We Bought a Caravan, and Weighed it! Overloaded or Legal???

Welcome back 🤓
Well, we finally did it. After many years with the Slide on Camper, we bought a 2011 Lotus Trooper 19'6 Off Road Caravan!!
So to find out how much coffee and chocolate I can fit in, we found Jarad from Weigh Around Oz and got him to weigh our rigs.
Are we Overloaded? Or are we Legal? How much Coffee and Snacks can we fit in? Lets dive in and have a look at this topical, confusing, and interesting subject of Caravan and Tow Vehicle Weights.
Check out Weigh Around Oz here
/ weigharoundoz
NOTE - We paid in full for Weigh Around Oz to do their thing, this is not sponsored not discounted. Just an informative look at weights.
Some confusing terms :
GVM - Gross Vehicle Mass (tow vehicle, inlcudes tow ball weight)
GCM - Gross Combination Mass (Total weight allowed of tow vehicle AND towed vehicle/caravan
GTM - Gross Trailer Mass (Total weight allowed of Trailer/Caravan while being towed)
ATM - Aggregate Trailer Mass (Total weight allowed of Trailer/Caravan when set up; Not being towed).

[@bradnallyadventures]

😍Wow! Thanks everyone for the love, 10K views in 5 days! Amazing. Hopefully this has given some reason for thought, we are making our van lighter so we can pack more and remain under legal limits, some great suggestions here too, thanks. Stay safe

[@Wilbargosh]

Set up your ideal touring vehicle with GVM upgrade, tray, canopy, electrical system, fridge, kitchen etc. Sell your caravan. Use your cash to buy a good tent for remote travel and use hotels, farm stays and B&B when touring. You will save money on fuel and stress to towing a heavy object, insurance, maintenance etc etc……

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@michaelnugara1]

This is a very important post. Not many people are educated enough about the legalities of towing. There's very little understanding of what GVM is and what CVM is. Thanks for sharing.

[@TinyGoHomes]

I run 75% max. I can do 4500 max so I will stay under 3400. That always leaves room to pack more stuff and have full water and in my case some fire wood.

[@bradnallyadventures]

That's a good plan, we are reducing weight well now so I will use that calculation and test our packing :)

[@Booma69]

Very good video and great explanations. Well done.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thanks Gary, tricky subject to explain :)

[@TheMowogman]

A lot of Lotus Troopers from that time only had 3 ton Simplicity Suspension. That is how mine was delivered. With factory support it was upgraded to 3.5 ton Control Rider. A simpler upgrade would be to have 3.5 ton Simplicity fitted that will give you plenty of payload. The water tanks. two front tanks will be house tanks they say 95L but you won't get that much in the rear tank is a drinking water tank (unless its been converted) at 95L you won't get 95L in them. Happy Travels

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thanks, Yep 3t simplicity. I think we will try to see if Lotus can help with some updates. :)

[@chefmegsskinner2532]

Awesome work guys what a beast 👍

[@valtorode3225]

Excellent presentation!

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thank you kindly!

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@brianrichards3128]

Just bought exactly the same van with the exception of only one spare. Fitting it out now with what we will actually take on the road and then get it weighed. I'm anxious because our ATM is 2750 not 3000, fingers crossed we won't have to do modifications but whatever it takes to be legal.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Hi there, Yes it is a bit daunting. We continue to manage and maneuver to keep the weight down. It can be done but at least you are getting it weighed, Great job! Happy to discuss anything if you get stuck for ideas, reach out [e-mail]

[@brianrichards3128]

@@bradnallyadventures be careful what you wish for! I think I’ll certainly be picking your brain. Getting set up in the front yard & then a couple of days “off grid” to see how everything works. I’m leaved that there is no such thing as a manual

[@brianrichards3128]

@@bradnallyadventures peaved, not leaved! Damn you auto spell, didn’t know there was a grey water tank till your video

[@bradnallyadventures]

@@brianrichards3128 We just had a good handover with the previous owner, no manual but have figured a lot since. And, the lotus owners group on Facebook is good for info but happy to help, no point re inventing the wheel

[@rossdavey428]

I had ball weight problems with my new van and the way I overcame this was: remove the drawbar toolbox and replace with a Rhino plastic box from Bunnings and only put light things in it eg hoses and folding chairs etc (metal toolbox 54kg), drop from 2 x 90kg gas bottles to just one single (we found that one 90kg bottle did us for more than 10 weeks so no need for 2), get rid of grey water tank and move the forward fresh tank to the back to replace grey water tank (we found that grey water tanks are of limited use as most parks and free camp spots you dont need them), remove one spare wheel (the decreased ball weight from 1) and 2) means that you can compensate with reduced rear bar weight.

