Omega Owners Forum

Newbie Area => Newbie Welcome Area => Topic started by: Omega25BMW on 31 December 2007, 20:50:41

Title: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Omega25BMW on 31 December 2007, 20:50:41

[size=14]I found an article in this Forum about reading the VIN plate but am not really a lot wiser.  I wonder why Vauchall have made it so overly complicated?  I have a 2.5 diesel estate with the BMW engine and manual gearbox. The VIN plate has the usual tosh  Immediately below the full VIN number it says 2255 kg, and below that it says 3855 kgs.   It then has two other figures next to a 1 and a 2 which I figure are the axle weights.   Would the 3855 kgs be the maximum permitted mass when towing a trailer - eg. if I deduct the unladen weight of the car from that do I get the legal payload of the trailer I am allowed to tow?    Help appreciated.  Every where you look Vauxhall deliberately confuse.  The handbook referring to different cars having different towing limits.   Then referring you to a nonsensical VIN plate.   Guidance appreciated if possible.  Thanks.  Nice car shame about the manufacturers handbook and guidance or lack thereof.[/size]

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: TheBoy on 31 December 2007, 20:53:21

subtract the 2 numbers for max trailer weight

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 31 December 2007, 20:54:27

Hi and welcome to the forum :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: alexandjen on 31 December 2007, 20:55:22

Welcome to the forum and Happy New Year
You would be better off posting your question in general help where all the knowledgeable people hang out   :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Omega25BMW on 31 December 2007, 21:03:52

Quote

subtract the 2 numbers for max trailer weight

That sounds right. I just wonder why they cannot simply add the words MTW or ULW or something to their VIN plate.   I guess that is correct but wanted the comfort of your guidance.  Thanks and will use the forum again and see what I learn.  Much appreciated.

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: hotel21 on 31 December 2007, 22:11:29

You will have the max gross weight, mas front axle weight, max rear axle weight and also the max train (vehiclewith trailer) weight.

To get the max load available to be placed on the trailer, weigh the empty car/trailer combo and deduct from max train weight.

Remember, that includes the passengers and bags etc in the car as well as the load on the trailer.  

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: thewelshman on 01 January 2008, 02:18:24

Seasons greetings and welcome to the O O F  :) :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Omega25BMW on 01 January 2008, 05:19:44

Thanks for all the help. I know how to calculate the weights hence the reason I asked the question in the first place - to get the data to enable me to calculate the weights.    It would seem that the 3855 kilos must/has to be the gross train weight.  It is the only logical possibility isn't it?   If it is then I will weight the car and check the proper ULW.  That will give me the margin.    I should then know the maximum allowed weight of the trailer with its load.  That assumes that the 3855 is the GTW which it has to be I think although as Vauxhall have decided that it is best not to state what the weights relate too one can only guess.  

Curiosity though.  If the GTW is 3855.    What is the payload of the car forgetting all about towing trailers?  I am again guessing that maybe the GVW is the 2255 and that figure less the unladen weight will give the payload of the car?   Thoughts appreciated.  Happy New Year and thanks for your help once more.

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Auto Addict on 01 January 2008, 08:04:43

Welcome to the forum :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: MikeDundee on 01 January 2008, 09:07:22

Welcome to the Forum :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Elite Pete on 01 January 2008, 10:35:07

Hi and welcome :)

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: hotel21 on 01 January 2008, 13:30:24

Quote

Curiosity though.  If the GTW is 3855.    What is the payload of the car forgetting all about towing trailers?  I am again guessing that maybe the GVW is the 2255 and that figure less the unladen weight will give the payload of the car?   Thoughts appreciated.  Happy New Year and thanks for your help once more.

You have answered your own question....
1 = front axle weight.
2 = rear axle weight
2255 is MAM of the car & load as transmitted through both axles
3855 is max train weight.

If no trailer coupled, car MAM is 2255.

If taking things to an extreme load in the car, a rough and dirty sum is to deduct 2255 from 3855 =1600.  This would be the max trailer and load that a fully laden car could have hanging off the rear.  However, remember that coupling the trailer to the car will transfer weight to the car as well so really need to weigh the whole contrivance when linked, if you follow...

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: amigov6 on 01 January 2008, 15:19:27

 :)Welcome aboard. Looks like you're getting stuck in already :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: ffcgary1 on 01 January 2008, 19:09:28

Welcome to the  forum :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: A380 Elite on 16 January 2008, 10:20:56

 :) Hiya and welcome.

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Dazzler on 16 January 2008, 11:47:40

Welcome, enjoy the forum.

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Crazydad on 16 January 2008, 18:58:49

Hello and welcome to the best Omega Forum on the Net :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: vauxnut1 on 17 January 2008, 18:56:15

welcome to the forum matey  :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 January 2008, 11:27:12

Hello & Welcome :y

Title: Re: Reading the Vauxhall VIN Plate
Post by: zirk on 23 January 2008, 02:23:28

Hi and welcome to the site.