Weighbridge Visit!

[David M]

We have just returned from a month long trip in Spain and France, our local council is offering a "free weigh you camper day" so I filled up with water and fuel and toddled off to the weighbridge.

We have the 3.5 ton (25 year model)with upper kids bed and awning, diesel heater and have recently changed the wheels to BG Goodrich and Oz Alloys. The van was full re fuel fresh water, bedding, food and clothes and has one 11kg gas in the locker

There is only ever my wife and myself in the vehicle hence thought it would tip the scales around 3.35 tons leaving a healthy 150 Kg spare.

To my amazement the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG with 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front.

I was and am slightly shocked at the weight( and I clearly need to get on a diet) that we have ONLY around 40 kg spare.( I know UK give 5% grace on overall weight)but not sure Europe does!

I was planning on fitting a spare wheel and carrier but will need to lose some weight first from both the van and the passengers.

My question is :

Has anyone removed the upper bed frame, I know I can remove the mattress and ladder but that will weigh nothing, I did look at the bed slats, but they have some strange blue clips holding them in place which look like they will snap if I pull too hard.

I appreciate I could lower the water to half a tank which would save 50kg or so but all in all that would give me 100KG wriggle room - not great if you gave someone a lift one day!

Anyway this is just to give people the heads up re weight of the new 25 model and to see if anyone has removed the kids bed( metal frame) and if so what weight savings did you achive?

Thanks

Dave

 

[sticky1]

Dave, that’s such useful information and whilst I’m now in a Multivan Ocean I would take up the offer if my local council did the same.
My last van was overweight when I went on scales, but I had just filled the fresh water and had the brown water tank fairly full. We also had gear from a couple of weeks in France and a couple of bikes on the inside and Canadian on the roof, with all the associated kit.
We were about 150Kg overloaded but even with upgraded heavy duty rear springs with air assist and up-plated by Van Weight Engineering (who I recommend) and is probably a easier route for you if you’ve got grandfather rights on your license.
Like you I was surprised until I started adding up the weight of the various fluids we had on board. After that we were good about emptying all the tanks when the opportunity arose, the challenge we had was a brilliant shower that consumed 8 litres a minute, (which we turned down to 5) it meant that you had to have access to water to enjoy being independent.

 

[Fishface]

An interesting discussion : consider yourself lucky that you had access to a weighbridge - we live in Surrey and there are no publicly available weighbridges.

To solve this I bought one of these "bar" devices that you drive each individual tyre over and do the calculations from that. Obviously can't vouch for its accuracy, but it seems well made and is consistent in its readings.

We are in a professionally converted MAN TGE so not a GC, and it is a bit of a bone of contention that weight seems to be very little mentioned behind the glossy pictures of a van with a tiled kitchen, bull bars, swamper tyres etc etc ( not ours, I hasten to mention) that you see on converters websites.

So according to our gizmo we have quite a bit of wriggle room, even if you add 10% to the readings to account for any inaccuracies. Fully electric set up - but never drive with water on board and we are conscious of the weight issue.

I have a horrid suspicion that quite a few camper van owners have never even considered weight and merrily load up their vehicles with cans of beer, power stations, tinned food etc etc.

 

[WelshGas]

I wouldn't be surprised, when you read through the Forum posts, if a significant majority of owners have overloaded vehicles when they leave home for a family holiday. After all it is a fact that the population is getting larger/heavier and combined with all the creature comforts and leisure equipment that seem to be must haves nowadays.
How many owners know what their packed vehicles weigh?

