Help——Gross weight plate & PLG on V5

[ItaMotorhomer]

Hi

Recently left a deposit on a motorhome, when viewing it we pointed out to the dealers that the outer weight plate stated 3800kg, however the dealers then took out the V5C and there’s no weight stated on there and it states PLG on it, and that probably been downplated by previous owner.

Now I was hoping this was the case but after contacting Sv tech they have no records of them dealing with this motorhome. They also stated without a plate showing 3500kg been present i shouldn’t be driving it.

I then spoke to DVLA who said they have no records of previous downplates or any weight ever been registered for this motorhome.

Big question is can I drive this with my B license (no C1 entitlement) or what would you suggest I do?

 

[pappajohn]

You don't need a 3rd party, it's a simple paper exercise.
All you need is a weighbridge ticket showing the unladen weight. (completely empty of all personal goods....EVERYTHING NOT BOLTED DOWN. (If the unladen weight is close to 3500kg they won't downplate as it won't have any load capacity)

Return the V5 with the ticket and a cover letter explaining what you want changing.
They already have it as PLG so expect nothing changed.

 

[the darkside]

Vwe are cheaper than sv tech,up plated mine,took around 3 weeks due to dvla part,but straight forward

 

[Fat Albert]

Sorry mate but I'm referring to my own vehicle. Obviously Fiat and most other Commercial Vehicle manufacturer's, can be specified with different chassis at the point of order. Clearly if they didn't everything would be the same....
My Ducato is on a lightweight Chassis. You can specify the heavy duty with different leaf springs and shock absorbers. Some even use Alko Chassis. Look it up if you think I'm incorrect.

Mine is a light chassis and has been up plated. So, what you are saying all MHF members who have up plates are wrong. The VWE and SV Tech are wrong and so is the DVLA for putting the dangerous vehicles on the road. I think not.

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

You don't need a 3rd party, it's a simple paper exercise.
All you need is a weighbridge ticket showing the unladen weight. (completely empty of all personal goods....EVERYTHING NOT BOLTED DOWN.
Return the V5 with the ticket and a cover letter explaining what you want changing.
They already have it as PLG so expect nothing changed.

Would I still need a new plate to show the new weight (3500kg)?

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[ItaMotorhomer]

You don't need a 3rd party, it's a simple paper exercise.
All you need is a weighbridge ticket showing the unladen weight. (completely empty of all personal goods....EVERYTHING NOT BOLTED DOWN. (If the unladen weight is close to 3500kg they won't downplate as it won't have any load capacity)

Return the V5 with the ticket and a cover letter explaining what you want changing.
They already have it as PLG so expect nothing changed.

I guess I will first have to register it on my name (currently still with the dealers) then once I receive the V5 on my name sent it back with the weightbridge receipt?

I f this is the case I will need to either get it delivered (if possible) or ask the dealer to keep it with them until I receive the updated V5

 

[Mark1965]

Mine is a light chassis and has been up plated. So, what you are saying all MHF members who have up plates are wrong. The VWE and SV Tech are wrong and so is the DVLA for putting the dangerous vehicles on the road. I think not.

You need to check the Vin plate that is affixed at the time of construction. It will have the max weights for the type approval. I cannot up plate my 3850kg to 5000kg. I doubt the companies you are quoting would be able to either without some serious work to the chassis and running gear.

 

[pappajohn]

Would I still need a new plate to show the new weight (3500kg)?

If the original plate is missing then technically, yes.
Without the certificate of conformity it's doubtful fiat would help so I don't know how you get a new plate.

 

[gus-lopez]

The op says he has two plates 3500kgs mercedes & 3800kgs Burstner post no;13

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

If the original plate is missing then technically, yes.
Without the certificate of conformity it's doubtful fiat would help so I don't know how you get a new plate.

No the original plates are present
- Mercedes 3500kg
-Burstner 3800Kg

My main concern is without an updated plated supplied by the likes of Sv tech I’d be in the same position I’m now ? Ie V5 showing PLG & external original plate 3800kg.

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[Mark1965]

You need to check the Vin plate that is affixed at the time of construction. It will have the max weights for the type approval. I cannot up plate my 3850kg to 5000kg. I doubt the companies you are quoting would be able to either without some serious work to the chassis and running gear.

 

[Mark1965]

View attachment 898085

From SV Tech website

 

[Orion]

You need to check the Vin plate that is affixed at the time of construction. It will have the max weights for the type approval. I cannot up plate my 3850kg to 5000kg. I doubt the companies you are quoting would be able to either without some serious work to the chassis and running gear.

