What's a reasonable payload for 2 adults?
We really like the Autotrail 634 but worried about the weights
The van comes standard at 3500kg but a free upgrade to 3650kg (just a paper chase)
Examples shown below are all with driver and passenger in, 90% tank of fuel but empty water and waste water tanks, 1 gas bottle, solar panel, extra battery and media pack installed
At 3500kg this is worrying
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]At 3650kg it gets a bit better
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Or to throw a spanner in the works we could change our minds and got for the Autotrail 700 which we originally thought about buying till we stepped in the 634 and was both amazed at the size of the lounge and living space, this is on the heavy chassis and gross's at 4250kg
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]634 gross weight = 3500kg
634 MIRO = 3230kg
634 Payload = 270kg
634 gross weight = 3650kg
634 MIRO = 3230kg
634 payload = 420kg
700 gross weight = 4250kg
700 MIRO = 3445kg
700 payload = 805kg
We love the 634, why dont they offer this with the heavy chassis
It is particularly important that all motorhome customers understand how weights are calculated and how certain weight allowances can change, whilst other weights are fixed.
A. MAXIMUM AUTHORISED WEIGHT The Maximum Authorised Weight (MAW) is exactly what it says, this weight is fixed and is a total weight of the vehicle when fully loaded, it is a weight which should not be exceeded. The vehicle is designed to operate perfectly safely at the MAW, however exceeding this weight may lead to prosecution and your insurance cover being void.
B. MASS IN RUNNING ORDER The mass in running order (MRO) is the unladen weight of a standard vehicle, but this advertised weight includes 75kg for a driver and the weight for the diesel assuming the tank is 90% full and with the freshwater tank filled to its 20 litre travelling level. If the fresh tank is full the MRO will increase accordingly. *Arapaho, Chieftain & Comanche do not have a travel drain facility. Gas bottles - All vehicles have the allocation of 1x13kg gas bottle filled to 90%. There is a provision for a second bottle in the options allowance should customers choose to use it.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A AND B... The difference between A and B is the weight available to you, for the carrying of passengers, personal belongings and the fitting off any optional extras.
Only by consciously reducing the amount of water, fuel and gas carried, can you reduce the MRO and therefore have more load allowance available to carry extra personal belongings or choose to have additional optional equipment fitted. (The weight guide of liquids – 1 litre of liquid = 1 kg)
EDIT -
Just been informed that you can uprate the 634 to 3850kg so this would roughly work out at
634 gross weight = 3850kg
634 MIRO = 3230kg
634 payload = 620kg
But this would involve fitting higher rated rear tyres, air suspension and more than likely going through SVTech for the upgrade
Approx
Tyres - £250
Air Rides - £350
Svtech - £250
Total £850ish
All food for thought and scrambling my head some more