 

[David M]

Dave, that’s such useful information and whilst I’m now in a Multivan Ocean I would take up the offer if my local council did the same.
My last van was overweight when I went on scales, but I had just filled the fresh water and had the brown water tank fairly full. We also had gear from a couple of weeks in France and a couple of bikes on the inside and Canadian on the roof, with all the associated kit.
We were about 150Kg overloaded but even with upgraded heavy duty rear springs with air assist and up-plated by Van Weight Engineering (who I recommend) and is probably a easier route for you if you’ve got grandfather rights on your license.
Like you I was surprised until I started adding up the weight of the various fluids we had on board. After that we were good about emptying all the tanks when the opportunity arose, the challenge we had was a brilliant shower that consumed 8 litres a minute, (which we turned down to 5) it meant that you had to have access to water to enjoy being independent.

Hi Sticky1! thanks for the advice

We do have C1 licence but the axle loads are 2100kg (both front and rear) hence would not need upgrading. I am however reluctant to up-plate to 3.88 ton as we noticed when in France and Spain that a lot of the villages we visited had 3.5ton limits on them, added to that my kids(adults) would not be able to drive the vehicle on their c licence. And my vehicle recovery only covers vehicles upto 3 .5 ton
As such I think I just need to lose a bit of weight or drive with a little less fresh water in the tank or remove the overcab bed as neither me or my wife would sleep up there as its too claustrophobic.

 

[andyinluton]

Gaslite cylinders save 7kg each v steel propane ones.

Do you know how much heavier your new wheels & tyres are than standard?

Do you carry the full size factory table or have you gone for something smaller?

Do you know if you had anything in the waste water tank?

Adblu full?

Just trying to get a feel for a standard van.

Our old 600 was about 3.35 when loaded & included awning and tow bar, one child, two overweight parents and a 20kg dog!

 

[David M]

Gaslite cylinders save 7kg each v steel propane ones.

Do you know how much heavier your new wheels & tyres are than standard?

Do you carry the full size factory table or have you gone for something smaller?

Do you know if you had anything in the waste water tank?

Adblu full?

Just trying to get a feel for a standard van.

Our old 600 was about 3.35 when loaded & included awning and tow bar, one child, two overweight parents and a 20kg dog!

Hi AndyInLuton

Re your comments:

We have one 11kg Calor hence now its 6 months old is probably 8kg of gas left and I think the cannister is 2.6 kg hence would save a little.

Table is the smaller one- from yes Campervan.

Grey Waste and toilet was empty.

Not sure about the add blue I think its got about 4k left

I think the problem is probably my bfg 245/65/17 and OZ alloys which are bigger and heavier than factory originals. ( but no sure by how much)? I might take one off the vehicle - weigh it with holiday suitcase scales and weigh the factory tyres/wheels as they are still almost new having only done 2k before I changed to the BFG

It will be interesting to see

 

[PaulGC680]

David and others
Yes interesting thread.
We visited Europe last year and a Swiss friend, with whom we stayed said that he knew someone from the VOSA equivalent and he said that from the 2024 data they had 92% of non Swiss camper vans we over the weight. For them it was a really good earner.
On this basis I looked again at our GC680, listing what was in it, emptying the water tank ,filling diesel and then getting along to a local weighbridge ( £20 well spent )
Even with the 3888kg. The available payload was limited.
I created a simple spreadsheet and now review and edit this.
We are away currently away and the attached is a copy of it for this trip.
Note with only half water - we have only 16kg available.
Our van does have tow bar and spare wheel, lithium and solar. But no gas bottles.

 

[David M]

David and others
Yes interesting thread.
We visited Europe last year and a Swiss friend, with whom we stayed said that he knew someone from the VOSA equivalent and he said that from the 2024 data they had 92% of non Swiss camper vans we over the weight. For them it was a really good earner.
On this basis I looked again at our GC680, listing what was in it, emptying the water tank ,filling diesel and then getting along to a local weighbridge ( £20 well spent )
Even with the 3888kg. The available payload was limited.
I created a simple spreadsheet and now review and edit this.
We are away currently away and the attached is a copy of it for this trip.
Note with only half water - we have only 16kg available.
Our van does have tow bar and spare wheel, lithium and solar. But no gas bottles.

