Please can anyone explain to a thick tehcnophobe why some people have this done? and is there a simple method of calculating your user payload? we don't carry an awning so guess ours is comparatively light, but must admit to not bothering too much about it.
The MTPLM (maximum technical permissible laden mass) is supposed to show the maximum permissable weight of the caravan. However, caravan manufacturers feel that having too high MTPLM will put customers off their van as there will be fewer cars that can tow it, so they specify a MTPLM that is lower than what the caravan can really weigh.
Having a caravan replated will then show what the caravan's real maximum weight is, so legally you will be able to put more stuff in it. It doesn't make the caravan any safer.
If you get pulled over on the road and the caravan is weighed they will use the plate to determine whether the caravan is legal or not.
------------- The Chinster.
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Anne, the way they state the MTPLM and payloads changed in the last few years, the MIRO now has to contain allowances for certain items, I think you may well find an explanation of it all on the Swift website, or ask on the forum.
You will still get a quoted user payload, but now this will seem lower as some allowances for things like gas have been moved to the MIRO.
We had our MTPLM uprated to the max, an increase of 85 kg, to cover the mover, Fiamma awning, air con, and a few other extras, thus keeping our user payload intact for all the other "stuff" we take on our long trips.
If you order an uprate on a brand new van, it will be done at manufacture, and will not cost extra. If done afterwards it will cost around £50.
Not all vans can be uprated, and on some the amount available is quite small. You will also get a change in tyre pressure to take account of the extra weight.
If the tow vehicle can take it, it can be a good idea, certainly we make use of our extra allowance!!
We were thinking of getting ours uprated as I believe it is possible. However, being a Lunar and much of their popularity being based around their low MTPLMs we were concerned that when we come to sell it the added weight on the plate might put some buyers off, so just decided to leave a few more things at home instead!
Quote: Originally posted by FionaW1971 on 29/10/2012
We were thinking of getting ours uprated as I believe it is possible. However, being a Lunar and much of their popularity being based around their low MTPLMs we were concerned that when we come to sell it the added weight on the plate might put some buyers off, so just decided to leave a few more things at home instead!
We had our lunar upgraded, and when we sold it, we didn't have any problems :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
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The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
You dont really get the mtplm uprated, you just get a new plate showing the manufacturers maximum weight - usually about 50kg I believe. You can always keep the old plate and refit it when you sell the 'van .
Ultimately its what the tyres can carry. Check the max load capacity on the sidewalls. No matter what the plate says, if the tyres are overloaded, you're asking for trouble.
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Topic: MTPLM upgrade
