Big Increase in Self-Builds

DBK

DBK

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An interesting article in the Times this morning about the large increase in numbers of people converting ex-vans into MHs, either to live in or as a second home or tourer.

www.thetimes.co.uk

Vans are just the job as a second home

It’s the workhorse of the British economy; powering the country’s tradesmen, couriers, emergency services and utility companies for generations.Now the humble van is being given a new lease of life – and generating an unlikely social media following – as a second home.Figures show a sharp rise in th
www.thetimes.co.uk www.thetimes.co.uk

It is behind a pay wall but the figures are remarkable. In the last 12 months 21,215 vans have been registered as a change of use to MH with the DVLA, an increase of two thirds over the figure two years ago. I guess there will also be additional vehicles converted which have not been re-registered.
 
I wonder if that is the reason why the DVLA have clamped down on re-classification of vans into motor campervans. There have been quite a few refusals recently and the DVLA have re-classified them as 'vans with windows'. According to the DVLA, if a policeman or member of the public sees the vehicle would they describe it as a van with windows or a campervan or motorhome.
I have seen photos of vans that have been refused and some that have been accepted and there doesn't seem to be any consistency in their decisions.
 
Remember some of those 21000 reclassifications will be from the proper converters who will have to had changed the classification as well. But defiantly a huge increase in self builds from what I'm seeing on various forums/sites I follow. I wonder how many are being reclassified as vans with windows, guessing thats a large amount also and then theres plenty that don't bother changing from the original van.
 
I could be wrong here but the re-classification of a van is not compulsory, but if you wish to have your van re-classified as a Motorhome it must meet the criteria eg 6ft bed kitchen etc.

I suspect the rise in builds is in part to the number of converters, we have seen a rise in the number of of these at various shows these guys will convert a van for you and then there are the kits available on the market. Plus you have the TV shows that have the odd converted vehicles.

i suppose it is a good thing in that it gets vehicles re-purposed and making MoHo accessible for more people.
 
Borderland said:
I wonder if that is the reason why the DVLA have clamped down on re-classification of vans into motor campervans. There have been quite a few refusals recently and the DVLA have re-classified them as 'vans with windows'. According to the DVLA, if a policeman or member of the public sees the vehicle would they describe it as a van with windows or a campervan or motorhome.
I have seen photos of vans that have been refused and some that have been accepted and there doesn't seem to be any consistency in their decisions.
Click to expand...
The DVLA are quite specific if it is missing any of these it’s a van with windows.

Motor caravan minimum features
In order for a converted vehicle to qualify as a motor caravan it must have certain minimum features:

  • a door that provides access to the living accommodation
  • a bed, which has a minimum length of 1800mmor 6 feet - this can be converted from seats used for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle
  • a water storage tank or container on, or in, the vehicle
  • a seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle - the table may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It is not good enough to have a loose table
  • a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe
  • a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle, powered by gas or electricity
  • at least one window on the side of the accommodation

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Coolcats said:
I could be wrong here but the re-classification of a van is not compulsory, but if you wish to have your van re-classified as a Motorhome it must meet the criteria eg 6ft bed kitchen etc.
Click to expand...
This is what is causing a lot of confusion and controversy. The DVLA on their conversion quide state.

It’s a legal requirement that all UK registered vehicles are classified correctly on the V5C registration certificate (log book). All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’.
If you’ve converted a van into a motor caravan, you must return the V5C to DVLA for amendment.

Self convertors have followed the DVLA quidelines on minimum requirements required for re-classification but are still getting refused. So the DVLA say it is a legal requirement to have the van re-classified but then they are refusing the application.
 
Coolcats said:
i suppose it is a good thing in that it gets vehicles re-purposed and making MoHo accessible for more people.
Click to expand...

This is all well and good but the National infrastructure for their usage isn’t growing accordingly, they know the numbers but no reaction in the growth of Campsites ( Nr Amenities) Camper Stops etc.

The NC500 is a prime example of this.
 
When we bought our first PVC conversion from Devon Conversions and supplied the paperwork they provided the DVLA refused the application. We went back to Devon and they said that they hadn't had a problem before when submitting with their paperwork so Mark resubmitted the application with a covering letter which went through all the requirements point by point along with a lot of photos and the DVLA accepted the application.
 
shawn&emma said:
Remember some of those 21000 reclassifications will be from the proper converters who will have to had changed the classification as well. But defiantly a huge increase in self builds from what I'm seeing on various forums/sites I follow. I wonder how many are being reclassified as vans with windows, guessing thats a large amount also and then theres plenty that don't bother changing from the original van.
Click to expand...
That's a good point, my thread title is a bit misleading as the numbers include self-builds and those done by the established converters.
 
Borderland said:
This is what is causing a lot of confusion and controversy. The DVLA on their conversion quide state.

It’s a legal requirement that all UK registered vehicles are classified correctly on the V5C registration certificate (log book). All campervans, motor caravans and motorhomes fall into the DVLA category of ‘motor caravan’.
If you’ve converted a van into a motor caravan, you must return the V5C to DVLA for amendment.

