Overweight campervan!

Sabby99

Sabby99

Joined
Aug 11, 2023
Posts
33
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86
Location
Bristol, UK
Funster No
98,065
MH
vw crafter
Exp
Newbie!
Hi all
My lovely new campervan is overweight. I weighed it a couple of days ago and with 2 people, full fuel and around 70 litres of water, it weighed 3780! It's a VW crafter panel van, LWB. The van was designed by a conversion company. (I've also still got problems with the electrics and whale water heater which is another story!)
The guy is currently in hospital so not answering messages. I'm a tad concerned that he will leave me in the lurch so I'm looking at my options (beside taking it apart and rebuilding). Someone suggested "up-plate" . Can anyone tell me the process of this with a camper van that still says panel van on the log book. Thanks in advance
 
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Hi Sabby
As above, have a chat to SVtech.
However, it is not only the van that will need changing but also your driving licence to include a C1 category. Requires training and a test. Maybe about £1000.
I recently found an electrics guy out near Longwell Green

Home | JC AUTO ELECTRICAL

www.jcautoelectrical.co.uk www.jcautoelectrical.co.uk
 
Upvote 0
Sabby99 said:
Can anyone tell me the process of this with a camper van that still says panel van on the log book
Click to expand...

You have to return the V5 complete with photos of the van , internal and external, showing it complies with the regulations below. ​

Contents​

  1. Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
  2. Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
  3. Category 3: Cooking facilities
  4. Category 4: Storage facilities
  5. Legal information
Print this page

For a vehicle to be recognised as being converted to a motor caravan it must meet all 4 categories shown below. For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.

Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)​

The seats and table must have the following features:
  • they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
  • a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
  • permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table

Category 2: Sleeping accommodation​

The sleeping accommodation:
  • shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
  • can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
  • must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment

Category 3: Cooking facilities​

Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
  • the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
  • the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure

Category 4: Storage facilities​

The storage facilities:
  • can be a cupboard or locker
  • form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
  • must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment




www.gov.uk

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
and
www.gov.uk

Internal features for motor caravans

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

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Last edited:
Upvote 1
Unfortunately many converters seem to use a lot of interior wood - looks nice but is heavy. My converted van is on the limit for weight but all interior is the special lightweight construction material or plastic. Not so nice looking but does the job.
 
Upvote 0
Riverbankannie said:
Hi Sabby
As above, have a chat to SVtech.
However, it is not only the van that will need changing but also your driving licence to include a C1 category. Requires training and a test. Maybe about £1000.
I recently found an electrics guy out near Longwell Green

Home | JC AUTO ELECTRICAL

www.jcautoelectrical.co.uk www.jcautoelectrical.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks! I have C1 on my license (showing my age!) Thanks for the recommendation for the electrics
 
Upvote 0
Riverbankannie said:
Unfortunately many converters seem to use a lot of interior wood - looks nice but is heavy. My converted van is on the limit for weight but all interior is the special lightweight construction material or plastic. Not so nice looking but does the job.
Click to expand...
I think that is what they have done. It's a LOT of wood. Mainly 15mm too. Never questioned it until I had it weighed as automatically assumed he knew what he was doing!!!
 
Upvote 0
scotjimland said:

You have to return the V5 complete with photos of the van , internal and external, showing it complies with the regulations below. ​

Contents​

  1. Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)
  2. Category 2: Sleeping accommodation
  3. Category 3: Cooking facilities
  4. Category 4: Storage facilities
  5. Legal information
Print this page

For a vehicle to be recognised as being converted to a motor caravan it must meet all 4 categories shown below. For DVLA to change the body type, the vehicle must have the external permanent features described in the DVLA guidance for converting a vehicle into a motor caravan.

