Hi everyone Geoff & Donna, we are new to RV World and are taking delivery of their new 2016 Esperance in Aug 2016 GVM 4496 rated on a car licence to drive. We also intend to tow a car trailer 15ft with small car, trailer GVM 2000klg max loading.
My concern with looking at forums etc that manufacturers build these vechiles so close to GVM weight once you put your gear into motorhome we could exceed GVM weight I expect.
On this basis I expect we would have to have GVM increased as well I expect I would have to upgrade my licence to Light rigid licence.
I intend getting the motorhome weighed empty when I get it and then when we put our gear inside the motorhome to see what the GVM is.
I will not be happy if we go over weight, as we don,t intend to carry much but the bare essentials. You don,t realise these things when you buy the motorhome.
Any advice to a newbie would be appreciated as I don,t want any issues on the road
Geoff and Donna. Do you have your net weight yet. That will tell you your load capacity. Friends bought the same as you and they had it upgraded to light rigid license. From memory, 5 tonne or there abouts. Remember you have to include water, fuel, gas, both of you and the rest. It adds up quickly. Enjoy.
Thanks C Geyer & Philw, Philw have not got MH yet, expect within next couple of weeks I will as you suggested to get GVM loaded.
C Geyer we are unable to flat tow as car an automatic, the only way around that is a dolly trailer which I investigated and decided against.
geoffg - we tow with a dolly trailer, and have no problem - though our vehicle is manual/auto - we do drive in manual when towing, but it is ok in auto. Relatively easy to put on, adds very, very little to our fuel usage, and keeps the mileage from clocking up on the towed vehicle. Also I think in flat towing you have to have the accessory key on - someone we know has flattened her battery a few times from this.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Thanks C Geyer & Philw, Philw have not got MH yet, expect within next couple of weeks I will as you suggested to get GVM loaded. ---------
Cheers Geoff Gray
Hi Geoff
I suggest you get a weight straight after delivery. This will tell you whether you will need to just go straight back and get it re classified. A definite fact to negoiate about for an upgrade ! Then fill the tanks, gas and other stuff and weight it again !
Like a lot of things in this life, there is a lot of cheating and incorrect statements by manufacturers about this subject. Particularly with the models which "can be driven on a car licence". Some are just lying bast*rds in the sales teams and just want a sale and who cares about the consequences. Glad you have twigged to it early.
l would suggest before taking possession INSIST on a weigh bridge certificate then you will know what situation you are faced with. The manufacturer of my van presented van with certificate weighed on the day of collection. Good luck and safe travels. Cheers Allen
People are starting to realise. that there are consequences from going larger and taking kitchen sink with them. One day they'll realise you don't need all that crap. All it does. in reality. Is cost you more for bigger veh's and bigger fuel bills.
I've been from 12 ft 6 in to 28 ft over the yrs. Settled on a 6.5mtr which was 3\4 empty mostly. and now happy with an 18ft tandem. You'll find very few like me who have been doing it for a long time ('63 for me) have a very large setup.
A Motorhome is often on a (sometimes) small truck chassis sometime buses.
When used as trucks they need a special licence that goes with training/education. Where's the difference hey.
Same with 5thers. Some are as big as full semi, bin trailers. Large Caravans too, are not excempt from needing training/education.
Compulsory education at least would be an improvement on current system. and consequent current roll overs and deaths.. Preventing just one would make it worth while.
And don't forget Chassis and trasnsmissions have different tow weight maximums too.
You can weigh so muck. Carry so much and tow so much.
UP TO Combined gross max.
When you get near limits even tyre ratings and rims come into it.
-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 4th of August 2016 02:40:19 PM
if you check the fiqures you have a gvm of 4495 kilos and a gcm of 8000 kilos all you need now is a tare weight
8ooo - 4495 = 3505 max towing capacity(in theory)
4495 - tare = load capacity
next time you look at one that is already built there should be a plate on the body some where that will give you tare weight
-- Edited by dogbox on Thursday 4th of August 2016 03:34:50 PM
Glad you have twigged to it early.