Self convertors have followed the DVLA quidelines on minimum requirements required for re-classification but are still getting refused. So the DVLA say it is a legal requirement to have the van re-classified but then they are refusing the application.
Click to expand...
To be honest I registered a vehicle as a conversion about six years ago, the dvla is a pedantic machine feed it the exact information it needs including photo’s and measurements and ping the machine accepts the application no mess no fuss. However if you do provide said machine with the evidence it requires it will just spit the application out.

I suspect some home converters may not have met all the criteria whilst not wrong I have seen some converted vans with a camping style gas cooker, Attached to a gas bottle, you can just pick both of these up and place them outside. I suspect it wouldn’t get passed the DVLA as it is not fixed.

anyway if you think the DVLA has got it wrong appeals can be made edited to say just seen mark and Mindy did this ?

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Coolcats said:
To be honest I registered a vehicle as a conversion about six years ago, the dvla is a pedantic machine feed it the exact information it needs including photo’s and measurements and ping the machine accepts the application no mess no fuss. However if you do provide said machine with the evidence it requires it will just spit the application out.

I suspect some home converters may not have met all the criteria whilst not wrong I have seen some converted vans with a camping style gas cooker, Attached to a gas bottle, you can just pick both of these up and place them outside. I suspect it wouldn’t get passed the DVLA as it is not fixed.

anyway if you think the DVLA has got it wrong appeals can be made edited to say just seen mark and Mindy did this ?
Click to expand...
This is the problem. People are carrying out conversions to a very high standard and complying with and in some cases, exceeding the minimum requirements stated and submitting photos, receipts for items added etc and the DVLA are still refusing to reclassify the vehicle as a motor caravan.
 
Borderland said:
This is the problem. People are carrying out conversions to a very high standard and complying with and in some cases, exceeding the minimum requirements stated and submitting photos, receipts for items added etc and the DVLA are still refusing to reclassify the vehicle as a motor caravan.
Click to expand...

Im seeing on various self build forums people getting refused even when they have fulfilled all the required conversion points. It seems not putting any styling/graphics on the sides is coming up a lot. But it also seems that some go straight through with no graphics and others get refused. Think its all about who you get that looks at the request and how they interpret the regulations.
 
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Some insurance company's also check on the conversion.
When I insured my private but professionally converted van with Comford insurance they requested photographic evidence of the conversion, this may have been more to do with the value placed on the van rather than compliance.
 
Top Hat said:
Some insurance company's also check on the conversion.
When I insured my private but professionally converted van with Comford insurance they requested photographic evidence of the conversion, this may have been more to do with the value placed on the van rather than compliance.
Click to expand...
My insurance company at the time requested the pictures and annually as well which was a pain

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There was a slot about people converting and full timing in vans on the one show last week to save on rent. Interestingly nobody mentioned where they empty the waste or fill up from and no one was staying on sites.
 
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Bureaucratic nonsense...

Bunch of suits needing something to justify their existence (and index linked pensions) sitting around making up unnecessary, petty rules and pretending they are for the benefit of society.

I hate suits and clipboards.

I do my best not to let them get my knickers in a twist.

My last self build would not really be allowed to be called a motor caravan, but that's what it says in the log book, so a motor caravan is what it is...

...actually it is a shed now.


JJ :cool:
 
oozzie said:
There was a slot about people converting and full timing in vans on the one show last week to save on rent. Interestingly nobody mentioned where they empty the waste or fill up from and no one was staying on sites.
Click to expand...

Well, the couple pictured in the article are Indieprojects on Youtube and explain all about in one or more of their videos. They have a composting toilet and even travel with a cat, who's toilet is right next to theirs!!
 
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oozzie said:
Interestingly nobody mentioned where they empty the waste or fill up from and no one was staying on sites.
Click to expand...

Oh please NO...

There are many, many, many, many places to do these two things.

I know.

I lived on the side of the road in my (super deluxe, black beauty) self build for years and years and years with no problems at all.


JJ :cool:
 
Onemanandhisdog said:
Well, the couple pictured in the article are Indieprojects on Youtube and explain all about in one or more of their videos. They have a composting toilet and even travel with a cat, who's toilet is right next to theirs!!
Click to expand...
The Cat would be offended if the litter tray was anywhere else ?

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It goes through this cut out under a seat to use its litter tray ? ?

1571648887779.png
 
Made me think, what happens if you don’t meet the criteria?
Does the vehicle remain a van.? And if so, is there any problems?

What are the advantages of having such a van ( that does meet the criteria) classified as as a motorhome, instead of leaving as a van?
 
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AXO66 said:
Made me think, what happens if you don’t meet the criteria?
Does the vehicle remain a van.? And if so, is there any problems?

What are the advantages of having such a van ( that does meet the criteria) classified as as a motorhome, instead of leaving as a van?
Click to expand...

The main thing is most likely to be insurance. if its listed as a van and the insurance thinks its a van and somethings happens to said vehicle you may not be covered at all or they may only pay what the van would be worth excluding all the self build things. Some companies will allow it insured as a van but then add the extra value of extras etc.
 
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It’s being discussed on R2 Jeremy Vine Show right now?

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Damn it!! There's possibly two things on that DVLA list I'm going to fall foul of then.
Or one if they don't want to be too pedantic.. haha yea.. ?
 
I wanted it fully stealth to look like a normal 7.5 ton box van but as soon as I have to cut a window and a door in it I'm going to lose that look. ?
The entrance door I was thinking of putting at the back of the cab. ?

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