Category 1: Seats and table (1 example for both)​

The seats and table must have the following features:
  • they shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area, mounted independently of other items
  • a table mounting arrangement shall be secured as a permanent feature, although the table top may be detachable
  • permanently secured seating must be fixed to the floor or sidewall and available for use at the table

Category 2: Sleeping accommodation​

The sleeping accommodation:
  • shall be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
  • can be either beds, or beds converted from seats
  • must be secured as a permanent feature, either with the base structure of the vehicle floor or to the side wall, unless the sleeping accommodation is provided over the driver’s cab compartment

Category 3: Cooking facilities​

Your conversion must have a minimum of a single ring cooking facility or microwave, which shall be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall as a permanent feature.
If the cooking facility is fuelled by an on-board gas supply:
  • the fuel reservoir must be secured in a storage cupboard or the reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
If the cooking facility is fuelled by gas having a remote fuel supply:
  • the fuel supply pipe must be permanently secured to the vehicle structure

Category 4: Storage facilities​

The storage facilities:
  • can be a cupboard or locker
  • form an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation, mounted independently of other items, unless incorporated below the seat, sleeping accommodation or cooker
  • must be secured permanently to the vehicle floor or side wall except when the storage facility is over the driver’s cab compartment




www.gov.uk

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
and
www.gov.uk

Internal features for motor caravans

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks! I have all that covered. Is that step one before I can have it up plated?
 
Upvote 0
Sabby99 said:
Thanks! I have all that covered. Is that step one before I can have it up plated?
Click to expand...
no sure.. but I would have it up-plated first, then re register .. two birds one stone

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Upvote 0
I also have 2 other contacts recommended by another funster. I didn’t try either recently as I just needed young muscle to change over my heavy (45 kg) battery.

LFP Mobile caravans lfpmobilecaravans@btinternet.com I have used LEE he is registered and knows and works on caravans and motorhomes he is based in pucklechurch but is fully mobile. please mention my name if you want to contact him !

I have a second independent motorhome and caravan engineer Mike Smart again based in bristol i can also recomend him, mobile , 01179675353 mob 07810611540.if you call him please mention me john white in mangotsfield.
 
Upvote 0
Riverbankannie said:
I also have 2 other contacts recommended by another funster. I didn’t try either recently as I just needed young muscle to change over my heavy (45 kg) battery.

LFP Mobile caravans lfpmobilecaravans@btinternet.com I have used LEE he is registered and knows and works on caravans and motorhomes he is based in pucklechurch but is fully mobile. please mention my name if you want to contact him !

I have a second independent motorhome and caravan engineer Mike Smart again based in bristol i can also recomend him, mobile , 01179675353 mob 07810611540.if you call him please mention me john white in mangotsfield.
Click to expand...
will do thanks!

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Upvote 0
An advantage of up plating will be cheaper road tax circa £180 per year
 
Upvote 0
I’d return it as not fit for purpose, even if you up plate it your payload isn’t going to be sufficient unless you can go over 4t.

Was it a brand new conversion?
Does the V5 say 3500 if so then he’s sold you an illegal vehicle.
 
Upvote 0
I've been to a couple of campervan festivals this year. I saw a company showcasing a converted 7m Sprinter with a tiled wet room, tiled kitchen with butchers block worktop and shiplap panelling to make it look like a beach hut. It was very nice. It was plated at 3.5t.

I'm under the impression that the #VanLife scene aren't too concerned about weight.
 
Upvote 0
What did they sell it at?
Did they specify what weight would be when you entered into the agreement.
 
Upvote 0
I am guessing the converter has ‘created’ the camper from the OP’s own van

My daughter has gone through this with a converter who specialised in van ply lining and got ideas above his skill set 🤔🙁

In her case all the electrics and gas installation has had to be redone by qualified companies

Hoping up plating sorts this easily for you

By checking the current weight plate you can tell the easiest upgrade by adding front and rear axle limits , hoping it is above 3500kg 🙄👍
 
Upvote 0
If its RWD then it's likely to be the 5.0 tonne version so uprating shouldn't be a problem, if not then you could find it impossible to uprate it, or if you can it would likely require additional expense on suspension, tyres etc to be able to do so, but might not give you much.

Do you know what variant it is?

Volkswagen Crafter van dimensions (2017-on), capacity, payload, volume, towing | Parkers

VW Crafter dimensions and specs from Parkers Vans and Pickups - capacity, height, length, width, towing weight, engine specs and more
www.parkers.co.uk
 
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