MTPLM

[trucker]

Well we picked up the new van yesterday and are very pleased with it. What we did do though was weigh everything as it went into the van......... Shock, wow does'nt the list add up quick to a large kg figure

We've only got 52kg left for clothes food and awning!!

As I was reading the manual it did give a piece of interesting information, it gave the "possible MTPLM" figure at 1500kg as aposed to the actual figure of 1365kg.

Its a swift group van as was thinking of asking for an increase in weight plate. Would this be a problem when selling the van or would you reduce it back down to the origonal weight?

How much do Swift charge for the new plate.

Kevin

 

[Gareth111278]

Interesting....

The only experience I have of this is on 7.5 tonne Ford Cargos some where plated at 7.5 tonnes to allow car driver to drive them. but simply by changing tyres they would go up to 8 tonnes & more.

Its worth asking swift if this is all that is needed. However, could you carry the awning in the car? that would save weight in the caravan.

 

[trucker]

The tyres and ratings are the same as the heaver vans in the model range, it did quote a higher psi from 56psi to 63psi for the extra weight in the possible figures

Kevin

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Trucker,

It seems strange to ask how much a company would charge for a product or service on a forum, surely it makes more sense to ask the company.

 

[Dustydog]

Trucker

Our neighbours have just bought a Lunar which is 35kgs too heavy on the MTPLM for his car ( 85%). The selling dealer spoke to Lunar who as I understand it are issuing a revised plate reducing the MTPLM free of charge.

If Swift issue you a new plate , why not keep the old one and put that back on as when you decide to sell on?

I sincerely hope Swift do not charge.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

HI Trucker,

At the Swift group we try to keep our MTPLM's as low as possble to ensure the maximum amount of towcars are compatable with our vans. However for those people with larger cars who would like more payload we can upgrade the payload and MTPLM. For new vans this is free for older vans there is an administration charge.

There are no physical chaanges to the van (i.e. wheels, tyres, chassis, brakes, overrun etc dont change as the vans are designed to the larger figure published in your handbook). On newer vans when the plate is removed it becomes 'void' so it can't be re-used or reapplied.

If you would like an upgrade you can email me with your vans details and your details to technicalsupport@swiftleisure.co.uk,

Many Thanks

Andy

 

[trucker]

Andy, great response to my query. I have E Mailed you at the above address and await your reply. Once again thanks for the information in such a "Swift" time scale

Kevin

 

[trucker]

Hello Trucker,

It seems strange to ask how much a company would charge for a product or service on a forum, surely it makes more sense to ask the company.

Why, if someone has had one changed Id get the information, and as you can see Swift has responded on the forum!

Kevin

 

[trucker]

Thanks dustydog, see swifts answer, free of charge for a new van and what great service on a Sunday as well!!!

Kevin

 

[Lutz]

If the MTPLM can be uprated without the need for any technical changes, this would suggest that the exisiting setup is over-engineered.

Likewise, it seems odd, and pointless, that anyone would want to replate a caravan just in order to keep below a 85% weight ratio. If you consciously limit yourself to a lower MTPLM and never make full use of the plated figure, why bother to replate?

 

[trucker]

The point was not to keep to the 85% rule the point was that I cant get everything on board within the 185kg payload. If I get it replated I will be using the extra. Nothing wrong with "over engineered" if there is payload available for the customer to upgrade to.If swift didnt have this extra payload available I woud be pritty stuffed and have to carry more in the car than I would like.

Kevin

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Lutz,

This is a complex issue. All manufacturers keep the MTPLM low to ensure they match as many towcars as possible working to the payload allowance of the european standard. Keeping it low is important because of the car/caravan compatability software (now common place) only take into account the MTPLM figure. If vans were plated at the maximum technical weight many cars would be excluded which in reality they are more than capable of towing. This allows for people with larger cars to have a greater than normal payload.

