Tam and Toby ~~ Hunting Zorba .....Take two.

[Northernraider]

There are so many Vario van conversions going on in You Tube, I have been following Max & Sophie over the winter, they are so fortunate to have a humongous workshop to do the van in.
They seem to have thousands of pounds worth of tools, bought or borrowed, but it has taken them a year thus far.
I bet a lot of that time was doing searches online for bits, along with research as Max seems very methodical. I know how long that can take, and you cannot complete any part of the build without every part needed, and things change as you build etc.
I am not on social media, but I know you are, maybe you have already spoken to them?, but they got their van MOT'd and Max is doing his C1 to allow him to drive it.
Might be a good contact for you in the future as they will be doing events full time in the summer, then travelling in the winter, sounds ideal.
Sophie is a peach also and very useful, will have a go at most tasks other ladies would shy away from.
PS: I take it you will remove that rear bulkhead?, that would spoil most rear garage plans I have seen.
LES

Check out this build but scroll back their videos and watch from the start. This is the second vario they are building as john built the first one for his mate graham who does the videos.

They are on Instagram too @isambard

 

[tacr2man]

You need to mot as what it is now ie a van so class 7 you can then change the body type when you tax it , it will not be testable as a minibus as it doesnt fulfill the requirements . much the same as when finished (as long as it complies with the requirements and use ) as a motorcaravan (class 4) even if it comes back as a van with windows

 

[Northernraider]

You need to mot as what it is now ie a van so class 7 you can then change the body type when you tax it , it will not be testable as a minibus as it doesnt fulfill the requirements . much the same as when finished (as long as it complies with the requirements and use ) as a motorcaravan (class 4) even if it comes back as a van with windows

Thats my query though ...i assume it can just get a normal mot and not a psv mot.

Not fussed what they mot it as ...as long as i can put it on the road and drive it.

Many of the ones im following on Instagram etc haven't bothered MOT ing them till they are finished but i need to be able to move it ...to dump crap , collect supplies etc and in case i need to move it somewhere else ...never had a vehicle this size before so no idea with the class 7 mot

 

[Langtoftlad]

Name check eh Tam Northernraider

 

[TinaLes]

Im sure i told you the last time you mentioned them ive been following their build since October. ...one of many im following.
If youve not found sometimes i wanders build its worth a look ....one of the best builds ive seen and the same base minibus as mine

Max and sophies is a van not a minibus so their mot would be different.

Theres good and bad in their build theres a lot id have done differently but thats the beauty of self builds we all have different requirements etc


The rear framing and the drop boot will all be getting removed ..ill be constructing a different frame to support a rear platform to carry a motorbike on it but the floor will be one level from front to rear

It wasn't me that mentioned them before Tam, maybe it was because someone else mentioned them that I found them on you tube and was immediately hooked. I would love to know how much their van cost them, I know they discovered it by accident as they were not looking for a Vario initially. Seems to be no holes barred in purchasing stuff on a budget, their Blanco Belfast sink in Black was an eye opener for me, such an extensive range available. I liked their log burner also, but not sure I agree with its positioning or their method of heating water, didn't see an indirect heat exchanger going inside their hot water tank, to be fed from engine, think he only showed the heat exchanger from the diesel heater.
We await to see his finished Victron set up, I know its 24V, but with two 100amp MPPT's how many solar panels has he budgeted for...lots I reckon.
PS: I like your rooflights they are proper jobs.
LES

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[Northernraider]

It wasn't me that mentioned them before Tam, maybe it was because someone else mentioned them that I found them on you tube and was immediately hooked. I would love to know how much their van cost them, I know they discovered it by accident as they were not looking for a Vario initially. Seems to be no holes barred in purchasing stuff on a budget, their Blanco Belfast sink in Black was an eye opener for me, such an extensive range available. I liked their log burner also, but not sure I agree with its positioning or their method of heating water, didn't see an indirect heat exchanger going inside their hot water tank, to be fed from engine, think he only showed the heat exchanger from the diesel heater.
We await to see his finished Victron set up, I know its 24V, but with two 100amp MPPT's how many solar panels has he budgeted for...lots I reckon.
PS: I like your rooflights they are proper jobs.
LES

Ah no probs ... someone had mentioned them on here before so i thought it was you. I get the feeling that parents of max and Sophie are part funding the build ...its their family business they are using to build the van in so that helps considerably i imagine. Im not keen where they are putting the burner either as you cant see it from either the seating area or the bed. Not entirely sure about the water system either or where they are locating the electrical stuff as it is a bit exposed there i believe they are fitting 5 x 175 watt victron panels and 4 big victron agm batteries.
Im opting for 2 x lithium i think and 2 x 250watt solar ...


