Uprating a previously downrated vehicle.

[Rusticrogers]

Afternoon All.
I have searched but couldn't really get a clear answer, so I well ask here if I may? I have a vehicle that was previously downrated by SvTech in April 2017. I imagine it was done for licence reasons at the time but I'd be happier with the 3850kg because it would allow me to be a little more flexible in what is stored on the van and what needs to come off. The vehicle is a Pilote Galaxy 270 based on a Fiat Ducato with a 2.8jtd engine. It has the AL-KO chassis too in a 2000 vintage.

Is it simple a paper exercise, or is there more involved?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Phill D]

hi welcome. i think the difficulty you may have going back up is that DVLA will want proof that the vehicle ( Tyres / suspension etc ) is compatible with the re upgrade.

so they may want some form of certification to show that.

there is another person that does this cheaper than svtech i believe.

 

[icantremember]

and

It probably will just be a paper exercise but for the definitive answer best give SvTech a call.

 

[Rusticrogers]

Thanks both. I just called and he suggested around £120 for a simple reversal.

 

[Phill D]

it may be £120 well spent as if you do it i would lay good money that it will be back a number of time to you from DVLA for some trivial point.
it would most likely be the quick and trouble free option.

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[Rusticrogers]

it may be £120 well spent as if you do it i would lay good money that it will be back a number of time to you from DVLA for some trivial point.
it would most likely be the quick and trouble free option.

Ha Ha. Yes, I'm great believer in letting others do what they are good at.
I just feel 2 adults and 2 kids and 2 cockapoos might not leave a great deal of Payload left for all the crap that gets shoved under the floor after a couple of weekends away.

 

[Phill D]

Ha Ha. Yes, I'm great believer in letting others do what they are good at.
I just feel 2 adults and 2 kids and 2 cockapoos might not leave a great deal of Payload left for all the crap that gets shoved under the floor after a couple of weekends away.

thats for certain. i would guess you have a C1 on your license

 

[gus-lopez]

 

[Manic]

Thanks both. I just called and he suggested around £120 for a simple reversal.

Definitely worth it, cheaper road tax, you would get your money back in a couple of years

 

[Rusticrogers]

thats for certain. i would guess you have a C1 on your license

Yes, I was a 1989 5 day crash course merchant. Lessons start on Monday, test on the Friday.

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[Rusticrogers]

Definitely worth it, cheaper road tax, you would get your money back in a couple of years

For the simple things like leaving water in the tank or crates of water or lager in the lockers just makes so much sense to not need to worry about it.

 

[Rusticrogers]

Thank you

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

I would suggest that you check what each axle will in theory be allowed to carry and then check that you can actually achieve that. We had a Dethleffs rated at 3850, 2000 on rear axle, theoretical 1850 on the front but there was no way that we could load the front axle to that as there was no where to put stuff - ie no lockers internally or externally in a forward postion.

 

[Rusticrogers]

I would suggest that you check what each axle will in theory be allowed to carry and then check that you can actually achieve that. We had a Dethleffs rated at 3850, 2000 on rear axle, theoretical 1850 on the front but there was no way that we could load the front axle to that as there was no where to put stuff - ie no lockers internally or externally in a forward postion.

Well now I'm lost because the certificate I have states maximum weights of 2120kg on Axle 2 and 1850 on axle 1 after downrating the vehicle?
I'm sure there's a simple explanation and i'm just a numpty?

 

[royandsharont]

That will be correct but overall you cannot exceed 3500. So if you have max 2000 on rear axle (2) then you are permitted up to 1500 on front axle

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[TheTwoOfUs]

They are correct but they can't be used at max loads together. For instance if you go to 3850 and you put 1850 on the front axle then you can only put 2000 on the rear. If you put the 2120 max allowed on the rear then you can only put 1730 on the front. I have just had mine downrated to 3500 but it retains max loads of 2000 and 1850 on the respective axles. Obviously they can't be at their max at the same time. You can have any combination of their loads up to their max but not go over the total limit. I used Van Weight Engineering to do the paperwork exercise.
I hope I've not confused you even more with my explanation.

 

[royandsharont]

That will be correct because it would still need to be a max of 3500 overall so if you had 2000 on the rear axle (2) then you could have a max of 1500 on the front axle (1). I cannot recall specifically but I always struggled to get the recommended 40/60% split on my old 4005 kg Bessacarr as I couldn’t get more over the front axle. I recall it was around 1600 at best but almost always set off for long trips with 4000 kg

 

[Rusticrogers]

They are correct but they can't be used at max loads together. For instance if you go to 3850 and you put 1850 on the front axle then you can only put 2000 on the rear. If you put the 2120 max allowed on the rear then you can only put 1730 on the front. I have just had mine downrated to 3500 but it retains max loads of 2000 and 1850 on the respective axles. Obviously they can't be at their max at the same time. You can have any combination of their loads up to their max but not go over the total limit. I used Van Weight Engineering to do the paperwork exercise.
I hope I've not confused you even more with my explanation.

Ahh. I see, that's quite simple really isn't it?
I'm assuming that the tyres are probably the same as were originally fitted, so they won't need replacing/upgrading? Fronts are 215/75r16c 116/114r 10 ply- I know this from a receipt dated last year in July.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

As far as technical issues are concerned I found Dee at Van Weight Eng'g very helpful. 0447568981882. It cost me £120 and he supplied all the forms and technical sheets for me to submit to the DVLA. I got the new V5 in about 6 weeks which considering that they were on strike for a couple of those weeks wasn't bad.