Weights ABC

The technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle (e.g. 3,500 kg) is a mass specification set by the manufacturer which the vehicle must not exceed. Information on the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the model you have chosen can be found in the technical data. If the vehicle exceeds the technically permissible maximum laden mass in everyday driving, this constitutes an administrative offence which may result in a fine.

The specified mass in running order is a default value defined in the type-approval procedure. Due to manufacturing tolerances, the actual weighed mass in running order may deviate from the value stated above. Deviations of up to +/- 5 % of the mass in running order are legally permissible and possible. In simple terms, the mass in running order is the basic vehicle with standard equipment plus a legally fixed standard weight of 75 kg for the driver.

This essentially includes the following items:

▪ the unladen weight of the vehicle together with the bodywork, including operating fluids such as greases, oils and coolants;
▪ the standard equipment, i.e. all equipment items that are included as standard in the factory-fitted scope of delivery;
▪ the fresh water tank filled to 100 % in driving mode (driving fill according to manufacturer's specifications; 20 litres) and an aluminium gas cylinder filled to 100 % with a weight of 16 kg;
▪ the fuel tank, which is 90 % full, including fuel;
▪ the driver, whose weight – regardless of the actual weight – is generally specified as 75 kg in accordance with EU law.

The manufacturer-specified mass for optional equipment is a value set by LMC per layout for the maximum mass of optional equipment that can be ordered. This limit is intended to ensure that the minimum pay-mass, i.e. the legally prescribed free mass for baggage and retrofitted accessories, is actually available for the vehicle load capacity of the vehicles delivered by LMC.

The mass of the passengers is set a standard value of 75 kg for each seat provided by the manufacturer, regardless of the actual weight of the passengers. The mass of the driver is already included in the mass in running order (see no. 2 above) and is therefore not included again. In the case of a motorhome with four permitted seats, the mass of the passengers is therefore 3 * 75 kg = 225 kg.

The EU regulations stipulate a fixed minimum pay-mass for motorhomes, which must remain as a minimum for baggage or other non-factory-fitted accessories. This minimum pay-mass is calculated as follows: 10 * (n + L)

Where: “n” is the maximum number of passengers plus the driver and “L” is the overall length of the vehicle in metres. For a motorhome with a length of 6 m and 4 approved seats, the minimum pay-mass is therefore e.g. 10 kg * (4 + 6) = 100 kg.

The additional weight of optional equipment and packages increases the actual mass of the vehicle (= mass in running order plus selected optional equipment) and reduces the pay-mass. The specified value shows the additional weight compared to the standard equipment of the respective layout. The total weight of the selected packages and optional equipment must not exceed the manufacturer-specified mass for optional equipment.

The Vario seat is an optional 5th seat considered as a regular seat when calculating the minimum payload and passenger mass. To obtain a 5th seat, it must be ensured that the minimum payload is maintained and all other legal mass values are observed. For detailed information, please contact our trading partners.

To inform you as best as possible and transparently about the weights in our sales documents (print and digital), we are generally guided by the legally prescribed terminology. Since July 6, 2022, these have been specified in particular in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 (previously: Regulation (EU) No. 1230/2012). The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 is made available online in the various EU languages: EUR-Lex - 32021R0535 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The mass of the vehicle in running order (see No. 2) and the mass of the optional equipment fitted to a specific vehicle at the factory are together referred to as the actual mass of the vehicle. You will find the corresponding information for your vehicle after handover under item 13.2 of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Please note that this information also represents a standardized value. Since the mass in running order – as an element of the actual mass – is subject to a legally permissible tolerance of +/- 5% (see also no. 2), the actual mass may also deviate accordingly from the specified nominal value.

If, in exceptional cases, the weighing of your vehicle at the end of the line shows that the actual load capacity falls short of the minimum pay-mass due to an upward deviation of the permissible mass in running order, we will check together with you and the dealer before delivery of the vehicle whether we should, for example, increase the load capacity of the vehicle, reduce the number of seats, or remove optional equipment. 

In order to ensure the best possible transparency regarding the weights of our vehicles, we send the result of the weighing of the vehicle at the end of the line, i.e. information on the actual weighed mass of the vehicle as well as the remaining load capacity, to our dealers together with the invoice. They are required to pass on the information to you. If you have not received this information, you can contact your dealer and request it. 

Our scales meet all legal and standard requirements and are regularly maintained, tested, and calibrated. Nevertheless, a slight tolerance is technically unavoidable. Moreover, the weight of the vehicle may vary slightly due to weather conditions and, for example, the associated absorption or release of moisture. The actual weight of the vehicle may therefore deviate from the actual weight communicated.

In the case of a reduction of load capacity, the technically permissible maximum laden mass is reduced and, due to the alternative chassis, the remaining load capacity is also reduced. Due to the change in the technically permissible maximum laden mass, reductions of load capacity may affect the permitted seats, the chassis, and the engine variant. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our dealers for advice. 

If you wish a subsequent reduction of the load capacity of your vehicle, you can have this reduction carried out by the Technical Service. In your own interest, we recommend that you ensure compliance with all legal mass values at all times. 

A reduction or increase of load capacity may result in changes to the legal requirements resulting from the new technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle. This applies in particular to the German Road Traffic Act (StVO), the German Road Vehicle Registration Regulation (StVZO), toll regulations, and aspects of tax and insurance law. Therefore, inform yourself about the current legal situation with regard to the new technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle and seek advice on this from the appropriate bodies.

If you decide to retrofit accessories to the vehicle or have them retrofitted by the dealer, you should check the mass values of the accessories and of your vehicle beforehand and ensure that all legal mass values, in particular the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle and the technically permissible maximum laden mass on the axles, are still complied with if the accessories are taken into account. Please note that retrofitting accessories reduces your load capacity accordingly and affects the mass on the axle.