View attachment 148039

Hi Paul -GC680

That’s more worrying than mine!!!

When you did your spreadsheet, I take it you allowed for the below??

Your factory unladen weight is 3273kg (3390 if 4 motion) which includes according to VW (Unladen weight includes approximately 90% fuel load, 75kg for driver and 20kg for water) which should give you a payload before options of over 600Kg

I know 2 people (certainly in our case will add 125kg to the already allowed 75kg) but even so on a 3.88 ton I would have expected more wiggle room. ( and you haven’t even got the weight of a second bed!)

 

[Souter]

I did an exercise last week about this and here’s my list
“Out of nothing more than sunday boredom I did an exercise to see how much weight we were carrying in our Coast.
Kerb weight as per Carte Grise(French equivalent of v5) is 2350kg. Gross laden weight is 2850kg, giving a payload of 500kg!
Kerb weight includes fuel(90% full) but no driver or passenger(s).
Have included everything in the van and made allowances for driver(me), passenger(wife), food, clothes, etc and at a max we will be carrying around 300kg when fully laden ready to travel and pitch up.
Full list in no particular order:
Driver and Passenger 120kg
Food, water 20kg
CADAC and gas canisters 10kg
Driveaway awning plus tie downs and pegs 15kg
External front screen 5kg
Sunblock screen plus tie downs 5kg
BOXIO 5kg
Clothes 40kg
Sleeping bags 10kg
2 sunloungers 15kg
Floor mats 5kg
EHU cable 5kg
Box of techy bits 5kg
Other box of bits 5kg
Loft ladder 5kg
Pots, plates, cutlery 10kg
TOTAL 290kg”

 

[soldana]

We have just returned from a month long trip in Spain and France, our local council is offering a "free weigh you camper day" so I filled up with water and fuel and toddled off to the weighbridge.

We have the 3.5 ton (25 year model)with upper kids bed and awning, diesel heater and have recently changed the wheels to BG Goodrich and Oz Alloys. The van was full re fuel fresh water, bedding, food and clothes and has one 11kg gas in the locker

There is only ever my wife and myself in the vehicle hence thought it would tip the scales around 3.35 tons leaving a healthy 150 Kg spare.

To my amazement the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG with 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front.

I was and am slightly shocked at the weight( and I clearly need to get on a diet) that we have ONLY around 40 kg spare.( I know UK give 5% grace on overall weight)but not sure Europe does!

I was planning on fitting a spare wheel and carrier but will need to lose some weight first from both the van and the passengers.

My question is :

Has anyone removed the upper bed frame, I know I can remove the mattress and ladder but that will weigh nothing, I did look at the bed slats, but they have some strange blue clips holding them in place which look like they will snap if I pull too hard.

I appreciate I could lower the water to half a tank which would save 50kg or so but all in all that would give me 100KG wriggle room - not great if you gave someone a lift one day!

Anyway this is just to give people the heads up re weight of the new 25 model and to see if anyone has removed the kids bed( metal frame) and if so what weight savings did you achive?

Thanks

Dave

Post here about removing the upper bed:

Grand california 600 over cab bed

Has anyone managed to remove the over cab bed in a grand california 600?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[David M]

Well, I finally buzzed the wheels off today to weight the little blighters, I had already weighed the standard wheels/tyres and they weighed in at 30.15kg( see photo) I also took the BFG and OZ alloys and they weighed in at a surprising 33.95kg( see photo) hence the BFG`s are only 3.8kg per wheel heavier( x 4 tyres equals 15.2kg)
Not really going to dent the scales... My plight goes on!!!
At least I know that 50


Kg`s will cover a spare wheel and ladder.

 

[itsSteve]

We have just returned from a month long trip in Spain and France, our local council is offering a "free weigh you camper day" so I filled up with water and fuel and toddled off to the weighbridge.

