That is quite eye opening. The car they had on was a big 4X4 and it wasnt that stuffed, however they were just under the weight limit. They had the boot full and 3 bikes on a boot rack but no roof box.
You do need to weigh everything. As you take the same stuff, more or less, every time, you only have to do it once, and make a list.
You do have far less weight allowance than you might think, and the chances are, if you're stuck for space, you've got weight problems. Obviously with light equipment, it makes a difference, but broadly speaking a car will hold more than it can safely carry.
Remember with a roofbox, the box and fastenings are already cutting into your max weight, even before you load it.
im scared to work ours out, we go away saturday and i have been thinning my stuff out but that was to make way for our new dog!!.Keep thinning out i suppose!!
Trouble with going to the weighbridge is this...if you're overloaded on the journey there then, although illegal, you can plead ignorance (you'll most likely get a slap being a private individual and all, as opposed to a hefty fine if you were overloaded and driving as part of your work). But, when driving back from the weighbridge you will be fully aware of your over-limit status and will therefore knowingly be committing an offence. So at the weighbridge you will have to ditch stuff - perhaps best take two cars.
And remember, you need to include the weight of all passengers that will be going on hol, so if they're not with you when you go to the weighbridge, then you need to add them on.
Also, the 4x4 thing....the load carrying capacity of a 4x4 is not necessarily any more than that of a car.Oh, and another thing....the load carrying capacities of cars and 4x4s are specified by the manufacturer. Where commercial operators typically run into trouble is when their 3500kg gross vehicle weight truck, that might weigh 2600kg empty is then loaded up with 1000kg of building materials, putting it over the legal GVW of 3500kg.
I'm not so sure that there would be the same issue with a 1500kg car carrying 600kg when the manufacturer specified limit is 500kg. It might not be good for the car, but if it's not overloaded to the extent that it's unsafe to drive then it might not be illegal - wonder if anyone can clarify?
Sorry about the rubbish opening post, but I was rushing to go to work. Just wanted to alert peeps, as I thought it would be of interest.
Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 28/7/2009
Max fine for being overloaded is £3,000!!!
AND they said your insurance would be invalid if you are overloaded.
That was the bit I found scary.......when I was tenting it must have been questionable whether we would have been insured or not. Wouldn't have bear thinking, if we had an accident.
Will be weight everything in the tin tent this weekend, as the same must apply.
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Topic: packing on bbc breakfast
