Increasing the MPTLW

[T_5064313]

I read in another thread that someone had asked their caravan manufacturer to increase the MPTLW of their 'van. Is this possible for all makes? It would be useful to counteract the fitting of the mover to our Lunar Lexon.

Regards,

Tillman

 

[Guest]

If, as is most likely your van is fitted with an ALKO chassis then you need to crawl under and look for a plate in the middle of the axle. This gives the maximum weight you can have, and if it is the same as what you currently have, then you are out of luck. If it is higher, then yes, you can replate to that weight.

Do not bother asking ALKO if you can get the axle upgraded as they do not want to know. Why? because I tried,. They will give you lots of excuses that the elements have to be replaced and it is too costly and difficult. Basically, they would prefer you bought another van with one of their chassis. You may even see your chassis under a heavier van, but tough, it won't work.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi T

As Scotch Lad points out, if the chassis under the caravan is rated higher than the caravan manufactures plated figure there may be some possibility of having the caravan replated.

There may a variety of reasons that the caravan has a lower MTPLM than the solo chassis. You would need to contact the caravan manufacture to find out if they are able to increase your particular model.

Not all models with apparent potential for increase can be raised due to legal documentation under the Type approvals process. and some manufactures simply have a policy of not increasing MTPLM's

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I was told when I enquired that most caravan makers take the unlaiden weight & give you about 200kg for equipment & personal effects. eg unlaiden weight 1300kg, MPTLW 1500kg.

If they were to put a plate on the same van saying MPTLW 1650kg the buyer would think I would need a large 4x4 to pull that, the only difference being that you COULD load the same van with 350kg instead of 200kg.

Perhaps the caravan makers would like to comment please.

 

[Happy-Lappy]

In response to some of the earlier comments, I would assume that AL-KO would not want to upgrade the MTPLM as they would have to have all the relevant information in regards to the fitted equipments weight.

This weight information would be diferrent for all caravan manufactures, as they don't always use the same make of equipment.

My caravan came with a fixed side bunk and side dinette, but I could of had the dinette replaced with another fixed bunk. Had I taken this option then I would have needed the MTPLM to have been increased and the manufacture would have been happy to oblige,

best regards, Martin

 

[Frank_374237154]

I replaced the supplied mattress in my Bailey Pageant Vendee with a much heavier dunlopillo latex mattress.

To preserve my weight allowance I paid Bailey

 

[T_5064313]

Thanks for all the replies so far, I'll see what Lunar say once I've sorted out the delamination problem with them - that will be another story!

 

[RogerL]

Upgrading the MTPLM can only be done if it's below the lowest limit of all the components involved.

For some caravans where the manufacturer has published a lower MTPLM than necessary, it can be upgraded but only by the manufacturer issuing revised weight rating plates.

 

[otherclive]

I replaced the supplied mattress in my Bailey Pageant Vendee with a much heavier dunlopillo latex mattress.

To preserve my weight allowance I paid Bailey

 

[shropshirefuzzyed]

Hi,

may have been my thread. I have a new dethleffs camper which was supposed to be upgraded.Caravan plate says 1500kg max, chassis says upto 1600kg.brochure upgrade says upto 1700kg but i have been told that this would have required a chassis with independant suspension which i didnt get,the jury is still out,i have a new plate supplied and fitted and am awaiting offical clarification from dethleffs about its ability,the absence of a communication from them and a "unavailableness" of staff suggests to me that i am stuck with 1500kg. Dept of transport have told me if it aint on the plate you cant do it .I am waiting to see what dethleffs say before taking any furthur action,so far i am happy with the van but dissapointed with the uk leisure approach to communication! At 42 having had two vans and being from an automotive customer support profession I am stunned at the indemic poor aftersales service of the whole caravan industry,it lacks any interest in aftersales considering long delays for parts and service to be perfectly acceptable which i think is down to a misguided belief that with respects to customers "another one will be along in a minute",it is only by fighting and taking companies to task leaglly if necessary that we can hope to get some sort of adequate response for our hard earned investments,I can only assume that until now vanners have been a slightly likely to "not make a fuss" attitude.My age being used to getting our way and the industry had better start learning that "any colour as long as it is white" doesnt cut with us.In my business if we dont respond to a customer complaint within "FOUR HOURS" we can expect a "protective manufacturer" bending our ears in short order.

Andy

Andy