Weight limit

[Wittsy]

I am looking at a self-build conversion next year, assuming that I can find a suitable MAN TGE when I am ready to commit. I would like to be able to lend the finished van to my sons and while I have the C1 category on my license, they do not. That makes it quite desirable to keep the van weight, when loaded, below the 3,500kg limit (I think I have that right). I am looking at a LWB van to give plenty of room for a shower/toilet and I am wanting to use a Lippert elevating bed at the rear and probably a fairly standard flat-pack fit out in front of that.

Part of the reason for the elevating bed, is to give a versatile garage-cum-lounge area underneath, with the possibility that I could carry my 180kg motorbike within it on occasion. So I would like to have about 200kg leeway when otherwise loaded for a trip.

Within the above criteria, how easy is it to end up overweight?
Or to put it another way, how difficult is it to keep it below 3,500kg when loaded?

Should I be careful from the outset, minimising my application of those heavy sound-deadening mats and using thinner, light weight ply if possible? Or is it a lost cause?

Apart from using Lithium batteries, what other aspects can make a worthwhile difference to the weight?

 

[rod_vw]

We've not been mean on fittings in our LWB so keeping it under 3500Kg was impossible. However unlike your sons we only had to reclaim our C! licenses as we are both over 70. You can see what we ended up having constructed in this thread.
I doubt that you will keep a reasonably high spec LWB Crafter/TGE below 3500Kg and have a useful load capacity.

 

[Wittsy]

We've not been mean on fittings in our LWB so keeping it under 3500Kg was impossible. However unlike your sons we only had to reclaim our C! licenses as we are both over 70. You can see what we ended up having constructed in this thread.
I doubt that you will keep a reasonably high spec LWB Crafter/TGE below 3500Kg and have a useful load capacity.

Thank you.

 

[Wittsy]

We've not been mean on fittings in our LWB so keeping it under 3500Kg was impossible. However unlike your sons we only had to reclaim our C! licenses as we are both over 70. You can see what we ended up having constructed in this thread.
I doubt that you will keep a reasonably high spec LWB Crafter/TGE below 3500Kg and have a useful load capacity.

Thank you.
Not sure if it is even a viable proposition…?

 

[rod_vw]

Thank you.
Not sure if it is even a viable proposition…?

There are muttering about the requirements for a C1 license being changed to allow B/B1 drivers to drive certain vehicles that are over 3500kg. Campers being one of those vehicles. I understand that the many EU countries have already done this.
I think it has been prompted by the increased weight of electric delivery vans pushing their weight over the 3500kg to be useful for purpose.