Hi

Yes it's a rort isn't it. I had a conversation with a principal from a big Winnebago dealership and he told me, in perhaps an unguarded stimulated moment, that they cheated on the weights and always did. Why ? because that's what people want !! 

As far as cost of rego goes, here in NSW the cost is the almost the same as far as I can see for an extra ton or so. The big step up is for higher weights. Not easy to get this information from the RMS site. But my MH, Winnebago Leisure Seeker, which had been upgraded previously from 4500 to 6000 GVM was much the same full cost as my VW transporter. When put on pensioner rego both were reduced to $0.

Jaahn

PS That dealer also told me they regularly had the speedos wound back on secondhand Motorhomes over the years when they bought them to put on the yard  I should have recorded the conversation  That was this year !

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 25th of March 2015 08:56:10 AM

These add ons add approx 160kgs. The vehicle is licences to Carry 4 people. IMHO, you then have clothing, cutlery, crockery, toiletries and other associated parafanalia for these 4 people. 

Without the add ons you would still be overweight. 

Manufacturures should not (or the motorhome) manufacturure reduce the gvm so the can sell on a car licence. I would imagine that most Motorhomes of similar build would be pushing the limits. I find that behaviour totally irresponsible. 

You are correct in that purchasers should be responsible and check weights. However I fear not too many buyers would be aware of this trap. Anyhow take care, stay safe and enjoy the play ground.

Laurie

yes jaahn and if you get caught driving a vehicle that has been derated in vvm the fine is bigger .

i know i got fought in my 4.49 tipper

dibs

We looked at the Esperance 4.490 ,standard car licd , then we added all the goodies Bullbar , towbar , bigger fridge/freezer , extra water tank , more solar and sat dish. Well overweight , Dealer said I can upgrade gvm to 5.2 gvm just a stroke on the Rego papers but LR licd. needed , because the Iveco is rated to 5.2t . That didn't worry me because I have a HR licd. but even with the upgrade , if we were full and carried the extra 2 people it was allowed to carry ,I think it would have still been over. Needless to say we didn't go with it . Purchased Iveco 7t Jayco optimum and still have 1ton up our sleeves. So yes , most car licd. Motorhomes , I would think are running overweight , the real problem is your Insurance company will wipe you apart from the local RTA's fining you. Old saying Caveat Emptor .

We have a 2013 Esperence - bought 2nd hand with several extras, ie. vacuflush toilet and ceramic throne; bullbar; 2x80 solar panels, bike racks and diesel heater.  We were aware of these items when we made the decision to buy as unit was only a year old with very low milage. Had a couple of issues very early but fixed no probs thanks to the Avida RV Help. We purchased knowing that we would more than likely increase the GVM which we have the letter from Avida for and will attend to that once we have both upgraded our licences to LR (can't do it using an under 4.5t motorhome).  You are correct in saying many of the issues that arise with weight are caused by the extras that are installed or packed ........ we have 629 payload and out of that you apply the vacuflush system, the 2 solar panels, the bull bar, the 2 of us plus all the bits and pieces packed, plus water, diesel .......... even with the upgrade to 5200 we will be comfortable, but still may have to be careful about non-essentials!  One of the things that we may seriously consider is removing the vacuflush system and replacing with the original type, ie. cassette  -  that will give us back almost 45kg and a fair bit of storage space.  Can not understand why the original owner changed from the original one!

Best idea I can come up with for those looking to buy is to very carefully look at what is not standard; Take it over a weighbridge as soon as you get it home and weight it again fully packed with driver, passenger, full water, diesel etc.  if possible buy a model that has the allowance to upgrade the GVM and be prepared to upgrade your licence if necessary.  Regardless of the weight allowance of our MH, we are still happy with our choice and knowing that we went into it with our eyes wide open and we can deal with it.

Today I took the first step to upgrade my licence from C-Class to LR .... passed the DKT and now speaking with an approved driving school.  For anyone else looking to go down this path and are in NSW, get it underway ASAP because I was told by RMS that all their training and assessing is being transferred over to private enterprise probably early next year ...... that is going to put mega dollars onto the cost of your licence.