Payload - help!

[tonyjones]

We're considering a Romahome Dimension as our next van, but a bit confused about the payload. The "checklist" on p.126 of the May "Which MC," cl;aiming to be based on manufacturers figures, shows the Dimension payload as only 250kg, while all the other vans in the same class range between 446 and 900kg - including many based on Sevel "sister" vans.
Then I go to www.romahome.com/specs.html and find a figure of 439kg (admittedly looks like last year's model - but that's probably what we'd be interested in).
Is there a misprint in "Which," or is the Dimension's figure more "honest" (ie with more essentials deducted from MAM), or is it really so intrinsically heavy compared to all the others (despite its moulded GRP interior)?

Can anyone tell me?

Tony Jones

[Pauline]

Hi Tony

According to our Dimension handbook it is 439 kg

This is what it says in the book:

Max Authorised Laden Mass 2900 kg
Actual Vehicle Mass 2386 kg (Driver included)
Vehicle Operating Mass 2461 kg (1 passenger included)
Spare Mass Capacity 439 kg

The actual vehicle mass is the kerb weight of the base vehicle, together with the motorhome verion "in running order" and including bodywork, coolant, oils, fuel, spare wheel, all possibe fitted extras for the motorhome as detailed in our price list, drinking water, gas and 75 kg for the driver.

The Actual vehicle mass is quoted to include extras whether you have fitted them or not.

Vehicle Operating Mass is the Actual Vehicle Mass plus an allowance of 75 kg for each passenger for whom a seat is provided

Spare Mass Capacity is the extra mass, which you may carry and is calculated by deducting the Vehicle Operating Mass from the Maximum Authorised Mass.

The following definitions apply: The Max Authorised Mass is the maximum technically permissible laden mass as defined by the vehicle manufacturer.

All weights are subject to a plus or minus 4%

Hope that helps.

PS Ours is a 2005 model

[tonyjones]

Thanks Pauline - that's the sort of info I need. If we go for a Dimension it'll probably be similar age to yours - or maybe slightly earlier but same shape. And since the "spare capacity" is measured AFTER filling up with fuel, drinking water and gas 439 seems fine.

Can't help wondering where WMC got its figure of 250 from!
Thanks again.

Tony

[Pauline]

Glad to help Tony, we can certainly recommend the Dimension.

These magazines often get their facts wrong. We read one once that was doing a comparison between the Dimension and another van (can't remember which one now) but they had the wrong photos to the captions and said the Dimension had no fridge!

[ant]

Hi Tony.
Re Pay load of the new Dimension, I too questioned the printed Spare mass capacity with Romahome and they physically took a Dimension with all tanks full, gas on board, awning fitted and the driver down to the local weigh bridge. The result was that there was still 520kg left for a load, while this figure is not a true spare mass capacity it does prove the magazine figure to be wildly out. Romahome are in the process of issuing the correct SMC figures, I'm guessing it will be somewhere near the 500KG mark.
Ant

[mike and heather]

All very interesting. Our Dimension 2 is packed up with a fair amount of weight ready to go tomorrow.
I hope all existing owners of the new model will be informed of the accurate figure as soon as it's calculated. The van certainly feel strong enough to carry a fair load.
I must admit we have never weighed caravans or the Dimension 1 on a weighbridge - hands up if YOU have?
Mike

[Derek]

mikeminim said:

.
I must admit we have never weighed caravans or the Dimension 1 on a weighbridge - hands up if YOU have?
Mike

Nope, never used a weighbridge, I thought you only went there if having a meaningful discussion abt being overloaded. The vehicle dragging its tail, ballooning tyres and handling like a pig, normally gives you a clue.

I would like to see a figure indicating the percentage of the vans load potential taken up by the conversion. OK, I know you can work it out but it would be nice to see it in reviews for hitops and rising roof campers.

Derek