Vehicle weighing

I wouldn't worry about ports or the ferry but if you're pushing the weight limit I'd be more concerned about being stopped in Spain, 3.5t panel vans are notorious for attracting attention precisely for that reason. 

UK plod can be hot on it too.

It's surprising how meagre the payload of a 3.5t van can be, especially the LWB twin axle versions. 

You are so right, its our first visit with a van and stunned how little weight it can hold given the space we have empty. We would be travelling overnight to ferry so didnt feel too worried but then 9hrs to destination??. We are already on 3.5ton and thats without the 2 of us, should we be worried about that too?Do we have to remove items to cover our weight?

Pauline.

It's important to understand that when people talk about 3.5t vans it's a generic term which more refers to the maximum you are permitted to drive on a standard group B car licence obtained after 1997 than any actual vehicle. If you passed your test prior to that then you should be able to drive 7.5t and possibly up to 12t.

For the vehicle what matters is its Maximum Authorised Mass or MAM which includes everything, driver, passenger, fuel etc. etc. and in that respect many come in at well over 3500kg with their payloads being a product of MAM minus kerb weight. 

If you have a suitable licence then you can load your van to the MAM, it's only if your licence restricts you to 3.5t that you have to observe that weight.

Thanks for info, unfortunately although hubby could drive 7.5ton on old licence, on changing at 70yrs latest licence has removed that so B group maximum. Guess we,ll have to remove even more items to allow for our own weight. Such a waste of space, might as well bought a smaller van with same MAM. We got a 7m lwb instead. It has always confused me re.professional movers why they quote m3 of 12 m3 maximum and then state 1.5 ton max  if weight is then fitted in 8m3. One thinks the van can be filled, but not so. 

Pauline.

Most vans rated at 3.5tons GVW struggle to carry 1.5tons , the weight  carried  can vary according to the wheel base , there are 2 weigh stations that are usually manned up in the mountains on the way down  from the ports , I have seen mobile sites also set up in service areas as well so be aware .

Thanks, seems the message is dont go over the weight even if the van is only half full. Wish we,d bought a smaller van now.

Pauline.