[@rossdavey428]

Also, contact Lotus and see if there is a possibility of getting a new engineer check and new compliance plate to give higher ATM. Most vans are built such that they will tolerate higher compliance specs. This wont solve everything but may give more wriggle room on a few specs.

[@bradnallyadventures]

@Ross Davey Hi Ross and thanks. Looking at those suggestions, and contacting Lotus is a great idea to have it all refreshed. :)

[@Feebeeee]

I think you mean 9 kg gas bottles. Good ideas to remove some weight

[@wyattfamily8997]

The major reason, apart from safety to get the weights correct is your insurance will be VOID, in the case of an accident if the vehicles are overweight and therefore illegal to be on the road.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Correct, and exactly why we wanted to find out what weight we started with, so we can reduce and manage it. Another great point though. Thanks

[@mervallan1822]

Most tow vehicles are OVERWEIGHT also. If they have Towbars, Bullbars and Long Range fuel tanks they will be just below or just over legal weight, without even considering the driver and passengers.

[@bradnallyadventures]

100% @mervallan1822 ! Exactly why we did the weight check, very surprising to see the numbers. Not much room in most setups 🤓👍

[@placestosea]

thanks for posting, very interesting. do you have information regarding the shower door replacement?

[@bradnallyadventures]

Hi 👋. Found the post, 10 tips here. Another reply also gave the suggestion of Coreflute 🤓 simsalsepicadventures.com/10-ways-we-reduced-weight-in-our-caravan/

[@placestosea]

@@bradnallyadventures thanks heaps.

[@markb7769]

You do realise if you have a major accident you will be illegal. Involved with major crash investigation and water tanks are registered as full even if you don't have water in them. They weigh everything as though it contains full water tanks or tool box is full depending on the volume of box which is then converted to kgs. If jerry cans are on board they are looked at carrying 20 litres etc. You better rethink your van.

[@bradnallyadventures]

@@markb7769 Thanks, I'll give it some thought

[@ladysusanjane2682]

Oh dear. 🤦🏼‍♀️ we had to buy a single axle van 16ft with ensuite with ATM 2550 because we would’ve ended up in yr position. I hope you can sort it out.

[@davidedwards8728]

Its definately a poorly monitored market. I weighed my van out of curiosity a few months back due to an upcoming 3 month W.A trip only to find my van is 12kg over the ATM. The van was completely empty including empty gas bottles, water tanks etc. NO modifications at all made to the van.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Hi Dave, Wow... That's lucky you did the weigh in, hope you managed to rectify it for the trip? Certainly an issue that catch a lot of people unawares.

[@VykingBoy]

Should be part of the sale process to provide a recent tare weighing. I’d certainly do this before buying after seeing this and guessing it’s only a couple of hundred $s

[@bradnallyadventures]

Good point, yes. The weigh in is around a couple hundred, depending on setup etc. certainly worth it 👍🤓

[@Feebeeee]

I would be rethinking the van & finding something lighter. Not having a go at all, just thinking it is too much weight to be towing, save the hassle & worry 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thanks, we thought about that. Maybe if we did the weigh BEFORE buying? That's exactly what is not done at large though, which is why so many people get caught out. We have moved a lot of weight out and balanced it, so our final weigh and check in will decide how we go forward. Fingers crossed :)

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@petermcmenamin87]

Bradley you obviously spent to much time away from the fast cars. Sunny wauchope is my home town. Travel safe and enjoy

[@bradnallyadventures]

