upgrade from 3850kgs to 4000kgs (1 Viewer)

[nomadic]

Hi motorhomers, we have a request for information/advice, and our situation is as follows:

Our Bessy E760 has a MGW of 3850kgs. Currently we are scaling the weigh bridge at 3820kgs. (both axles are within their respective limits) and we would like to add a couple of folding bikes to our payload. We can afford to move up to 4000kgs. and still retain enough train capacity to tow our Suzuki, on the "A" frame. (yes, thats another story). As fulltimers there is little we can discard to allow for new bikes, be they basic or electric, when the final decision is made! But an extra 150kgs will make life easier all round.

Have any of you driven down this avenue of upgrading your MGW, if so, are there any pitfalls to lookout for, or is it just plain sailing, by a specialist contractor, who includes the replating and new log book via what was DVLA.

So far, I have sourced only one contractor that offers this kind of service.

Any coments, advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks


Nomadic

 

[johnsandywhite]

Have any of you driven down this avenue of upgrading your MGW, if so, are there any pitfalls to lookout for, or is it just plain sailing, by a specialist contractor, who includes the replating and new log book via what was DVLA.

No. Sorry. We just buy a bigger RV.

 

[Don Madge]

Hi motorhomers, we have a request for information/advice, and our situation is as follows:

Our Bessy E760 has a MGW of 3850kgs. Currently we are scaling the weigh bridge at 3820kgs. (both axles are within their respective limits) and we would like to add a couple of folding bikes to our payload. We can afford to move up to 4000kgs. and still retain enough train capacity to tow our Suzuki, on the "A" frame. (yes, thats another story). As fulltimers there is little we can discard to allow for new bikes, be they basic or electric, when the final decision is made! But an extra 150kgs will make life easier all round.

Have any of you driven down this avenue of upgrading your MGW, if so, are there any pitfalls to lookout for, or is it just plain sailing, by a specialist contractor, who includes the replating and new log book via what was DVLA.

So far, I have sourced only one contractor that offers this kind of service.

Any coments, advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks


Nomadic

Hi ,

I uprated my Timberland from 3300kg to 3500kg, we did not alter the axle weights just the MAM. It was done for peace of mind.

It was a paper exercise as there were no weights shown on the V5C and the van needed no modifications. It was carried out by SvTech - Special Vehicle Technology

I contacted them and submitted the van details and they supplied a new vin plate and most important a certificate. The cost was just over £200. I found them very helpful, extremely efficient and very easy to deal with.

I have no connections with this company except as a very satisfied customer.

I hope this helps.

Don

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[TJ-RV]

I uprated my Timberland from 3300kg to 3500kg, we did not alter the axle weights just the MAM. It was done for peace of mind. It was a paper exercise as there were no weights shown on the V5C and the van needed no modifications.

I'm curious Don; Since nothing was physically done to the van to increase its ratings, what additional peace of mind did the piece of paper provide? Does this allow you to carry 200kg extra stuff on board?

 

[TJ-RV]

Nomadic,

What will this contractor do to increase the ratings? Is this just another paper excercise, or will they physically change components? If the latter, what will they change?

 

[nomadic]

Hi ,

I uprated my Timberland from 3300kg to 3500kg, we did not alter the axle weights just the MAM. It was done for peace of mind.

It was a paper exercise as there were no weights shown on the V5C and the van needed no modifications. It was carried out by SvTech - Special Vehicle Technology

I contacted them and submitted the van details and they supplied a new vin plate and most important a certificate. The cost was just over £200. I found them very helpful, extremely efficient and very easy to deal with.

I have no connections with this company except as a very satisfied customer.

I hope this helps.

Don

Thank you Don,

It is S V Tech that I have contacted, and await a reply.

Your responce is encouraging, thanks again.

Nomadic:thumb:

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[nomadic]

uprating MAM

Nomadic,

What will this contractor do to increase the ratings? Is this just another paper excercise, or will they physically change components? If the latter, what will they change?

Hi Tom,

According to the webb site, it can be achieved by the addition of air suspension, or additional or replacement suspension units, in some cases the axle may need changing, it would appear that each unit is evaluated, that is why I was surprised at Don's charge, but if the base spec had been reduced at production, then I assume there was spare muscle to allocate another 200kgs, and provide the cartification plate as well. I doubt I shall be so lucky, but we will see, I'ii keep you informed if you wish

Webb site is: SvTech - Special Vehicle Technology

Its worth a look.

Nomadic

 

[TJ-RV]

Thanks for that info. I'd have expected some possible upgrade to brakes also. OTOH the factory brakes may have sufficient spare capacity.

 

[Don Madge]

I'm curious Don; Since nothing was physically done to the van to increase its ratings, what additional peace of mind did the piece of paper provide? Does this allow you to carry 200kg extra stuff on board?

Hi Tom,

Before I started the process I spoke to a motorhoming friend who is a VOSA tech officer as I did not want to fall foul of a VOSA roadside check.

It seems for about £30 tag plates will make you a vin plate with whatever weights you want on it.

I spoke to my insurers and they were happy with the upgrade as long as it was certified by an authorised company. I now have two vin plates, the original Fiat one and the one supplied by SV Tech.

We spend up to 180 days away in the winter and we were very close to the MAM of 3300kg but under on the axle weights so it made sense to uprate and give ourselves another 200kg payload.

This is a copy of the vin plate supplied by SV Tech.

Don

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[pappajohn]

i really cant understand why people overlook the obvious oh:

you are, in effect, towing a trailer....but the bikes in the trailer/toad.

providing you dont go over your train weight or the laden weight of the toad theres nowt to stop you loading the toad with whatever you want. :thumb: i do!!!!!

 

[TJ-RV]

Thanks for the info and photo of the plate Don. Very interesting. Here, on the other side of the Atlantic, we're inclined to avoid or disbelieve any uprating not done by the manufacturer. So this was a bit of an education for me.

Still letting it all sink in ....

 

[nomadic]

upgrading 3850 to 4000kgs

i really cant understand why people overlook the obvious oh:

you are, in effect, towing a trailer....but the bikes in the trailer/toad.

providing you dont go over your train weight or the laden weight of the toad theres nowt to stop you loading the toad with whatever you want. :thumb: i do!!!!!

True, we could, but we do not always take the car.

Nomadic

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[Geo]

Thanks for the info and photo of the plate Don. Very interesting. Here, on the other side of the Atlantic, we're inclined to avoid or disbelieve any uprating not done by the manufacturer. So this was a bit of an education for me.

Still letting it all sink in ....

Hi Tom people do seem to make it sound like just a paper exercise, belive me its not always plain sailing, pick the wrong vehicle and the wrong desired upgrade and SV Tec will give you a flat NO, and if as in the case of recovery lorry's if you want to down rate to 7.5 Ton from say a 12 ton vehicle and it wont give a reasonable pay load they wont down rate either,they are a well respected company with a good reputation with DVLA
They do sell kits for all manor of vehicles to assist in your quest
Geo

 

[pappajohn]

True, we could, but we do not always take the car.

Nomadic

fair comment, never thought of that oh:but........i also have a small trailer so i could use that if i dont tow the car. :thumb:

 

[TJ-RV]

Thanks Geo.

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