We have the 3.5 ton (25 year model)with upper kids bed and awning, diesel heater and have recently changed the wheels to BG Goodrich and Oz Alloys. The van was full re fuel fresh water, bedding, food and clothes and has one 11kg gas in the locker

There is only ever my wife and myself in the vehicle hence thought it would tip the scales around 3.35 tons leaving a healthy 150 Kg spare.

To my amazement the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG with 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front.

I was and am slightly shocked at the weight( and I clearly need to get on a diet) that we have ONLY around 40 kg spare.( I know UK give 5% grace on overall weight)but not sure Europe does!

I was planning on fitting a spare wheel and carrier but will need to lose some weight first from both the van and the passengers.

My question is :

Has anyone removed the upper bed frame, I know I can remove the mattress and ladder but that will weigh nothing, I did look at the bed slats, but they have some strange blue clips holding them in place which look like they will snap if I pull too hard.

I appreciate I could lower the water to half a tank which would save 50kg or so but all in all that would give me 100KG wriggle room - not great if you gave someone a lift one day!

Anyway this is just to give people the heads up re weight of the new 25 model and to see if anyone has removed the kids bed( metal frame) and if so what weight savings did you achive?

Thanks

Dave

Post here about removing the upper bed:

Grand california 600 over cab bed

Has anyone managed to remove the over cab bed in a grand california 600?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I'm sorry, this doesn't answer your question, but when we ordered our 600 (2022) with both upper beds and awning, VW would only sell it with a 3.88 plate. What is happening here?

 

[markab]

We have just returned from a month long trip in Spain and France, our local council is offering a "free weigh you camper day" so I filled up with water and fuel and toddled off to the weighbridge.

We have the 3.5 ton (25 year model)with upper kids bed and awning, diesel heater and have recently changed the wheels to BG Goodrich and Oz Alloys. The van was full re fuel fresh water, bedding, food and clothes and has one 11kg gas in the locker

There is only ever my wife and myself in the vehicle hence thought it would tip the scales around 3.35 tons leaving a healthy 150 Kg spare.

To my amazement the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG with 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front.

I was and am slightly shocked at the weight( and I clearly need to get on a diet) that we have ONLY around 40 kg spare.( I know UK give 5% grace on overall weight)but not sure Europe does!

I was planning on fitting a spare wheel and carrier but will need to lose some weight first from both the van and the passengers.

My question is :

Has anyone removed the upper bed frame, I know I can remove the mattress and ladder but that will weigh nothing, I did look at the bed slats, but they have some strange blue clips holding them in place which look like they will snap if I pull too hard.

I appreciate I could lower the water to half a tank which would save 50kg or so but all in all that would give me 100KG wriggle room - not great if you gave someone a lift one day!

Anyway this is just to give people the heads up re weight of the new 25 model and to see if anyone has removed the kids bed( metal frame) and if so what weight savings did you achive?

Thanks

Dave

When you said you filled with water do you mean to 100 litres max?

I am sure the manual recommends a maximum of 20 litres in the water tank for travelling as it's a hell of a lot of weight to slosh around, not to mention the impact on fuel economy.

For the top bed ours came with it as it was in stock in the dealer, we removed the ladder, mattress and slats. Then I cut some thin MDF panels to line the shelf, we find the lower area great for collapsable water bowl, rolled up screen cover etc and the top we have too large storage bins.

I did think about removing the sliding metal frame but I think it would be a bit of a job.

 

[andyinluton]

When you said you filled with water do you mean to 100 litres max?

I am sure the manual recommends a maximum of 20 litres in the water tank for travelling as it's a hell of a lot of weight to slosh around, not to mention the impact on fuel economy.

80kg difference on 3500kg of van is going to make a minuscule difference on fuel consumption.

If the tank is full to the brim, theres no room for water to move around so no sloshing to be done! half full is probably the worst case as theres room for the water to move.

 

[markab]

80kg difference on 3500kg of van is going to make a minuscule difference on fuel consumption.

