[tl:gallery index=0 size=103×155]Our Gentleman Jack Bancroft is an irredeemable motorcaravaning enthusiast. His family have been camping, caravanning and motorcaravanning since 1928. Jack and his wife Flora are now on their tenth motorhome, a 2003 Auto-Sleeper Pollensa on a Ford Transit base. They have toured extensively at home and abroad, including a period of full-timing. Here, Jack answers your motorcaravanning queries:

 

Q: With my 70th birthday fast approaching I am becoming concerned that I’ll no longer be allowed to drive my 2006 Autocruise Starspirit as it may weigh over 3500kg. How much would you expect our Starspirit motorhome to weigh when it is carrying two passengers, half a tank of fuel, half a tank of fresh water and two gas bottles?
Len Brooker
Via email

 

 

A: [tl:gallery index=1 size=273×182]Please don’t worry too much, Len, as it should be reasonably easy to stay within the safe and legal weight limits.

 

The weights for a 2006 Starspirit are as follows: the MTPLM is 3400kg, so with a driver weighing in at 75kg, and with full fuel and water tanks, plus two full gas cylinders it should weigh 2818kg. This leaves you with a healthy 582kg of payload. However, if your water tank is only ever half full, you can add another 45kg to the payload giving a total of 627kg. Don’t forget, though, that the weight of any accessories that you’ve had fitted (eg, bike rack, awning and the like) will have to be deducted from this figure.

 

The best thing for you to do is to first load up your motorhome as you would for a normal tour. Then, make sure you fill up both the water and fuel tanks and add any accessories (bikes, walking boots and the like) that you usually take with you on tour. Finally, weigh it with all the passengers aboard at your local public weighbridge. This usually costs no more than £10, but it’s worth the expense for your peace of mind.