Registering a Van as a Motorhome - the Benefits?

[bigtwin]

I’ve seen various posts on fora and social media platforms regarding the challenges folks have had in trying to register self-builds as motorhomes.

Given the hurdles that need to be jumped over, what are the benefits of re-registering as a MH?

Is it:

• cheaper insurance
• in order to be allowed on campsites
• ???
  

Why do folks bother?

Ian

 

[jezport]

Can increase speed limits.

 

[bigtwin]

Can increase speed limits.

Good point!

Ian

 

[Otter Spotter]

Not had any camp site ask me to prove registration type. Mine, re reg. Van with Windows

 

[bigtwin]

Not had any camp site ask me to prove registration type. Mine, re reg. Van with Windows

I guess that begs the same question then; what’s the benefit of being a ‘van with windows’?

Does that also get round the speed limitations?

Ian

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[Cheshirecat57]

I guess that begs the same question then; what’s the benefit of being a ‘van with windows’?

Does that also get round the speed limitations?

Ian

No
A van has to observe 60 ( for example) on a dual carriageway , even with windows, and 50 on a single carriageway
A motor caravan has the same limits as a car ( providing less than 3050 kg unladen)

 

[Otter Spotter]

I guess that begs the same question then; what’s the benefit of being a ‘van with windows’?

Does that also get round the speed limitations?

Ian

No it’s still classed as a goods vehicle for speed limits

 

[bigtwin]

No it’s still classed as a goods vehicle for speed limits

So what’s the benefit/merit in being classified as a van with windows as opposed to being classified as a van?

Ian

 

[Cheshirecat57]

None as far as I can see

So what’s the benefit/merit in being classified as a van with windows as opposed to being classified as a van?

Ian

 

[68c]

Cheaper Insurance.

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[bigtwin]

Cheaper Insurance.

Does that apply to both the “van with windows” and motorhomes or just the latter?

Ian

 

[tonka]

I think main issue might be with insurance BUT not 100% certain.
A van with windows will be valued as that, just a van.. Maybe not accounting for all the internal fittings. So have a right off and they pay for an empty commercial van. Potential loss for the fridge, oven, furniture etc etc.

May need someone who has taken "van with windows" insurance to check the small print and advise.

 

[gus-lopez]

No
A van has to observe 60 ( for example) on a dual carriageway , even with windows, and 50 on a single carriageway
A motor caravan has the same limits as a car ( providing less than 3050 kg unladen)

No it’s still classed as a goods vehicle for speed limits

It is open to interpretation.
https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/motorcaravan-and-campervan-speed-limits/

I think main issue might be with insurance BUT not 100% certain.
A van with windows will be valued as that, just a van.. Maybe not accounting for all the internal fittings. So have a right off and they pay for an empty commercial van. Potential loss for the fridge, oven, furniture etc etc.

May need someone who has taken "van with windows" insurance to check the small print and advise.

I think they have on a few occasions .Insurance deem it to be MH's or campers-

 

[Dilbert]

Glad someone’s brought this up, my recently bought Mazda bongo is still classed as a MPV 8 seater even though converted .insurance company OK with it as a camper after a couple of photos. Makes No difference to speed limits,LEZ or road tax etc

 

[Otter Spotter]

So what’s the benefit/merit in being classified as a van with windows as opposed to being classified as a van?

Ian

non Except the Police will have an idea that it’s a campervan not a white delivery van.

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[AXO66]

If it’s registered as a van with windows
do all signs re parking charges , restrictions, specifically referring to motorcaravans ( a legal registration i think ) not apply ?

 

[Otter Spotter]

If it’s registered as a van with windows
do all signs re parking charges , restrictions, specifically referring to motorcaravans ( a legal registration i think ) not apply ?

Great question but cannot answer it

 

[Dilbert]

Great question but cannot answer it

If it’s registered as a van with windows
do all signs re parking charges , restrictions, specifically referring to motorcaravans ( a legal registration i think ) not apply ?

The signs at hayling island says motor homes or vehicles converted or adapted for sleeping so you could be trouble with an estate car with the back seats folded down. I dunno

 

[Northernraider]

I thought if a van with side windows it was same speedlimit as cars etc ..

I know a full panel van transit is a different speed limit from a crewcab one with the two side windows.

