[David Wallace]

I have a 2011 6.3 meter Souther Star tandem axel caravan. Does anyone know the unladen weight and the GVM. The hub sets the type of bearings fitted and the 50 x 50 box section that make up each axle suggest they are 1500kg each giving a total loading of 2.2kg ( using a de-rating factor of 25%)

[Romany Rambler]

As for actual weight the only way is to visit a weighbridge fully loaded as for travel, I.e. full water and all food and clothing on board.

For axle max I suggest you give the Leisureline factory in Hamilton a ring or speak to your local agent.

My previous 6.5 Elite weighed 2740kg, drawbar weight 270kg, therefore onroad weight was 2470kg. Hope this will help as all SS and LL caravans are made the same. 6.3 SS will be something a little less but have the same running gear.

Robin

[David Wallace]

Thanks Robin that's a great help. I'll get hold of Southern Star to confirm the weights. I have noticed that English and Australian caravans have attached load rating plates but NZ caravans don't seem to. Maybe it's not a requirement in NZ?

[Romany Rambler]

No load rating plates, no nothing on NZ made Van's.

Robin

[Derb]

They don’t wish to scare away the buyers. Don’t take any notice of the”off the cuff” tare weights either - the quoted weights of the vans are frequently miles off (largely on the light side). If buying, insist on weighing with full fresh tank/S and both gas bottles full.

[David Wallace]

It sounds like the best thing todo is put the caravan over a weigh bridge. I think the local refuse station has one so I will see if they can do it for me.

[colormannz]

If weighbridge weighing, take something to rest the towball on with rest of van off the bridge to get accurate towball weight. Using jockey wheel is not accurate, about 10 percent less.

[David Wallace]

I finally got the Southern Star to the weigh bridge at the local refuse station and it came in at 2160kg. It still had two full gas bottles, 20 ltrs if water in the hot water tank, some tin food, and a Quattro caravan mover on board. Regarding the load rating of the suspension I have found out that leaf springs are equalizing so no de-rating factor is needed to work out suspension loading which is 3000kg.