Overcoming Motorhome Weight Issues: How to Stay Under the Legal Limit

Not overloading your motorhome (ie making sure it’s not heavier than its weight class) is very important. Overloading can lead to unsafe driving as well as potential fines, invalidated insurance.

Not overloading your motorhome (ie making sure it’s not heavier than its weight class) is very important. Overloading can lead to unsafe driving as well as potential fines, invalidated insurance. Understanding motorhome weight categories, accurately measuring your vehicle's weight and implementing practical steps to manage your load are essential. In this edition of the Maple Leisure blog we break the issue down.

Understanding Motorhome Weight Categories

To effectively manage your motorhome's weight, it's important that you are aware of, and understand, the key terms and limits.

• MAM: An acronym for Maximum Authorised Mass, and sometimes also known as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), this is the maximum weight your motorhome can legally be when it has been fully loaded. This total weight includes the vehicle itself, the driver and passengers, luggage, fuel and any additional equipment. Exceeding the MAM is illegal and can compromise safety.
• Unladen weight: This refers to the weight of the motorhome when it's empty – ie. with no driver or passengers, luggage or fuel. Essentially, it’s the ‘base weight’ of the vehicle.
• Payload: The payload refers to the difference between the motorhome’s MAM and its unladen weight. Payload represents the total weight of passengers, personal belongings and any additional items you can carry without exceeding the MAM.
• Axle limits: Each axle of your motorhome has a specific weight limit. This is the maximum load that can be placed on it. Axle limits are set by the manufacturer and are crucial for safely maintaining vehicle balance and handling.

How to Weigh Your Motorhome Correctly

Accurately weighing your motorhome is very important, so that you can ensure it stays within the legal limits.

• Locate a Weighbridge: These are facilities equipped to measure vehicle weight, often found at recycling centres, transport depots or dedicated weighing stations.
• Prepare: Load your motorhome as if you’re going on a typical trip, including driver and passengers, luggage, fuel, water etc, plus any other items you’d plan to carry.
• Total weight: Drive onto the weighbridge to determine the overall weight of your fully loaded motorhome. Make sure this weight doesn’t exceed the MAM (specified by the manufacturer).
• Axle weights: Position each axle on the weighbridge separately so that you can measure their individual loads. This ensures that no single axle is overloaded.

Practical Ways to Reduce Load

Managing your motorhome's weight involves thinking carefully about what you bring along. There are various strategies to help reduce excess load.

• Water tanks: Water is heavy, so carrying tanks that are full can significantly add to the motorhome's overall weight. Consider only partially filling the freshwater tank before you set off, and topping it up when you reach your destination. Similarly, make sure wastewater tanks are emptied regularly to avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
• Overpacking: It's easy to pack more than necessary when you go on a motorhome trip. You should create a checklist of essentials - and stick to it. Regularly review the items you carry on trips and remove anything that hasn't been used recently.
• Modifications: Additional features such as bike racks, solar panels or satellite dishes can add significant weight to the motorhome. Before you have such modifications installed, assess how necessary they are, and consider their payload impact.
• Lightweight gear: Invest in lightweight camping gear - equipment, utensils and furniture – which has been specifically designed for motorhome use. Carrying these items can substantially reduce overall load.
• Distribution: Proper (ie. even) weight distribution will go a long way towards vehicle stability. During travel, place heavier items lower down and towards the centre of the motorhome. Ensure your load is balanced between the left and right sides of the vehicle.

 

Pitfalls

Being aware of common mistakes can help you stay within legal weight limits.

Passengers: Remember to account for everyone onboard. Including the weight of all passengers when calculating your payload is essential.

Fuel weight: A full tank of fuel will add considerable weight to a motorhome. Be mindful of this when you’re calculating your payload and loading up your vehicle.

Small additions: They seem small and insignificant so are often ignored during calculations, but the weight of small items you take onboard can add up. Regularly ‘audit’ to remove unnecessary items that are contributing to excess weight.

By understanding weight categories, accurately measuring weight and implementing some (or all) of the practical load management strategies we’ve detailed in this blog, you can enjoy your journeys with much more peace of mind as well as staying safe, efficient and legal. Check out some of the fantastic motorhomes available right now from Maple Leisure, and make sure you stay safe and legal once you’ve made your purchase and hit the road!