Many of the converters doing vws etc now do not qualify for mototcaravan status and are vans with windows . Pop up roofs no longer accepted by DVLA.

That said my vario doesnt do much more than 65mph anyway ...so won't really matter .

But as it will never be registered as a motorhome i will be arguing the point where theres no motorhome signs

 

[TheBig1]

believe it or otherwise, a van conversion without the V5 changed to motorcaravan is worth less. Despite paying £10k on a conversion to a new van, it is harder to sell without V5 change and the insurer will only pay market value or less on a total loss

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[AXO66]

The signs at hayling island says motor homes or vehicles converted or adapted for sleeping so you could be trouble with an estate car with the back seats folded down. I dunno

Its confusing

Over here in pembs in the busy resorts there are specific signs saying no parking of motorcaravans between defined hours.
so if your van is legally not a motorcaravan presumably the signs don’t apply.

in the car parks they have a picture of a C class motorhome with relevant charges alongside.
not a pvc based van , perhaps protecting local trader vans , so again possible grounds to appeal a ticket.

the no camping , cooking overnight sleeping can apply of course to any vehicle.

one has to read the signs very carefully.

 

[poppycamper]

Deleted sorry.

Can increase speed limits.

DVLA Has started that there is no difference between Motor Caravan and Van With Windows so regarding speed limits unless you above 3050kg unladen there is no difference. I would, therefore expect insurance companies to observe this ruling

 

[Northernraider]

I think main issue might be with insurance BUT not 100% certain.
A van with windows will be valued as that, just a van.. Maybe not accounting for all the internal fittings. So have a right off and they pay for an empty commercial van. Potential loss for the fridge, oven, furniture etc etc.

May need someone who has taken "van with windows" insurance to check the small print and advise.

I currently have conversion insurance on my vario ....i update the insurer as it progresses and they alter the value. It will never be registered as a motorhome they don't require that ... only photos etc and list of spec to insure it as a motorhome. It doesn't have to meet any specific criteria.

Both Adrian flux and brentacre said the same ...im with brentacre.

 

[cmcardle75]

I’ve seen various posts on fora and social media platforms regarding the challenges folks have had in trying to register self-builds as motorhomes.

Given the hurdles that need to be jumped over, what are the benefits of re-registering as a MH?

Is it:

• cheaper insurance
• in order to be allowed on campsites
• ???

Why do folks bother?

Ian

The main difference would be that in the unlikely event of a automated speed ticket coming to you for travelling between the limits permitted by a van and that of a motorhome that you would have to send it back and possibly dispute the ticket. The registration type itself makes no difference to the speed permitted. However, the DVLA, in their (completely lacking) wisdom decided that what it looks like in traffic is more important to the police than being able to determine what the appropriate speed limit they need to apply is, something that would actually be useful to them in terms of wasting their time and money sending tickets to vehicles that are exempt from the lower limit.

 

[jezport]

The main difference would be that in the unlikely event of a automated speed ticket coming to you for travelling between the limits permitted by a van and that of a motorhome that you would have to send it back and possibly dispute the ticket. The registration type itself makes no difference to the speed permitted. However, the DVLA, in their (completely lacking) wisdom decided that what it looks like in traffic is more important to the police than being able to determine what the appropriate speed limit they need to apply is, something that would actually be useful to them in terms of wasting their time and money sending tickets to vehicles that are exempt from the lower limit.

Would be interesting to hear if anyone has had to appeal and what the result was.

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[VXman]

No
A van has to observe 60 ( for example) on a dual carriageway , even with windows, and 50 on a single carriageway
A motor caravan has the same limits as a car ( providing less than 3050 kg unladen)

Does that mean motorhomes over 3500KG are speed limited or is the 'unladen' bit still valid?

 

[gpat]

Significant reduction in insurance and this was a benefit of doing it 10 years ago. Those days it was easier with the DVLA. Had a professional conversion of T5 from van to motorcaravan. Insurance went from £700 to £200

 

[Top Hat]

believe it or otherwise, a van conversion without the V5 changed to motorcaravan is worth less. Despite paying £10k on a conversion to a new van, it is harder to sell without V5 change and the insurer will only pay market value or less on a total loss

When selling privately how would you describe a van registered as a van with windows, advertising it as a motorhome/ Campervan wouldn't be appropriate would it?