Is there any alternative to SV Tech to up-plate Motorhome?

[Ian-n-Suzy]

Is there any alternative to SV Tech to up-plate Motorhome?

(Others seem to have been taken off the list)

 

[AJM2]

I did it myself, got a letter from Hymer (very straightforward, for which there was a charge) and sent it all off. Turnaround was very quick, as was the refund on the tax.

 

[The Artilleryman]

Depends on whether it's just a paper excise IE the manufacturer down plated it to 3500kg so it can be driven on catagory B licence, or you have to upgrade tyres and suspension.

The former you can do yourself, the later needs an engineers report, hence SV Tech.

 

[Ian-n-Suzy]

I've used SV Tech numerous times over the years (and always been happy with them to be honest), to take to both 3750kg without the need for tyres / air bag suspension and also to 3850kg with the upgrades.

I'd be happy to take this just to 3750kg, I was just interested if there was any other options.

 

[Rog NotJane]

We used Van Weight Engineering. Dee was pretty helpful.

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[Ian-n-Suzy]

I don't they are approved to do it any more are they?

 

[MisterB]

I've used SV Tech numerous times over the years (and always been happy with them to be honest), to take to both 3750kg without the need for tyres / air bag suspension and also to 3850kg with the upgrades.

I'd be happy to take this just to 3750kg, I was just interested if there was any other options.

Hav you checked the UK gov website re vehicle weights and the 'leeway' before action is taken?
i am not advocating that anyone travels over weight, just that everyone is aware of what the law in the UK states.

 

[Manic]

I did it myself, got a letter from Hymer (very straightforward, for which there was a charge) and sent it all off. Turnaround was very quick, as was the refund on the tax.

I did it the same way in 2010

 

[MichaelT]

Why don't you want to use SV? We found them excellent, quick turn round and everything went smoothly with DVLA.

 

[Bill-H]

We used Van Weight Engineering. Dee was pretty helpful.

I emailed the earlier this year, they are no longer approved by DVLA, there is only SV Tech now.
I tried a downplate myself 3 months ago, weighbridge ticket and form sent to DVLA - they refused and told me I had to go through SV Tech

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[TinaLes]

Sadly, I don't think VWE are trading anymore, I have just been on their website which hasnt been updated in a while, the only contact given was an e-mail address, so I have just pinged over an enquiry to ask if and when they will be open for business.
LES

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

SV Tech were easy to deal with, fairly quick to respond to the initial enquiry using the form on their website. They produce an acceptable replacement “plate” and the documentation to send to DVLA, all for just over £320. Overall a professional service.
VWE have been removed from the DVLA list of companies that they accept. You may be able to get the manufacturer to provide the required engineering certificate and vehicle plate, but TBF SV Tech seem to fine.

 

[Howard B]

Sadly, I don't think VWE are trading anymore, I have just been on their website which hasnt been updated in a while, the only contact given was an e-mail address, so I have just pinged over an enquiry to ask if and when they will be open for business.
LES

This was the email I got from Dee at VWE in Jan:
—————————————————
Happy New Year, it's good to hear from you again.
However I've had a spanner thrown into the works at this end, so (assuming your case is a UK one) I won't be able to proceed further at the moment.

Despite >1,600 cases going through without a hitch over the years, on Monday 22nd we had a small number of packs/applications be held by the DVLA, whereas others have been approved as normal.

Upon discussion with my handler at the DVSA I've learned that the former Head who approved me has sadly passed away, and the new Head wants me to be reassessed/re-approved (which I can appreciate).
So I'm currently going through the process of being audited & hopefully re-accredited by the DVSA & in turn the un-objected by DVLA.
As I'm sure you can appreciate, as this is my livelihood I'm doing all I can to get this sorted as soon as possible, though I cannot say at present whether this will take days or weeks to resolve, so I couldn't in good conscience ask you to send your pack/logbook off to the DVLA without my normal guarantee that it will be approved without question, and pop out the other side.

I appreciate you're probably in a rush to get the weight of your vehicle changed, so I wouldn't be offended if you have to go through another service provider in the meantime, though of course I'll email you directly once I'm back up & running again (pinky promise).
If you'd not sorted your weight limit change elsewhere, I'd of course be more than happy to pick up where we left off, and you'd be at the very top of my list.

Thank you for your patience & understanding.

Speak soon & kind regards,

Dee Thorne

 

[Ray-Vic]

It's a shame as, whilst I know SV Tech do an admirable job, the service I got from Dee seemed to be more personal and the process better explained.

I hope he pursues this and gets his accreditation back as monopolies benefit nobody.

 

[GMLS]

It's a shame as, whilst I know SV Tech do an admirable job, the service I got from Dee seemed to be more personal and the process better explained.

I hope he pursues this and gets his accreditation back as monopolies benefit nobody.

Totally agree on all counts

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[WESTY66]

I take it that all Dee‘s previous successful applications for uprating that we have received from the dvla are still valid

 

[gus-lopez]

I tried a downplate myself 3 months ago, weighbridge ticket and form sent to DVLA - they refused and told me I had to go through SV Tech

Which seems at odds with the ·"Not allowed to make recommendations" line?
Their primary function is to manage driving licenses, vehicle registration, and vehicle tax, not to endorse private businesses.

