Throughout my inquiries and research I continue to be surprised by how people can own and travel vast distances in a van and still not have any idea of the weight parameters pursuant to their vehicles.
I have recently been looking at a 2003 5th Wheeler paired with an F250. After finally prizing, (it was like drawing teeth), the information out of the owners, I found some concerning results. The current owners are the third and purchased the rig in 2008. At that time it did not have a compliance plate!!! they contacted the manufacturer who sent them one. How was this van ever registered? The current owners have no inspection, gas or electrical certificates and the registration is for a State that the van has not been in for 7 years.
The Kerb weight of the tug, eventually, obtained from a recent weighing, is 3260 kg and the GVM is 4200 kg. Once the manufacturers pin weight of 850 kg is added you are left with payload of just 90 kg, for 109 lt fuel, passengers and sundries Overloaded!
ATM of van is 3800 kg, TARE is 3440. (Same recent weighing). After adding 280 kg for water and gas you are left with 80 kg for everything else. Totally unrealistic. You can fit a lot into a 28 foot 5ver. So much for the bikes I wanted to carry.
I asked the Australian manufacturer for an explanation of why this vehicle had been paired with this van, (the tug even has the manufacturers Logo on it), why there had been no compliance plate or certificates and for comment on the unrealistic payload of the van. Also whether the ATM could be increased, I am yet to receive a reply.
The current owners claimed to be unaware of the fact that they had probably been driving around in an overloaded rig for a number of years - just lucky? Their reaction when told, "WE. never had a problem." This rig is still on the market.
According to the manufacturer he produced a number of these rig combinations.
I have also become cautious with any seller who stipulates phone enquiries only no SMS or e-mails. It is so easy these days to have all documentation, photos and specs included in a simple to send file. It is also best to have all details recorded.
-- Edited by Captain Ron on Wednesday 14th of March 2018 11:32:26 PM
Hi Ron Id like to say Im surprised but Im not l know on my own I have 400 kg to spare on the trailer axel group but the patrol has only room for me to reach its gvm tray is to heavy have been going to build my own but havent yet as Im now looked ng to go to a 4x4 light truck for several reasons not least of which is weight
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
When I first commenced my pre-purchase research for a van I devoured everything I could on various sites and forums and the information I was able to extract has more than once steered me away from making a poor decision.
Although the matter of weights has been hashed over again and again, to the apparent annoyance of the long term and experienced brigade, it remains very relevant and should be of interest to those venturing into the 'minefield' of caravan purchase for the first time. I cannot emphasize enough how important this aspect is.
I just hope that this post may have alerted a 'newbie' as to areas that they need to be very aware of. The ramifications of ending up with a van or tug that is not able to 'legally' carry out the job you want it to do are many...............safety and insurance being two of the most serious considerations.
