pinch of salt as you don't know whether this included water, fuel, an allowance for driver etc etc.
Best bet is to take van to weighbridge, either in full touring trim with full water and fuel tanks etc, or empty (but still with full fuel tank.
The difference between the weighbridge figure and 3850kg is then your remaining payload.
Any accessories fitted will have added to the MIRO figure.
I have just weighed my van this weekend, and it was 3450Kg, MIRO is 3050Kg, so 400 kg of toys added! i still have 550kg of payload left though.
Unfortunately six berth vans often mean that they can sleep six overnight however at least three have to travel to the site in a car I can only dream about a your rear axle weight...
Agree with David. Go to the weighbridge, it is the only sure way to find out. We are plated at 3850 with an 'alleged' payload of 700kgs. We thought that was plenty and then.... on our way through France last Dec we were stopped and weighed and were found to be 250kgs over. We were lucky and were only fined and allowed to continue on our way without having to ditch the excess. We now realise there are 3 things to look out for: one is that we stripped everything out, went on a weighbridge and found that our payload is not 700 but 500kgs which is obviously the grey area between 'standard' spec and the bits that the manufacturer add on as options that you think are standard i.e. the swivels on the seats and the extension on the table etc etc. Secondly, your own add-ons like second leisure battery etc. add up fairly quickly and thirdly it is amazing how the little inconsequential bits and bobs add up to an incredible amount of kilos.
Bottom line it is so so easy to underestimate what we are carrying and it is important to get it right for safety, insurance etc.
Sal
Let's assume for the moment that the MIRO figure is correct and you do have a theoretical payload of 720kg to play with. In practice though what you might have is nearer to the 500kg difference of the two rear axle figures given, because most of the loading tends to go towards the rear rather than being able to allocate it between front and rear.
I would suggest a trip to the weighbridge in as near normal running trim as possible.
I have just weighed my van this weekend, and it was 3450Kg, MIRO is 3050Kg, so 400 kg of toys added! i still have 550kg of payload left though.
David
Hi D, where did you get your van weighed?
At the nearest quarry! Are you going to weigh yours? try the freightliner depot at Coatbridge, or the quarry just up the road from you. If you just want to know the weight, and not get a printout, it's usually free. At most £5.
I have just weighed my van this weekend, and it was 3450Kg, MIRO is 3050Kg, so 400 kg of toys added! i still have 550kg of payload left though.
David
Hi D, where did you get your van weighed?
At the nearest quarry! Are you going to weigh yours? try the freightliner depot at Coatbridge, or the quarry just up the road from you. If you just want to know the weight, and not get a printout, it's usually free. At most £5.
David
I went to the local VOSA site to ask where I could get weighed. They eventually recommended a council maintained site that wanted £20 to weigh my van.
I thought that was a bit steep.
I searched on MHF and found a place in Willenhal that will do it for £10. Problem is none are open weekends, office opening times only.
I have just weighed my van this weekend, and it was 3450Kg, MIRO is 3050Kg, so 400 kg of toys added! i still have 550kg of payload left though.
David
Hi D, where did you get your van weighed?
At the nearest quarry! Are you going to weigh yours? try the freightliner depot at Coatbridge, or the quarry just up the road from you. If you just want to know the weight, and not get a printout, it's usually free. At most £5.
David
I went to the local VOSA site to ask where I could get weighed. They eventually recommended a council maintained site that wanted £20 to weigh my van.
I thought that was a bit steep.
hi twinky use the scrap metal merchants on corner of havacre lane coseley jct with anchor rd, basically opp end to coseley train station they open saturdays and norm give guy fiver, altho said no charge twice, just pull along side before entering yard,
mark
I searched on MHF and found a place in Willenhal that will do it for £10. Problem is none are open weekends, office opening times only.
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I can only dream about a your rear axle weight... 
