MTPLM

[Val & Frank]

Just read an article in this months CC Magazine on the above subject. It goes on about movers, and that the weight of the device needs to come out of the payload allowance. Fine I have no problem understanding that. The difficult bit is quote " However some caravans can Simply be replated to give a Higher MTPLM ". If that is the case and it does not affect stability etc, why is the mover not part of the MIRO. I except that some vans do not have movers, and that movers from various sources have different weights, but at the end of the day if the van can simply be replated why not allow for them ???

Anyone had a Bessacarr Cameo replated ???

Val & Frank

Val & Frank

 

[Icemaker]

We read this as well Frank and it did get me thinking, we have knocked about 30 kg off our payload due to the mover but with being a family of four i was wondering whether i could get our van re-plated, its a coachman vip 530/4 and only 4 weeks old so i'm going to ring coachman and get some answers.

Cant believe the person who wrote in thought it would just be added to the vans miro though.

 

[Lutz]

Whether the mover is or is not included in the MIRO figure is rather immaterial because the MIRO data has little significance other than to give the customer an idea of the useful payload. Only the MTPLM is legally important.

 

[Val & Frank]

Agreed Lutz, it just all sounds a little daft that you can have something replated, without any changes being carried out. So why not plate to the Maximum from the begining ??

Val & Frank

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I would have thought that the MTPLM relates to the capabilities of the chassis - but I do notice that some Explorer group vans which appear to share the same chassis as mine have different MTPLMs.

I could see how you could reclassify the movers as part of the chassis but would have thought that this would reduce the user payload to arrive at the same MTPLM.

Is the MTPLM simply arrived at by the manufacturer by taking the MIRO and adding a user payload that they believe is safe - if this was the case then I could see how they rerate the MTPLM if movers were fitted to the chassis.

 

[rayc]

Frank, the reason that vans are given a "plated" MPTLM that is below the " maximum possible" MPTLM is because of the 85% rule. The manufacturers are aiming at a certain sector of the market where normal type cars are perceived as being the prefered option of the masses.

If the vans were plated at the maximum that the chassis / tyres were capable of it would rule out "normal" cars and big heavy cars would be required if you wish to stay within the 85% rule.

My Ace Award has two tyre pressure ratings, one at the plated MPTLM and a higher one for the "uprated" MPTLM. The uprated spec can can be applied for, at a small cost, and all you get for your money is a new plate.

 

[Lutz]

It's not only because of the so-called 85% rule (which isn't a rule but only a recommendation) but also it has a bearing on the category of driving licence that is required. (If the MTPLM of the caravan is greater than the kerbweight of the car, i.e. the weight ratio over 100%, then one would need a category B&E licence to tow.)

Don't forget that only a few caravans can be replated without requiring any technical changes. In most cases you will need at least tyres with a higher load rating, in some cases even a new axle assembly, before the caravan can be replated.

 

[GeorgeB]

Just as an aside, most caravan manufacteres quote their MRO (mass in running order, i.e as supplied by the maker with no user items aboard) as XXXXkg +/- 5%

When I pick up my new Bailey in mid November, 1st thing I'm going to do is to take it down to the local weigh bridge & get an acurate MRO, as for me, it could be that I can get an extra 62.4kg, 1248kg X 5%,(on the down side it could also mean I could loose 62.4kg payload)but its a risk worth taking.

So my advice would be, weigh your van with nothing in it, you could be in for a pleasant surprise

GeorgeB

 

[Guest]

The van's MTPLM can only be re-plated if the axle loading will allow this. On ALKO chassis there is an oval plate right in the middle of the axle with the maximum allowable weight stamped on it. This is the bottom line for the chassis. Nine times out of ten the manufacturer will use the same wieght on his works plate in the front locker.

To change the axle weight limit to a higher figure means a very expensive and complicated re-build by ALKO, I know because I asked them that very question for exactly the same reason as mentioned, that another van in the same stable had a higher MTPLM. I was advised that the individual chassis are chosen by the van manufacturer at the start, and once installed are basically fixed.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

The replies about replating are confirmed in a question on p113 of the October issue of the CC magazine - I received it today.

 

[Guest]

I haven't as yet read my copy of the CC magazine but refer anyone who is interested to the attached link.

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/support/CaravanChassisBook.pdf
This shows clearly where the maximum weights for any individual van are displayed. No replating can change the axle loading, that can only be done with approval from ALKO.

 

[sparkes]

Well Bailey replated my van to 1800kg and even provided new baily badges that state

Bailey, max load upgrade

The only thing I had to do was correct the tyre pressures in the service book to the new PSI's

Steve

 

[Lutz]

Even if the manufacturer states that only the tyre pressures need to be adjusted, I would still advise checking the load rating on the tyre sidewalls if they are adequate for the higher MTPLM.

 

[Guest]

Steve,

Glad yours was able to be changed However, if Bailey replated your van then the axle loading must have allowed it. Even Bailey cannot change that. I would still suggest checking the axle plate to make sure you are safe. However, most manufacturers will fit the most suitable chassis for the van and are not likely to use one that can carry a far bigger payload than the van has been designed for. It could also make the chassis too stiff and could cause damage, especially if the van was unloaded.

One thing I have noticed is that European vans are often listed with lower MTPLM's when imported to the UK, however the axle loading is still the same higher figure as listed in Europe. Whether this is a marketing ploy to attract buyers who may have lighter vehicles, or not, I don't know.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi everyone,

Sorry if I am bit late but with regard to different MPTLM's even though what appears to be the same chassis is fitted to different models of caravan.

Even though the same pattern of chassis memebres is used, as Lutz has indicated, the main axle beam is available in different ratings dependnat on the rubber used in the swinging arm 'indespension' type units.

There are other factors such as the vertical distibution of mass within the caravan structure, this also affects the moving dynamics and the load on the chassis/suspension.