 

[Carpmart]

I take it that all Dee‘s previous successful applications for uprating that we have received from the dvla are still valid

It’s the V5C that matters.. have you a V5C with the uprated details? If yes, doesn’t matter past that point Ady!

 

[Ian-n-Suzy]

Looks like SV Tech it is then, I've had nothing but good service from them in the past, but was keeping options open.

 

[IRHP]

This was the email I got from Dee at VWE in Jan:
—————————————————
Happy New Year, it's good to hear from you again.
However I've had a spanner thrown into the works at this end, so (assuming your case is a UK one) I won't be able to proceed further at the moment.

Despite >1,600 cases going through without a hitch over the years, on Monday 22nd we had a small number of packs/applications be held by the DVLA, whereas others have been approved as normal.

Upon discussion with my handler at the DVSA I've learned that the former Head who approved me has sadly passed away, and the new Head wants me to be reassessed/re-approved (which I can appreciate).
So I'm currently going through the process of being audited & hopefully re-accredited by the DVSA & in turn the un-objected by DVLA.
As I'm sure you can appreciate, as this is my livelihood I'm doing all I can to get this sorted as soon as possible, though I cannot say at present whether this will take days or weeks to resolve, so I couldn't in good conscience ask you to send your pack/logbook off to the DVLA without my normal guarantee that it will be approved without question, and pop out the other side.

I appreciate you're probably in a rush to get the weight of your vehicle changed, so I wouldn't be offended if you have to go through another service provider in the meantime, though of course I'll email you directly once I'm back up & running again (pinky promise).
If you'd not sorted your weight limit change elsewhere, I'd of course be more than happy to pick up where we left off, and you'd be at the very top of my list.

Thank you for your patience & understanding.

Speak soon & kind regards,

Dee Thorne

I got the same email from Dee in April.

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[Barclaybasher]

There are only 2 upsides to uprating - 'being legal' if you have to and reduced VED .....

Don't do it unless you have to

 

[Carpmart]

There are only 2 upsides to uprating - 'being legal' if you have to and reduced VED .....

Don't do it unless you have to

Depends on the starting position. I up plated from 6.5T to 7.3T and did it for one reason only, PAYLOAD!

 

[Minxy]

You could get in touch with the DVSA and ask for their list of approved engineering companies, not just for uprating, that's how I found out about John Ruffles (RIP) who had only just been approved by them so I was his first customer and he did quite a few for funsters - there therefore may be others on the DVSA list who you could approach to see if they do it.

 

[JockandRita]

Depends on the starting position. I up plated from 6.5T to 7.3T and did it for one reason only, PAYLOAD!

Ditto Harvey, from 6.0T to 6.85T, knowing I'd never be overloaded.

You could get in touch with the DVSA and ask for their list of approved engineering companies, not just for uprating, that's how I found out about John Ruffles (RIP) who had only just been approved by them so I was his first customer and he did quite a few for funsters - there therefore may be others on the DVSA list who you could approach to see if they do it.

We used him twice Mel. Very efficiant indeed.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[JaG]

It's a shame as, whilst I know SV Tech do an admirable job, the service I got from Dee seemed to be more personal and the process better explained.

I hope he pursues this and gets his accreditation back as monopolies benefit nobody.

I too went through VWE, upgrading mine from 3,850kg to 4,400kg and as you say, their personal service was second to none, always keeping in touch and doing the hard work of sorting and submitting. I do hope they have got it sorted now.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Reading the email from VWE the same circumstance might kick into play with SV Tech if their accredited officer also dies or leaves.
Mike

 

[1967bowesj]

Reading the email from VWE the same circumstance might kick into play with SV Tech if their accredited officer also dies or leaves.
Mike

Surely the appointment followed a selection process with documentation to validate acceptance to conditions.
Only one company removed from the process which if incorrectly done leaves dvla open to severe questioning should said company make official complaint. This question has gone round and round, the outcome is still the same, the company is removed and not re accredited, for what reason, who knows

 

[brentperkins]

You could get in touch with the DVSA and ask for their list of approved engineering companies, not just for uprating, that's how I found out about John Ruffles (RIP) who had only just been approved by them so I was his first customer and he did quite a few for funsters - there therefore may be others on the DVSA list who you could approach to see if they do it.

I have been trying to contact DVSA on a up-plating matter and cannot get a reply do you have any contact details please

 

[Loopyxlou]

We’ve had VB air assist suspension fitted by Armitage’s, and VB now offer weight uprating services if you use their products. Cost is £360 I believe. Their installers take all the vidence photos whilst it’s on the ramp, then send them to VB.

We didn’t use them, we used SV Tech, as they had done the pre work to allow us to decide what to do to uprate the chassis - and they were cheaper. Hey, I’m from Yorkshire

 

[Steve and Denise]

Well it all sounds like a box ticking exercise for people who know what and where to tick, as said most up/down ratings need no mechanical alterations,
Years back we used to up/down rate lorries with a simple letter then either fit or remove helper springs and alter tyre size but I’m sure now there will be a lot more paperwork with the same outcome.