The rooflights in this are glass and single glazed but definitely heavy duty jobbies...not sure yet if best to keep those and make thermal covers for them and some form of flyscreen or whether to remove and fit heki units instead ...need to get up on roof and check condition of them and seals etc before i decide

 

[wigster]

The thing about building your own van and the experiance of full timing will set you in the right direction Tam
You will never get it spot on but you will as near as.
Just make sure you are honest with yourself about any rust etc on the van you have bought or it will all be for nowt a few years down the line.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Not fussed what they mot it as ...as long as i can put it on the road and drive it.

Does this have a bearing on what classes you need on your license? If it has some sort of PSV MOT then you would need the corresponding class on your license I presume.

 

[monzer]

I know it's been covered a lot on this forum but I was never really interested before but..... to drive a bus like your new one Tam what would I need given that I don't have grandfather rights?

What does the actual practical test involve? Must feel pretty good to know you've all that payload to play about with.

 

[Northernraider]

The thing about building your own van and the experiance of full timing will set you in the right direction Tam
You will never get it spot on but you will as near as.
Just make sure you are honest with yourself about any rust etc on the van you have bought or it will all be for nowt a few years down the line.

Yes thats why im still cautious to say im definitely building it ....i want to make sure i can do all the welding required OR i can get someone to do some of the bits I can't. I'll feel more comfortable once its been for an mot and i have some of the rear bulkhead etc removed to access the hard to see places.

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[Northernraider]

Does this have a bearing on what classes you need on your license? If it has some sort of PSV MOT then you would need the corresponding class on your license I presume.

As far as i can see ...a c1 license covers me for the weight etc ...i think a d1 is whats required for psv but psv is only really for hire or reward ..basically im licensed to drive it but not to carry paying passengers.


Im pretty sure the mot situation is similar as in its a class 5 mot for minibuses but a class 7 for the van of this weight

Im going to phone the garage i use for my mot on toby this morning and ask what the score is

 

[Northernraider]

I know it's been covered a lot on this forum but I was never really interested before but..... to drive a bus like your new one Tam what would I need given that I don't have grandfather rights?

What does the actual practical test involve? Must feel pretty good to know you've all that payload to play about with.

You would need to do the c1 test .

And its fairly easy from what ive seen

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

As far as i can see ...a c1 license covers me for the weight etc ...i think a d1 is whats required for psv but psv is only really for hire or reward ..basically im licensed to drive it but not to carry paying passengers.

That makes sense, I've looked at minibuses in the past and wasn't sure.

You would need to do the c1 test .

And its fairly easy from what ive seen

I watched someones trials and tribulations to get there C1, was surprised to see they were driving an automatic 7.5t truck for the test. Never took their hands off the wheel!!

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Have you found the Bernard Kerr vario build videos on Youtube. He is a pro mountain bike rider and it's just something else he's doing, doesn't mention "vario" in the video titles, he calls it the "steeze van" I'm not down enough with the kids to know what that means, but he's not messing around and it doesn't look too bad so far.

 

[Northernraider]

Ok so having spoke to my garage , the hgv garage they put me on to and then dvla who they tokd me to speak to its a little more complicated.

I have to download and fill in a form vt5 which is used to remove a vehicle from the psv scheme ....and that then makes it an HGV and needs tested as such ....then once converted it will be changed to a class4 mot which is the normal motorhome, car one

Until then it can only be mot as a psv ....so i need to do that first.

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[nicholsong]

Ok so having spoke to my garage , the hgv garage they put me on to and then dvla who they tokd me to speak to its a little more complicated.

