How do you de rate a van (1 Viewer)

[PeterCarole29]

Hi,
Is it realistic to change a ford iveco van 2.5 t/d rated at 5 ton to under 3.5 so my 27 yr old son can drive it.It is specified in the log book as a camper and was i beleive a minibus before

 

[vwalan]

try a vist to your local dvla office explain what you want to do . may involve going to a ministry station for inspection should need form vtg10 but sometimes its not needed tell them its a voluntary down plating .there will possibly be a fee involved . its all a bit up inarms at moment with offices closing . might be easier to visit your local ministry mot station and have a word with them .

 

[Phill D]

you need to know your mass in running order ( van less removable items + driver + % age of fuel etc ) thats your starting point, if thats around 3 Tonne your in with a shout if its a self build with a 5 Tonne MGW then it may well be too close to 3.5 Tonne to be usefull down plated to 3.5 T.

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[vwalan]

yes good thinking there .i forgot best get a weighbridge ticket for the van . nice one phill d. i must be getting a dodery old fool .hee hee .,

 

[pappajohn]

Phil is spot on.

remove everything that isnt nailed down.

fill with fuel...you dont have to, but if you dont you have to work the weight iof fuel nto the calculation.

then go to a public weighbridge and get both front and rearr axles weighed along with the whole van.

once you have the weights its easy to work out if you can drop to 3500kg.
if t h e weight is close to 3500kg with just you and fuel, forget it...you still need an allowance for a passenger or two, food, clothing, camping stuff, water, gas etc etc.
ideally 500kg payload so the van needs to be around 3000kg on the weighbridge.

if its feasible then do as Alan said and go to the local DVLA offices, they will advise what to do next....but be quick as ALL local offices close for good later this year meaning you will need to deal with Swandea...god help you. !

dont forget, by downrating to 3500kg your road tax will increase to well over £200 pa and must be purchased at the time of down rating.

 

[Techno]

More practical solution is to put him through the test. Think of the long term he has a lot of future.

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[pappajohn]

excellent idea from Andy.

C1 test is around £1000 with a good driving school but well worth the outlay.

worth a phone call to fun member motor-roaming who runs an HGV driving school (data academy) in Leicester....one of the better schools used by many funsters wanting to upgrade their licence.

DATA ACADEMY DRIVING SCHOOL

 

[Techno]

I was under the impression that a new easier test for private vehicles over 3500 was either available or soon to be.

Realistically though. Downplating a 5 ton vehicle may render it completely unuseable and the cost would be wasted

 

[vwalan]

i would say go for the full c license . at 27 yr old there could be another string in the working bow and arrow so to speak. similar costs i would think .

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[Techno]

http://www.trucktraininguk.com/hgv-...ce-requirements-relaxed-for-motorhome-drivers

 

[Landy lover]

http://www.trucktraininguk.com/hgv-...ce-requirements-relaxed-for-motorhome-drivers

NO

try this one http://www.dataacademy.co.uk/ and mention you are a Fun member - guaranteed the best training about

 

[Techno]

Sorry I only posted the link as it covers the easier test which is not mentioned in your recommendation

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[TheDogMan]

I cannot see how you could do that as you would have too little left to put in it, my 5.2t iveco Hobby has an unladen weight of 4.2t, I guess you could strip the bus down to get to nearer 3t but you will not be able to put much in it.
Dave

 

[PeterCarole29]

Hi ,Thanks for all your replies.My gut feeling is the van will be to heavy even stripped out

 

[vwalan]

best get it weighed . as an empty van they are way under 3ton .very close to 2.2 in some cases . the chassis cabs can be down to 2ton sometimes . thats why they make nice artic units . the op did say originally a mini bus so i take it that it hasnt got alot of conversion done to it .
the iveco 40c130 gets down to 2ton including the fifth wheel compressor and air tanks .
cant see a van weighing much more .

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