Van Or Pvc?

[MarionK]

At what stage of conversion does a van become a motorhome? Obviously if I just put all my old camping gear, including toilet, plus a bed of some ilk, it's still just a van. So, is it a fitted sink and running water, extra windows, or just 'change of use' registered with DVLA?

Which actually brings up another question, at what point is it a legal requirement to change the vehicle's status with DVLA, or is it not required, merely desirable?

 

[David BW]

DVLA website tells you what's required - there's a handy checklist.

Assuming you have campervan insurance, it is not a requirement to re-register your vehicle as a “motor caravan” with the DVLA. However, there are benefits in doing so:-

• • Lower Insurance Premiums – As campervans generally have fewer claims than registered panel vans, do fewer miles and aren’t used for commercial use, insurance can be between 10% – 50% cheaper.
• • Contents Insurance – As campervans often contain personal belongings such as televisions and laptops, vehicles registered as campervans generally have better contents insurance than panel vans.
• • Cheaper MOT – Class VII vehicles (between 3000kg and 3500kg) registered as camper vans come under the cheaper and less restriction Class IV MOT rules. When inspecting the vehicle the MOT tester has to test the vehicle “as it is presented”. So if a campervan is presented, that would normally be class VII, even if it is not re-registered as a campervan, the MOT tester should test is as class IV vehicle.
• • Higher speed limit – Vans with an unladen weight of under 3050kg can travel at a maximum of 60mph on a dual carriageway. This increases to 70mph on a dual carriageway for vehicles registered as campervans. All other speed limits remain the same. Vehicles with a unladen weight over 3050kg (i.e. all 3500kg vans) have no change in speed limit when re-registering as a campervan.
• • Cheaper ferry prices – Traveling on a ferry is typically cheaper for a campervan or motorhome than a commercial van. Most ferry companies look at a converted campervan and are happy for it to pay the cheaper campervan price. However, a few ferry companies will use the DVLA log book classification to determine whether to price the vehicle as a commercial vehicle or not.

 

[Vanman]

I'm pretty sure that I read in previous threads that DVLA look at a picture of the van and if it has Windows and looks like a MH then it can be changed. However I also seem to remember that DVLA are not always keen to change the status at all!

 

[mikebeaches]

Motor caravan external permanent features​

This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:

• 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
• a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
• motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
• an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
• a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)

DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.

Evidence needed to support your application​

You must include the following evidence to support your application:

• a completed motor caravan conversion checklist
• a V5C showing one of the applicable body types as above
• interior photos of each one of the required features with the bed and table in the use position (see ‘Motor caravan internal features’ below); the photos must show that there are 2 or more windows providing daylight into the main living accommodation on at least one side of the main body
• exterior photos from the front, both sides and rear with the registration plates clearly visible
• a photo showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the chassis number stamped on the plate attached to the original chassis or vehicle bodyshell

On the back of each photo, write a description of what the photo shows, the date and the vehicle registration number.

Photographs will not be automatically returned - if you want your photographs returned you must request this in your application.

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk

 

[MarionK]

David BW's post got my cogs working, and I found a lot of info on an insurance site. Most notable is that 90ish% of everything inside, has to be fixed, and especially the gas, and the cylidners need to be in a dedicated proper compartment. And you must have cooking facility to qualify. So much for youtube vids with portable burners, and so much for my idea of easy conversion too. Eveything else I would be happy with and a bit more, (e.g. cassette toilet) but not permanently fixed gas with all those pipes all over the place. (Yes I know my mh has it, but it's well OTT for stealth camping.) I guess I'll stick with sleeping in the (estate) car.

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[CamperJack]

DVLA are quite un-accepting and even if you do everything on their silly list you just get "van with windows" a lot of the time.

Just put what you want in your van it and ignore the DVLA.

Just make sure you tell your insurance what you have in it / how you have modified it.

My camper will never be reclassified. I don't want "motorhome graphics", an awning bar, or even windows. The windscreen is more than enough.

 

[Sapper520]

My neighbour had a Sprinter van converted. It’s got everything our Sunlight van has, but after three attempts with DVLA he settled for a van with windows.

 

[scotzsue]

We went Tuesday pm but was soooooo quiet they were holding people until they had enough to fill a train. Still went over an hour early but just not as early as they had thought. Very quiet.

Motor caravan external permanent features​

This list describes the external features which are commonly seen in motor caravans, and it is intended to provide guidance on what DVLA expects to see when considering your application:

• 2 or more windows on at least one side of the main body (this does not include windows on the driver or passenger doors) to provide a reasonable amount of daylight into the living accommodation
• a separate door which provides access to the living accommodation of the vehicle (this excludes the driver and passenger doors); a window on this door counts as a separate window on the main body
• motor caravan-style graphics on both sides of the vehicle
• an awning bar attached to either side of the vehicle
• a high-top roof (this does not include a pop-top elevating roof)

DVLA will need photographic evidence of the completed conversion.

Evidence needed to support your application​

You must include the following evidence to support your application:

• a completed motor caravan conversion checklist
• a V5C showing one of the applicable body types as above
• interior photos of each one of the required features with the bed and table in the use position (see ‘Motor caravan internal features’ below); the photos must show that there are 2 or more windows providing daylight into the main living accommodation on at least one side of the main body
• exterior photos from the front, both sides and rear with the registration plates clearly visible
• a photo showing the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the chassis number stamped on the plate attached to the original chassis or vehicle bodyshell

On the back of each photo, write a description of what the photo shows, the date and the vehicle registration number.

Photographs will not be automatically returned - if you want your photographs returned you must request this in your application.

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk

Know a couple of young lads who have completely done as requested, fulfil all the criteria, were told it didn't look like a motorhome despite having appropriate graphics all requested Came back as 'van with windows' some manufacturers are falling foul of this too.

 

[MarionK]

Re-reading the list of advantages more carefully, it seems the only one that is truly dependent on DVLA registration is the speed limit, and I am fine with sticking to the van/lorry limits. I usually keep to them (even in my car) anyway, for the sake of fuel economy (and to a lesser extent, for personal safety).

Does the 'van with windows' classification have any significance v regular van?

 

[mikebeaches]

Know a couple of young lads who have completely done as requested, fulfil all the criteria, were told it didn't look like a motorhome despite having appropriate graphics all requested Came back as 'van with windows' some manufacturers are falling foul of this too.

Yes, interesting - I've heard it can be difficult to get DVLA to agree to 'motorhome' or 'motor caravan' status on the V5.

Whilst we have a Rapido PVC, which doesn't meet the DVLA guidance, because there is no awning rail... go figure.

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[MarionK]

Ooer, I've been seriously considering getting shot of the awning on my camper. Would I have to inform DVLA that it is no longer a campervan?

 

[scotzsue]

Yes, interesting - I've heard it can be difficult to get DVLA to agree to 'motorhome' or 'motor caravan' status on the V5.

Whilst we have a Rapido PVC, which doesn't meet the DVLA guidance, because there is no awning rail... go figure.

Yes and I have a fiat doblo motor caravan , crazy