Up Rated

[bobnick]

I have msged a chap who is selling a 2 year old 4k mls MH that has plenty of options. It is a make we are looking for and has the configuration we are looking for, however, the MH has been Up Rated to 3650ks to suit his needs. (my licence is 3500kgs).
I have been told it's a paper exercise to have the MH down graded back to 3500kgs (blue section in the V5).
It all sounds too simple and easy..........Q. is it?????

It's a lovely MH.

 

[Grianan]

Is it an option to buy it subject to seller successfully down rating it? Alternatively a call to SV Tech may give you the specialist info you need. One question may be - once downrated do you have enough working payload to stay legal.

 

[bobnick]

A new version of this MH is rated approx 3000 kgs with approx 500 kgs payload. which would be plenty for us. (and nobody ever breaks the law with 20/30/40 kgs over do they???)
If i take it further i had considered asking him to down rate it. Maybe his captive buyers want 3650?? who knows.

 

[Grianan]

It seems a small amount to have had it uprated by. All the options eat into the 500kg payload though it is a reasonable starting point.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes, just a paper exercise to downrate but will you have enough payload?
Although you say 500 kg is enough for you (that's not much) what extras have been fitted? Did it come out of the factory with the normal 5% over the stated weight? Will you be fitting any extras?

I think you need a weighbridge ticket on it showing both axle weights, you don't want a shock after you bought it. Also you need to know what exactly is on board when weighed.

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[tonka]

It seems a small amount to have had it uprated by. All the options eat into the 500kg payload though it is a reasonable starting point.

I understand that amount is pre-set by Fiat on the light chassis and why you see it offered so much.
3500kg is a downrate for the license requirement, 3650 is able to be done at a no cost option based on the current chassis.
Seems that 3850 is a max on that chassis but needs some modifications, was a very common thread when i used to be on the Autotrail sites.

 

[Lenny HB]

It seems a small amount to have had it uprated by. All the options eat into the 500kg payload though it is a reasonable starting point.

Probably an option when bought new, highest it could go without mods. Seen that on a few vans.

 

[Minxy]

Ask the seller to get up to date weighbridge info for both axles and tell you what was in it at the time so you can check what actual payload is left, that's the only way to know if it will be usable at the lower weight. If it is then downplating is just down to you completing the relevant section on the V5C and sending it to the DVLA.

 

[bobnick]

Thanks all. It's an education this MHoming eh.
We are going to look at new ones from this afternoon so we can get a good comparison. This 2 year old one sounds like a really good start if we go used. And thanks to you guy's i know what i should be asking/telling and doing re weights.

 

[peterc10]

As stated in another thread you started, get it weighed empty before you buy. That will be the only way to find out what payload you actually have to play with. The only reason anybody uprates the MGW is because there is not enough payload at 3500kg

and nobody ever breaks the law with 20/30/40 kgs over do they???

Yes they do. The amount over only governs the penalty. Even stricter in many other parts of Europe.

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[LilacSea]

There is a smallish garage at the back end of our MH everything we put in it weighs one third heavier on the rear axle than its actual weight, (while at the weigh bridge I went to sit at the back end of the bed to see how much extra weight was showing on the rear axle). This gives you an idea of how much payload you can actually put in the back area.

 

[The Coops]

see pm

 

[bobnick]

AC/DC i have replied.

 

[bobnick]

I have learnt the payload issue is a very valid and important point. And of course i want to stay within the law.
We are looking at the MH today that has been up rated to 3650. The guy has had the suspension improved with air and stuff.
If i were to buy and have the rating reduced back to 3500 will i have to have the suspension converted back to original???
Application forms to have C1 reinstated on my licence are with me and medical in the process of being arranged.

 

[peterc10]

If i were to buy and have the rating reduced back to 3500 will i have to have the suspension converted back to original???

No.

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[Minxy]

I have learnt the payload issue is a very valid and important point. And of course i want to stay within the law.
We are looking at the MH today that has been up rated to 3650. The guy has had the suspension improved with air and stuff.
If i were to buy and have the rating reduced back to 3500 will i have to have the suspension converted back to original???
Application forms to have C1 reinstated on my licence are with me and medical in the process of being arranged.

No, won't make any difference as it adds very little weight anyway so you might as well enjoy it.

 

[suavecarve]

I have learnt the payload issue is a very valid and important point. And of course i want to stay within the law.
We are looking at the MH today that has been up rated to 3650. The guy has had the suspension improved with air and stuff.
If i were to buy and have the rating reduced back to 3500 will i have to have the suspension converted back to original???
Application forms to have C1 reinstated on my licence are with me and medical in the process of being arranged.

I appreciate the want of getting a vehicle but if your licence can be renewed with C1, the choices become more.
I would be tempted to get the C1 before making any decisions, that is assuming time to get a motorhome is not a factor.

 

[bobnick]

It will take time to get the C1, if indeed they say ok you can have it. DVLA are still sleeping.
My thinking is get one now within my present licence allowance to get used to how it's done in the UK (85/90% of our RVing has been done in other country's) then if the C1 come through we could upgrade, say spring of next year.