Not necessarily. My Stage 1 Fiat plate is 3650kg GVW with 2000kg on the rear axle. The Adria Stage 2 plate is the same but only as I requested the ‘free’ upgrade from the brochure listed 3500kg, which is what the model is supplied as standard for the U.K. (restricted licence) market.

Because it has the 9 speed auto box it already comes from the factory with the HD front suspension, 300mm ventilated discs all round, and 16” 1250kg rated alloys with CP tyres to suit. I added Dunlop rear air suspension (the only modification) and it is now plated at 4250kg with 2400kg on the rear axle.

 

[headlight]

I guess I will first have to register it on my name (currently still with the dealers) then once I receive the V5 on my name sent it back with the weightbridge receipt?

I f this is the case I will need to either get it delivered (if possible) or ask the dealer to keep it with them until I receive the updated V5

If you do that and find that it is near 3,500kgs without you, passengers and your 'stuff' in it then what do you do.
You have a vehicle your license allows you to drive but to use it you will be overweight.
You need this sorted out before purchase.

 

[Fat Albert]

You need to check the Vin plate that is affixed at the time of construction. It will have the max weights for the type approval. I cannot up plate my 3850kg to 5000kg. I doubt the companies you are quoting would be able to either without some serious work to the chassis and running gear.

I never said Fiats can be up plate to 5000Kg, where from the left field did that one come from. My vehicle was 3500kg it's now 3850kg and yes, work had to be done i.e semi air suspension on the rear axle but mine isn't an alko chassis. The fiat chassis plate isn't the max weight that the vehicle can achieve because all the convertors would be stumped. The 3500Kg is a get around for B licence holders. If are a C1 holder and you can up plate to the design limit. Light chassis or Maxi chassis. Apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread but there is some internet BS being bandied around

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[Mark1965]

I never said Fiats can be up plate to 5000Kg, where from the left field did that one come from. My vehicle was 3500kg it's now 3850kg and yes, work had to be done i.e semi air suspension on the rear axle but mine isn't an alko chassis. The fiat chassis plate isn't the max weight that the vehicle can achieve because all the convertors would be stumped. The 3500Kg is a get around for B licence holders. If are a C1 holder and you can up plate to the design limit. Light chassis or Maxi chassis. Apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread but there is some internet BS being bandied around

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

If you do that and find that it is near 3,500kgs without you, passengers and your 'stuff' in it then what do you do.
You have a vehicle your license allows you to drive but to use it you will be overweight.
You need this sorted out before purchase.

Yes I was going to ask the dealers to take it to a weightbridge before paying the remaining balance. Once I have a receipt I’d be in a position to make a decision based on the weight

What I’m thinking (correct me if I’m wrong) if the dealers sent the V5 back to DVLA with weightbridge slip asking to change/update the weight will not then DVLA sent the new V5 out to previous buyers owner as that’s what they’d have on records ?

 

[pappajohn]

The op says he has two plates 3500kgs mercedes & 3800kgs Burstner post no;13

No new plate needed then.

 

[Fat Albert]

View attachment 898095

So basically what you are saying is that: a Fiat Ducato with a plate weight of 3500kg Front axle 1800kgs and a rear axle of 2000 kgs can't be up plated. With or without modification. My original Fiat plate says it could be up plated to 3800kg without doing anything but a paper exercise to the DVLA. However, I have the gone down the same route as Orion with regard to up plating and we are still road legal and as I said before cheaper road tax.

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

No new plate needed then.

Would that not leave me in the same position I’m now ? V5 stating PLG & not ate to show it is 3500kg?

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[Mark1965]

I never said Fiats can be up plate to 5000Kg, where from the left field did that one come from. My vehicle was 3500kg it's now 3850kg and yes, work had to be done i.e semi air suspension on the rear axle but mine isn't an alko chassis. The fiat chassis plate isn't the max weight that the vehicle can achieve because all the convertors would be stumped. The 3500Kg is a get around for B licence holders. If are a C1 holder and you can up plate to the design limit. Light chassis or Maxi chassis. Apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread but there is some internet BS being bandied around

Apologies to the OP. We are digressing. My (5ton ) upplate was an example. I've posted a screenshot from SV Tech. As I said originally everything has a design limit. When buying new like I did with a Pilote it came with a free up plate as everything was in place from the factory so it was a paperwork exercise. If you want to go beyond that and subject to design limits as quoted in my screenshot you may need to upgrade suspension and wheels.

