Explorer Group Caravans and "re-plating"

[john_5040735]

Hi folks - do any of you Explorer Group caravan owners know if they are willing to "re-plate" (mtplm)and if so at what cost and how you go about it? By how much are they willing to increase the mtplm?

Cheers, and thanks inadvance of you assistance in this matter.

John

 

[Guest]

The main criteria for any replating is the maximum axle loading. This is displayed on a plate in the centre of your axle, assuming it is an ALKO chassis. This figure cannot be exeeded by any organisation. ALKO will not consider changing the axle loading figure without a major rebuild of the axle itself, a very costly exercise.

So if your plated MTPLM is less than the maximum axle loading you have room for improvement, if not, you are scuppered.

I am sorry but I suspect that like many of us you will discover the manufacturer has used the maximum load factor he could in building your van. That allows him to offer more goodies. If you are one of the fortunate few, then good luck.

 

[Lutz]

Basically Scoth Lad has got it right. The opportunity for any replating, if at all possible without an axle change, will vary from model to model so you will have to refer your request to the Explorer Group.

 

[RogerL]

UK caravan manufacturers DON'T plate a caravan based on the "weakest" component, they use the MIRO plus obligatory payload allowances under EN1645 to get the lowest possible MTPLM so as to appeal to the widest range of buyers. There are one or two model exceptions but these are a minority.

If UK caravans were evaluated for their theoretical maximum load, ie minimum of max axle load, max brake load, max tyre load to get maximum axle load then in most cases the resultant "MTPLM" would be quite different to it's actual MTPLM.

As an example my Bailey has a max axle load of 1250kg, max brake load of 1300kg and max tyre load of 1340kg. It could have been plated at 1250kg but was actually plated at 1218kg which includes a relatively generous 40kg for optional equipment.

I understand that European manufacturers use the max technically possible or make re-plating easy. UK manufacturers use the minimum possible and make re-plating generally impossible but sometimes just difficult.

 

[Guest]

Roger,

I am not sure I understand what you are driving at. It may just be my understanding and nothing else. As far as I can see your own van has a MTPLM less than the max axle load which is fine. The axle load are far as I am aware cannot be exceeded by anything else. Tyres etc are irrelevant to that equation. They should obviously be suitable for the weight but adding stronger tyres will not change the axle load factors.

 

[Lutz]

Yes, RogerL is correct. The opportunity for replating on UK caravans is higher than Continental ones because UK manufacturers tend to specify a lower MTPLM than what the chassis would allow but the gap will vary from model to model. Because Continental caravanners generally work on a 100% max. weight ratio rather than a 85% limit, a lower MTPLM is not as attractive.

 

[Guest]

Ok, but I still stick to the point that the max axle load is the bottom line, regardless of what anyone else says.

The only reason why I could see a manufacturer giving a lower MTLPM is to attract purchasers by advising the van can be towed by a lighter weight vehicle, which applies to any van, provided you cut back on the payload. I have seen certain magazines testing vans and towing them with what would normally be unsuitable tow vehicles, but justifying it by stating the van was empty.

It possibly comes back to the issue of what is an acceptable payload for any given van. To my mind each berth should quantify a minimum weight allowance, but if this is done on many vans, then it cannot be loaded correctly. A case of cut costs and let the purchaser worry about the consequences methinks.

 

[RogerL]

Scotch Lad - Eurostandard EN 1645 is voluntary but applies to all NCC approved caravans - specifies minimum payload allowance for essential habitation equipment (gas, battery, water in tanks, toilet etc), minimum payload allowance for personal effects based on the caravan internal length and number of berths and a payload for any optional equipment.

One could argue that these allowances aren't enough but they're considerably higher than the previous BS allowances.

Most UK manufacturers set the plated MTPLM as MIRO plus those minimum allowances rather than using the intention of "Maximum TECHNICALLY PERMITTED Laden Mass".

Re-plating can only occur if there's a difference between published MTPLM and the Engineering Maximum, and then only with the manufacturers approval, and assistance.

Re-plating is possible on a few UK models - the advice of the manufacturer needs to be sought.

 

[RogerL]

In my own example I was trying to show that the lesser of max axle load, max brake load and max tyre load becomes the engineering maximum. In other examples the max brake load or max tyre load might be the limiting factor.