Swapping chassis - similar though different lengths

[TheMobileWanderer]

I'm trying to build a motorhome with an Al-Ko low-loader chassis or similar from another brand. The various companies that make such vehicles only do so on their own cabs and not on those of a 3rd party e.g. me.

I've found a Peugeot with an alko chassis of the correct length (XLWB) and a mercedes sprinter cab chassis with an alko chassis (MWB).
The top line of the advert which I understand is data directly from DVLA, says they are both MWB. Therefore, one of them seems to have been modified.
My question is: If I bought both and swapped chassis over so I would have the Merc with the long chassis, would I fall foul of DVLA or at next MOT?
(I wouldn't be me personally swapping over but a proper mechanic who would know what he or she is doing).

 

[Figaro]

Can't answer your query, but wow, why would you not just buy a suitable chassis and cab attached.
Doing as you suggest sounds like an awful lot of work and for what benefit ?
Unless I misunderstood you

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Can't answer your query, but wow, why would you not just buy a suitable chassis and cab attached.
Doing as you suggest sounds like an awful lot of work and for what benefit ?
Unless I misunderstood you

I would do so if I could find one on the second hand market.
I'm not able to buy a new cab chassis and am looking at 2016 onwards, hoping to get a 2018 onwards current-faced Merc.
Failing that, a VW Crafter, Iveco Daily, Ducato in that order of pref.

I agree it's a hassle and a faff but if I get the chassis I want, I'll be able to build a proper MH, with all the spec I could wish for. Proper shower and all-day-long hot water, Off-grid permanently (though diesel heater until I can stretch to enough solar panels).
Maybe I need to find some patience too.

 

[Carpmart]

Theoretically you’d need to have the vehicle tested/inspected/approved. It’s called an IVA and is primarily for kit car builds, heavily modified cars and imported cars which don’t have type approval in the UK.

It’s not too onerous, but it’s a moderately complex and an increasingly thorough process.

Alternatively you just ignore it and get it MOT’d once you’ve finished.

 

[Brains]

Just as a FYI, my sister did something similar.

The end result cost more than half what you would have paid for a brand new one straight off the dealers forecourt with the usual extras, and probably twice as much you would have paid for one of the age of her van.

Which means if it got stolen/written off tomorrow she would probably get 20-30% of the actual cost.

It is also 'missing' some basic things that my factory built van, that is 10 years newer but only about £10k more expensive has, such as decent installation, proper heating, a decent bed, quality interior decoration, a TV, and oven, a proper loo with a cassette, storage storage storage.

Whilst her van has a certain 'rustic' appeal and internally a unique character, given the choice between hers and mine I know which one I'd take.

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[MisterB]

is there an option to buy an older motorhome, with decent chassis and engine etc and build what you want from there?

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Thanks guys.
So far, the numbers stack up differently than for your sister Brains.

The options are:-
1. Get a friendly (if there is one) conversion company to fit me a Al-Ko chassis on a used chassis cab. Then get a box maker to build the, em, box. Estimated to be 8k (6k for chassis and 2k for the box) + the initial van cost, which could bring in a total of a ready-to-convert van to 15k.

2. A new van, with the requisite chassis but a box which would not be suitable for a motorhome and so it would need to be replaced. That's 50k +VAT + new box.

It seems, and it has been said by two such companies, they can't get me an Al-Ko lo-loader chassis because the manufacturers have a deal in place with all the motorhome builders and so, they won't sell to the random person or to those companies.

One company that does do that chassis is restricted to commercial vehicles, which means they can't make the box suitable for a motorhome. They also won't put the chassis onto a 3rd party cab because it would disrupt their assembly line.

Feels a bit like when Microsoft had all the PC makers tied in. I went to Linux.

Tempted to explore type approval with a new chassis made for me and sold 'open source'. That's how frustrating this is.

MisterB thank you. I haven't seen any that float my boat and are within my budget.
Those within my budget seem really to be really dated. Eyes peeled though.

 

[funflair]

I'm trying to build a motorhome with an Al-Ko low-loader chassis or similar from another brand. The various companies that make such vehicles only do so on their own cabs and not on those of a 3rd party e.g. me.

I've found a Peugeot with an alko chassis of the correct length (XLWB) and a mercedes sprinter cab chassis with an alko chassis (MWB).
The top line of the advert which I understand is data directly from DVLA, says they are both MWB. Therefore, one of them seems to have been modified.
My question is: If I bought both and swapped chassis over so I would have the Merc with the long chassis, would I fall foul of DVLA or at next MOT?
(I wouldn't be me personally swapping over but a proper mechanic who would know what he or she is doing).

I very much doubt that you would find anybody who would swap the chassis over, is the Merc a newer FWD ?

 

[MisterB]

MisterB thank you. I haven't seen any that float my boat and are within my budget.
Those within my budget seem really to be really dated. Eyes peeled though.

have you considered looking at a motorhome thats been written off for some reason/stolen recovered etc

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[BaileySteve]

In the truck world it’s quite normal to have the chassis shortened or extended if the manufacturer cannot build the exact length required. Not sure where you are based, can check with our sales team for known converters but they may not do the lighter chassis.

As Carpmart has mentioned you will almost certainly need an IVA as the law changed a few years ago and you may fall into WVTA Whole Vehicle Approval which is more complicated as everything is part of the test. Even to the point that we wouldn’t fit something like a light bar until the vehicle was registered, and then it is up to the operator to declare. Not sure at what weight this applies, I’d make sure you research in detail or you may have an expensive ornament you can’t register.

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