 

[Mark1965]

So basically what you are saying is that: a Fiat Ducato with a plate weight of 3500kg Front axle 1800kgs and a rear axle of 2000 kgs can't be up plated. With or without modification. My original Fiat plate says it could be up plated to 3800kg without doing anything but a paper exercise to the DVLA. However, I have the gone down the same route as Orion with regard to up plating and we are still road legal and as I said before cheaper road tax.

No that is not what I said. I pointed out that the VIN shows the max design weight of both Axles so you can up plate to that without modification. Over that and obviously you will need to make significant changes to suspension etc to comply within the legal parameters.

 

[Barclaybasher]

When I bought my 2001 Mobilvetta A class on a Ducato Maxi chassis with air assist on back - it was plated at 3850kg - the seller didn't even know! - I didn't have C1 - given up at 70. Did the stress test (previous heart attack). got C1.

Decided to downplate to 3500kg - There was a plate fitted by Mobilvetta, it was completely blank.

Took photo of Fiat plate under the bonnet - 3500kg, filled out the V5 section - no weighbridge ticket.

Now V5 shows 3500kg

 

[Mark1965]

When I bought my 2001 Mobilvetta A class on a Ducato Maxi chassis with air assist on back - it was plated at 3850kg - the seller didn't even know! - I didn't have C1 - given up at 70. Did the stress test (previous heart attack). got C1.

Decided to downplate to 3500kg - There was a plate fitted by Mobilvetta, it was completely blank.

Took photo of Fiat plate under the bonnet - 3500kg, filled out the V5 section - no weighbridge ticket.

Now V5 shows 3500kg

Down plating is always going to be easier.

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

When I bought my 2001 Mobilvetta A class on a Ducato Maxi chassis with air assist on back - it was plated at 3850kg - the seller didn't even know! - I didn't have C1 - given up at 70. Did the stress test (previous heart attack). got C1.

Decided to downplate to 3500kg - There was a plate fitted by Mobilvetta, it was completely blank.

Took photo of Fiat plate under the bonnet - 3500kg, filled out the V5 section - no weighbridge ticket.

Now V5 shows 3500kg

Can you advise how you’ve done this? Ie send the photo of the plate & form back to DVLA? Then they sent new one out with amendments?

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[Orion]

Would that not leave me in the same position I’m now ? V5 stating PLG & not ate to show it is 3500kg?

If you have the GVW showing as 3500kg on the V5 it should suffice - although as you are already PLG it would be belt and braces anyway.

Personally I would be more concerned that the moho has already been down plated to 3500kg/PLG to make it more saleable to a wider (restricted licence) market.

Because of the already noted discrepancies between the Stage 2 plate and the V5C PLG (sub 3500kg) I think it would be prudent to ask the dealer to produce a current valid weighbridge ticket of the vehicle in running order before parting with any money. How would feel if, god forbid, you only have a minimal payload?

 

[Fat Albert]

It will give you the max weights. For example, my 2023 pvc shows front axle (1) as 1850kg , rear axle (2) as 2000kg. These are the vehicles max design weight and must NOT be exceeded. However it is registered as 3500kg on V5.

This is what you said in #17. The fiat plate is not the max design weight.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Can you advise how you’ve done this? Ie send the photo of the plate & form back to DVLA? Then they sent new one out with amendments?

That's all I did......

 

[Brains]

ItaMotorhomer

One factor to add into the mix.
Leave the van as it is, and upgrade your licence to a C1 or to a D1(E)

There are various ways to do this, one is you can pay about a grand and do the lessons and take the test.
It then means you can legally drive anying up to 7.5t.
(It also means you can drive a traction engine and a lawn mower on the public highway!)
It also means, should the need ever arise, you could get a delivery job tomorrow with a C1.

You may also find local schools are desperate to get occasional minibus drivers with C1's.
Two mates of mine got the local school to pay for the tests and they do occasional minibus runs for the school.
(Museum visits and Geography field trips and the like)

You local Scout Group/Army Cadets/Church group etc are also after C1's and also may be prepared to help towards payments, but remember they are a charity, so don't take the advantage unless it suits everyone.

 

[pappajohn]

Would that not leave me in the same position I’m now ? V5 stating PLG & not ate to show it is 3500kg?

Your existing mercedes 3500kg plate is sufficient.

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[Mark1965]

This is what you said in #17. The fiat plate is not the max design weight.

The Vin plate showing both front and rear axle weights combined= 3850kg. This is the max design weight of those 2 axles as it left the factory. What you decide to do if you want to go over the axle "design max" is entirely a separate issue. You will need potentially bigger wheels/ brakes suspension etc. That is why SV Tech etc are in business to carry out the required mods needed to comply within the law. Perhaps you know far more than me on this subject or you are getting the wrong end of the stick.