I have to download and fill in a form vt5 which is used to remove a vehicle from the psv scheme ....and that then makes it an HGV and needs tested as such ....then once converted it will be changed to a class4 mot which is the normal motorhome, car one

Until then it can only be mot as a psv ....so i need to do that first.

You should be talking to DVSA about MOT categories as they are the ones that control that regime and license the est centres. DVLA only get involved in checking a current MOT is in place before renewing VED>

Geoff

 

[Northernraider]

You should be talking to DVSA about MOT categories as they are the ones that control that regime and license the est centres. DVLA only get involved in checking a current MOT is in place before renewing VED>

Geoff

Yeah i meant dvsa


Although they are pretty useless too..

Ive downloaded the form but cant fill it in online like they said as none of my proggrames will let me edit it ...states its a protected government document.

That and the fact it's designed for people who know all the technical jargon on psv requirements etc ...

This is the form ....ive no idea what section 5 means and whether it is or isn't

Ive had to email dvsa technicalofficers for clarification

Why everything needs to be quite so complicated i dont know

 

[Stonemags76]

Can you print it out, fill it in & scan it back in??

 

[Northernraider]

Can you print it out, fill it in & scan it back in??

Dont have a printer or scanner , neither does mum , sister or my 3 closest mates ....i thought i was the only one lol.



But anyway ive now had a reply from dvsa technicaladvisors telling me ive been given the wrong information and that the form i need is application for a vehicle first plating hgv mot test

So i now have that form but still need it printed somehow ...and ive had to reply to them again asking advice on how to complete that one as its even more complicated.

Spent nearly the whole day today on this trying to get somewhere before i get the pushy insurance guy on the phone again at 6pm ....

That old saying nothing worth doing is easy was obviously someone dealing with dvsa

 

[Stonemags76]

If you can get it printed you can photograph it with your phone once it’s filled in - same as scanning really! One less step at least!

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[Val 3 dogs]

When I was last in the Highlands the village Post Office had a printer/scanner available for public use as did Inverness.
It might have changed now but worth a try.

 

[Langtoftlad]

He can't go anywhere, he's in quarantine.

 

[Val 3 dogs]

Of course, I forgot that! But one of his mates or his sister probably could.

 

[Northernraider]

If you can get it printed you can photograph it with your phone once it’s filled in - same as scanning really! One less step at least!

In typical dvsa form though nothing is easy ...i need an interpreter to decipher what exactly i need to fill in on the form etc its asking for testing stations locations etc ...like i know
And payment enclosed. ....for what?

And when i emailed the technical assistant he's going on about tachos and cpc tests etc ....ive not a clue whats going on

 

[Northernraider]

Ok so this is the new form

If anyone is more clued up than me and can figure half of this out feel free to assist. I have the rather sparse v5 document with vehicle info only to go on.

I can see why a lot of the folk converting these just leave it till its been converted to a camper before trying to get mot etc as its a headache. Unfortunately i really need the van to be roadworthy and useable while i convert it ... don't want to be relying on deliveries for wood , insulation etc etc and incase i have to relocate the van at times , welder , paintshop etc etc ....some jobs i may not be able to do myself or in one location.

I only want a blooming mot

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[Podney]

Ask them to send you one printed in scottish. Then you might understand it.

 

[Northernraider]

Ask them to send you one printed in scottish. Then you might understand it.

Its all the plating stuff , payments etc i dont get ....and also test location time and date ? How do i know that ? I cant book a test till they change the bloody thing from psv to hgv

 

[StephandJohn]

If you make an MOT appointment and take it there with the form could they help you? It's probably easy if you know the tech stuff.

 

[Podney]

Its all the plating stuff , payments etc i dont get ....and also test location time and date ? How do i know that ? I cant book a test till they change the bloody thing from psv to hgv

Nightmare,and well beyond my comprehension / skill set / ability / brain power, I’m afraid!!
But you battle on,you’ll get there.

 

[Northernraider]

If you make an MOT appointment and take it there with the form could they help you? It's probably easy if you know the tech stuff.

According to the mot station they need a letter from dvsa confirminh that they can test it as hgv

You apparently get that letter by completing this form

Im not sure ...ive sent another email to the technical officer .... give him credit he replies fairly quickly and is helpful somewhat

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