Ball Weight of new Off Road Van

No not at all. They are all placed in front of the axles.

has a simple ft/lb calculation.
Sorrt Kg/Met

Hi Disco
When I had the van finalised it has always had a 3500 kg tow bar
The design was just my layout and I have no experience in designing caravans.

I saw a sample layout and had it modified to suit my/our interior layout and equipment placement.
The manufacturer was then tasked with the overall design and to ensure all the weights and carrying capacity came within the usual ADRs and some basic guidelines.

Move the suspension is another issue and it cannot be moved.
It is independent suspension on all 4 wheels.

load stuff in the rear ??
That was their suggestion when I asked them how I should load the van.

These guys have no idea on design. Think it was just Control 'C' Control 'V'

So Geoff, you are telling us you or they copied and pasted a design? You just said you wanted one like another one? You can't copy and paste intellectual property mate. The other caravan builders may have built thousands that allow them knowledge that is their intellectual property. They then have the capacity to strengthen their frames and bulkheads or indeed lighten them off. Some will only build particular caravans if you have a vehicle big enough to cope and that you have the experience to tow. Indeed other manufacturers are likely to have copywrite protection on their design and plans.

In deciding to bypass all of that have set out on your own

ATM is 3500
GTM is 3160
Tare MAss is 2820

was built in SA

Place in Salisbury

hi geoff, was it built by a couple of young fellas names leigh and andy. Iff so are they still in buisiness as i know a couple of people who are keen to catch up with them, cheers mark

nope was built by a company with Michael as the MD

hi geoff, thanks for that, the other company was also at salisbury but there md was a guy called dave and his 2 workers were the names that i mentioned. cheers mark

Geoff

Two questions

1. What is your tow vehicle?

2. Have you considered/is it possible to move water tanks to the central rear area, [note important comments from an earlier respondent which correctly raises concerns about heavy weight at rear of van, you may want to take some expert advice in that regard].

FYI I had to reposition two of three water tanks to more central spot on my current van, one 85l water tank was placed immediately behind rear independent suspension. This has produced 350kg ball weight on 22'6" semi off roader that weighs 3500kg fully laden. The rig tows nicely behind LC 200 which has a Lovell's suspension upgrade front and rear.

I am also planning to relocate spare wheel off the rear bumper and carry it underneath in an endeavour to keep weight low and central.

Bob

Hi DD

I gave the information and what I wished to have to the manufacturer and signed a contract for them to build.

The Custom Build bit was what he advised he was able to do.
At no stage did I have anything to do with weights, loading, or placement of equipment. This was part of the design/manufacture undertaken my the build company.
I had a layout for the interior.and a basic front shape I wished to have to allow for front mounted spare wheels x2.
All that information was known and was to be taken into consideration when the design process was undertaken.

Geoff

G-M

I reiterate what I said above:

"you have had a caravan built to your specs. i.e. CUSTOM BUILT.

As long as it meets the design specs that YOU yourself specified on the custom order, then it doesn't matter what any of the weights are."

Firstly: as far as I can ascertain from all your replies etc etc, the manufacturers of your van have built the subject van to your custom specs exactly as you requested. So there is no issue with that aspect of the build.

Secondly: When manufactures build caravans, trailers, vehicle bodies etc, they normally/should follow the engineering rules.guidelines for such constructions (ADR'S). The same as when building a house.

Eg. If the total estimated/calculated weight of the van plus a load factor equals X then the chassis rails have to be X spec to safely carry same.

I.E. They can't under engineer the whole project to save money or make it easier for themselves.

This also covers location of suspension, water tanks, batteries (Heavy Objects) etc so that the van tows correctly and safely.

So! in your case, if the manufacturer of your van has followed your design specs and complied with the engineering rules of Caravan construction, then I would respectfully suggest that it is 'fit for purpose', regardless of Tare Ball Weight.

As to what vehicle you choose to tow it with, well that's another issue where the responsibility lies with you to ensure that said vehicle meets the legal standards to tow such a caravan.

I can't see anywhere in this thread where you state that there was a conversation of any sort with manufacturer as to what vehicle you intended to tow the van with.

In view of the above and if I were you, the first thing I would do is get an independent, engineering inspection done of the van to establish whether or not it complies with ADR's re caravan construction.

If it does comply then you are done and dusted with that angle/line of argument, and it's then time to consider options as to how the situation may be remedied in the cheapest manner possible.

Eg: (1)Use a vehicle that has legal towing spec for your van. How you do this is obviously up to you.
(2) Sell the van and start again
(3) Commence a line of action that may possibly be 'good money chasing bad money'


Whatever, I suggest it might be wise to seek legal advice on what your next move ought to be.

Best of British Luck to you.

regards

DD

Jim

I actually took the van to be weighed as part of the builders VIN Plate requirements.
Yes I saw what it was on the weigh bridge.
And I have weighed it again with full gas bottles, mattress on the bed and chaird and hoses in the boot.
I had 420kgs ball weight at that stage.

Geoff

Geoff.
Unless you supplied the mattress yourself it's weight should by law be included in the TARE of the van. The same goes for the empty gas bottles.
The TARE is anything and everything on or in the the van when it leaves the factory.
Ozjohn.

Thanks Bucky

Will have a look

Geoff

Thanks Phill
That's where it seems to be heading at this point in time.

Will keep all advised

No worries Geoff

But do not forget to "document all conversations". A note on paper is the best memory. Every little thing.

Catchya

Phil