The other point to note is that the authorities will use the weight on the manufacturers plate (MTPLM) to determine if your caravan or car/caravan combination is overweight or if you are exceeding your driving licence limitations.

thanks

Andy

 

[Lutz]

I wasn't referring to your question, Trucker, but I was trying to understand the reasoning behind Dustydog's neighbours's action. On the other hand, your desire for a higher MTPLM is perfectly legitimate.

Obviously you are going to benefit from the fact that the caravan can be uprated without the need for any changes, but it doesn't make economic sense for the caravan manufacturer to me.

 

[trucker]

My mistake lutz, I see what you were refering to now.

Kevin

 

[Lutz]

I fully appreciate the legal implications of the MTPLM with respect to the match, but the design specification of the caravan should be technically compatibile with the MTPLM. If the design is capable of allowing a higher MTPLM without the need for any change then there is scope for cost reduction somwhere.

 

[Gareth111278]

I think this whole thing is a brilliant idea! The caravan builders could almost offer a servce of offering new buyers a MTPLM tayored to the tow car being used!

As Andy says it gives people the chance to tow caravans with less gear in them legally with a smaller tow car.

Do you think Elldis would re plate my 1994 typhoon to my voyager's 1600kgs Max tow figure??

Gareth

 

[Lutz]

I once looked into having my 1300kg caravan replated to 1400kg but it turned out that it would have required a new axle, which was clearly not worthwhile. If I understand the SwiftGroup response correctly, they had already published a higher MTPLM in the handbook than what the caravan was actually plated at, so the situation is slightly different.

 

[otherclive]

I had a Bailey Bordeaux upgraded from 1340kg to 1400kg and all that was done was to affix a new plate and amend the van's details in Bailey's own logs. The Bordeux was'nt over-engineered as the chassis and running gear etc were identical to another Bailey van that wasa heavier MIRO. So by upgrading my van I have regained the lost payload given to the mover, and still have the choice of whether or not to actually load it up to its full 1400kg, or a lesser weight. If I cahnge my current 4x4 I stil have a van that can be twoed bya normal large estate car such as C5,Mondeo V70 etc.

 

[trucker]

Yes lutz there is 2 mtplm figures in the hand book one which is called a Mtplm Declared (mines) 1348kg and a MTPLM possible 15ookg. the only difference is the tyre psi goes from 58psi to 65psi

Kevin

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Being a Fleetwood owner I am wondering if it only the manufacturer that can re-plate the van.

I'm sure it also be of interest to Avondale owners.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Clive,

Yes it is only the manufacturer that can issue a new plate unfortunately,

Andy

 

[Lutz]

There's scope for cost saving for a start. If the plated MTPLM is 1348kg then the caravan could have been fitted with a '95' minimum load index rated tyre instead of a '98' minimum load rating that is necessary for 1500kg.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Lutz

Generally the axles are only available in increments 900kg, 1000kg, 1350kg, 1500kg etc. Overruns are 1000kg, 1600kg etc, towbars, chassis and tyres likewise.

So inevitably some components are overated. We plan for this and make allowances for upgrades. We also try to minimise our complexity and variety of parts we buy this helps us to keep costs down, but you are right some parts are over specified - deliberately. For example Swift allow an additional 10% load margin on all the tyres we fit this does cost more but we feel it is the right thing to do.

Thanks

Andy

 

[trucker]

Great service from Swift. Had an E Mail today saying that the new plate will be made with my request of mtplm, and be with me shortly

Thanks Swift great service.

Kevin

 

[colin-yorkshire]

thats a great result well done swift.

"Generally the axles are only available in increments 900kg, 1000kg, 1350kg, 1500kg etc. Overruns are 1000kg, 1600kg etc, towbars, chassis and tyres likewise".

that leaves just one question which is open to all manufactures if all the same alko parts are used on most vans there should be only a few actual MTPLM available ie. under 1000kg. 1000 to 1350 kg and 1350 to 1500kg.

so why is mine 1058kg if the parts are the same on 1350kg model

colin