If the tank is full to the brim, theres no room for water to move around so no sloshing to be done! half full is probably the worst case as theres room for the water to move.

Having driven the Van with tanked topped vs empty, it makes a difference especially when you are loaded up with other gear. I didn't like the way the van drove and did impact fuel on a long run, Up to you if you want to burn money for the sake of filling the water at destination.

Let's leave that to personal preference.

It all adds up and back to the OP when you have 40kg spare on the weight limit an extra 80kg is a big change.

 

[AndrewCook680]

Having driven the Van with tanked topped vs empty, it makes a difference especially when you are loaded up with other gear. I didn't like the way the van drove and did impact fuel on a long run, Up to you if you want to burn money for the sake of filling the water at destination.

Let's leave that to personal preference.

It all adds up and back to the OP when you have 40kg spare on the weight limit an extra 80kg is a big change.

Filling on destination only works if you are going somewhere to camp where you can fill up with water, if you are going offgrid in Highlands like we often do, you need too fill up with water before you leave home

 

[Roger Boeken]

Total weight alone is not enough to know, The maximum weight on each axle must not be exceeded either.

 

[David M]

Total weight alone is not enough to know, The maximum weight on each axle must not be exceeded either.

Hi Roger, totally agree with your thoughts, I was quite chuffed that although the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG - the axles were fairly balanced at 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front. (the plated limit on both front and rear axle on the grand 600 is 2100kg )

 

[David M]

I'm sorry, this doesn't answer your question, but when we ordered our 600 (2022) with both upper beds and awning, VW would only sell it with a 3.88 plate. What is happening here?

well I finally decided to remove the overhead-bed( see my seperate pody if anyone is interested how its removed)

The bad news is that when I weighed all the items removed the total weight was as follows:

Ladder - 3.75kg

Pillow area of mattress( little triangle) 1.05kg

Front mattress - 2.05kg

Rear mattress – 2.45 kg

Bed frame with slats etc - 8.30kg

Total weight removed - 17.60 kg

 

[Souter]

Rejigging the contents of our Coast in readiness for France trip next week

 

[Phil Dub]

We have just returned from a month long trip in Spain and France, our local council is offering a "free weigh you camper day" so I filled up with water and fuel and toddled off to the weighbridge.

We have the 3.5 ton (25 year model)with upper kids bed and awning, diesel heater and have recently changed the wheels to BG Goodrich and Oz Alloys. The van was full re fuel fresh water, bedding, food and clothes and has one 11kg gas in the locker

There is only ever my wife and myself in the vehicle hence thought it would tip the scales around 3.35 tons leaving a healthy 150 Kg spare.

To my amazement the vehicle tipped the scale at 3460KG with 1720kg over the rear axle, hence 1740kg over the front.

I was and am slightly shocked at the weight( and I clearly need to get on a diet) that we have ONLY around 40 kg spare.( I know UK give 5% grace on overall weight)but not sure Europe does!

I was planning on fitting a spare wheel and carrier but will need to lose some weight first from both the van and the passengers.

My question is :

Has anyone removed the upper bed frame, I know I can remove the mattress and ladder but that will weigh nothing, I did look at the bed slats, but they have some strange blue clips holding them in place which look like they will snap if I pull too hard.

I appreciate I could lower the water to half a tank which would save 50kg or so but all in all that would give me 100KG wriggle room - not great if you gave someone a lift one day!

Anyway this is just to give people the heads up re weight of the new 25 model and to see if anyone has removed the kids bed( metal frame) and if so what weight savings did you achive?

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave. If you have a C1 liscence then just get it up-plated to 3.9 tons. I used SV tech to do mine and it’s basically a paperwork exercise . Although it will cost you a few hundred to get it done; your road tax will be a lot cheaper and will pay itself back in the long run. Plus it takes the worry out of loading bikes , spare wheel etc. The only downside is you are restricted to 100kph on motorways and you need angle mort stickers in France