Downplating from 3850 to 3500

[Millsy's]

Hi all ,
We are going to be traveling to Spain in February via the Chunnel and I have heard reports that a Motorhome plated at 3850 is a bit of a hindrance with regards to the extra cost on some poll roads and restrictions to certain towns so I am considering downplating to 3500 I might add that it is possible as our Carado T447 was upplated from 3500 originally as part of a special sales package .
What do you seasoned travelers think ?
Many thanks
Millsy

 

[Lenny HB]

Not what i says on the eu regulations website .
Alot of signage (when you actually see some) says 90k for over 3.5t also.
I was only doing just over 100 when i got flashed in a 130k ....which is what made us look .

EU regulations have nothing to do with speed limits in France. Each county sets its own speed limits.
Also most websites often get the limits wrong for Motorhomes.

 

[dunnah01]

Me too.

Me three

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Downplating doesn't cost anything but you will pay £130 a year higher VED.

Can you downplate without the need for the involvement of a professional engineer and their report? Van Weight Engineering are charging £275 to downplate, not sure how much S V Tech charge.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Can you downplate without the need for the involvement of a professional engineer and their report? Van Weight Engineering are charging £275 to downplate, not sure how much S V Tech charge.

I downplated from 3850kg just using the relevant section on the V5 and a photo of the 3500kg plate under the bonnet

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[Lizbiebrowne]

I downplated from 3850kg just using the relevant section on the V5 and a photo of the 3500kg plate under the bonnet

I understood there was a VTG10 to complete. Did you just send DVLA your V5 without any other form or covering letter (other than the photo)?

 

[andykim]

The French 'Camping Carists' ie motorhomers don't have Grandad rights like we do.

It's my understanding that to drive a +3.5t van, they HAVE to take a separate test.
Hence, I don't think I've ever seen a van (with a few obvious exceptions) of a motorhome,
French registered that is +3.5t.

Ive even been around dealers and vehicles that over here would be in the 4t bracket, as
if by magic have a 3.5t MAM badge on the outside.

The Lesson? Take your van to France, it will magically lose weight.

I might go there a few times in the next few weeks then to get my beach bod back

 

[Barclaybasher]

I understood there was a VTG10 to complete. Did you just send DVLA your V5 without any other form or covering letter (other than the photo)?

I sent a covering letter, with just the section on the V5 - but definitely no weighbridge ticket

 

[gus-lopez]

Hence, I don't think I've ever seen a van (with a few obvious exceptions) of a motorhome,
French registered that is +3.5t.

Plenty of french ones I've seen. As soon as you see the '50', '60','80','90', stcikers on the back itr means they are over 3,5T

 

[Reallyretired]

We seem to see a lot more of the big carthagos and Morellos recently. I don't think many of those are pretending to be 3.5t. Certainly usually show the Angles Mort stickers. Middle size French ones do appear to be masquerading as 3.5t though even though probably well over.
I don't think many over 7m are likely to be useable at 3.5t though.

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[Howard B]

I noticed when we were in France earlier this year there were quite a few roads limited to 3500kg.
Anyone had any issues using these roads when up plated above 3500kg. I suppose it may only be an issue if the V5 were to be checked.

 

[eurajohn]

It always amuses me when threads to do with this type of subject, i.e. overweight, cheating toll charges, etc. come up.
A van that left the base vehicle manufacturer at say 4.2 tonne, after conversion was down plated to 3500Kg is still legally capable of carrying 4.2 tonne so long as the accompanying documentation is revisited to show 4.2 tonne and the relevant licence to drive is held?
A foreign countries speed limit, access limits or charging regimes are not quite the same as they will normally show the actual classification that decide the restriction or charge.
The same people that decry the use of a technically overweight van i.e. one that is down plated from it's legal manufactured capacity, will happily defend themselves and others when it comes to speed limits, arguing at toll booths or many other "johnny foreigner rules and regulations".
What's the difference?, why does shouting, demanding bullying an operative make it OK to do.

 

[Pausim]

The VTG10 is a DVSA form not an DVLA form and I don’t think the DVSA get involved in motorhome plating because we are not carrying goods on a commercial basis.

 

[the1andonly]

looks no different to any other sub 3500 Motorhome, however that only holds true unless you apply for Crit Air Pass and give the authorities your details; computers talk.

Didn't you accidently send the jpg of your original V5 before upplating

 

[Charente16]

In France as well as some other European countries, it is illegal to make any changes to the ’original’ specification of a vehicle as set out in the CoC. The reason you don’t see any Self Builds here, a mattress and a camping stove you could get away with!

Robert

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[Baggydave]

I downplated from 3850kg just using the relevant section on the V5 and a photo of the 3500kg plate under the bonnet

It tried that. DVLA just refused unless I went through a process company like van weight engineering. Even pointed me to a list of companies on line.

 

[Barclaybasher]

It tried that. DVLA just refused unless I went through a process company like van weight engineering. Even pointed me to a list of companies on line.

Sorry it didn't work for you
I did it in lockdown and a telephone call to DVLA sorted it
Hope you manage to downplate