Hi Pete 🤓 Welcome to our travels 🤪 Only spent a couple days there but will be back another time, let’s find a coffee place 👍

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@ronbirchard5262]

umm can you change you trailer axles ? what about tire size cause max tire load rate is another calculation to think about. also what about a sway / weight equalization hitch ? can you up grade your hitch ? do you have all 4 trailer wheels have electric brakes. thinking can you stop safe with it maxed out weight. oh do you know about hot cold tire temps and psi and starting out at cold psi temps. trying to save ya from a blow and a crash.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thanks, yep have electric brakes and brake away system, could upgrade suspension but it’s holding now as we are reducing the overall weight to make it easier. It was a good lesson to weigh and find out how the placard numbers don’t add up 👍

[@gyro65]

Or go to single axle van Small with shower 🚿 toilet. If one can be found bring weight down 👎?

[@bradnallyadventures]

Yes. We looked at some hybrids, but just didn't match what we wanted. Though we will see how we go with the final weigh in soon and go from there :)

[@johncorlett3699]

the caravan industry has a lot to answer for, they should have to display a wet weight,

[@bradnallyadventures]

That would be good, but I also think they are making high end apartments on wheels for a demand, certainly there is a difference between models and upgrades on any brand that is not always shown to the buyer.

[@JohnSmith-qj4cf]

Come to America lot easyer mate!!

[@bradnallyadventures]

Haha, a bit more expensive, but maybe that’s the trade off 😂

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@jimmycook872]

If you had a Nissan Y62 in the 1st place you wouldn't had a problem. LOL

[@bradnallyadventures]

Haha, would still have the van problem, but maybe not the Ute 😂

[@andrewberg2361]

As soon as I heard the word 'Lotus' I thought ' here we go '

[@bradnallyadventures]

Haha, well I hope the rest of the video was as fun 😂

[@andrewberg2361]

@@bradnallyadventures fun is not the word , scary is what I would say and to have this lethal weapon rolling down the road towards someone . Talk about the tail wagging the dog . Set ups like that are a pure danger on the road and the sooner this type of combination is outlawed the better . I wish you well and God speed .

[@bradnallyadventures]

@@andrewberg2361 Did you actually watch the whole video? Did you acknowledge the part where we wanted to weigh it, to ensure we could make the balance and weight both legal, and safe? It's unfortunate if you took the wrong message from this, though we made this to show both our new van, AND the issues that most people face but are not educated on, which is weight and balance. I agree that poorly loaded combinations are predominant causes of crashes. I also believe that there should be more onus on sellers to notify buyers of the actual weights and do their best to ensure a combination is not hitting the road that is not safe. Hopefully that clarifies it a bit, we have reduced more weight since this video and achieved a greater balance - However, this was only done as we had Weigh Around Oz actually show us where we were with weights - something not many other people do. We are much safer now, after having the combination weighed, we will be doing it again to show the difference soon :)

[@andrewberg2361]

@@bradnallyadventures no matter what happens your van is still heavier than your car so it is still the tail wagging the dog . Pull out your old grade six physics books and see why this is not a good or safe option . Why people need to cart an almost three tonne van around behind a light duty utility and think it is safe is beyond me . I wish you well but please post which direction your are travelling . I am going to hook my tri axle van up to the Yarris and head off for the weekend 👍 Or do you want the last say ?

[@shanescott1635]

Look like ScoMo …

[@bradnallyadventures]

HaHa! But I haven't been to Hawaii :)

[@ClissaT]

So at the middle of the video you are sort of loaded but you have NO FRESH WATER! lol So you can't go anywhere anyway.

[@bradnallyadventures]

Haha, yes I got a bit excited with my humour. We emptied one tank and the other had about 40l It seems we now understand why people travel without water then fill up near the base.

[@ottouring]

Hi, I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up. Great locations, reviews and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@raysater4083]

These van manufacturers are dodgy.

[@tyzon00800]

This topic has been done to death , move on nothing to see here. Poor planning

[@bradnallyadventures]

Thanks Rich Ard, not sure what you took out of this about poor planning, it is basically to show the issues with weight that most don't look into but thanks for your comment :)