Tam & co the great winter escape

[Northernraider]

I’m no expert but I wonder why the weight discrepancy wasn’t picked up on the MOT?

Its obviously been like this for well over 5 years. I would have thought the brake rollers would show it up as not every mot station could take a vehicle of this size. Its very strange.

Even the lowloader that recovered me the other day was struggling as its probably sitting around 4 - 4.5 tonne as it sits now

 

[Northernraider]

Is there another proof that the chassis number anywhere else on the van. This plate could come from a different van.

Yes its stamped on the chassis itself. Its definitely the correct van . All numbers and v5 match up ..im just unsure how its possible for dvla to make this mistake. Hopefully i can have it rectified cost free as i can prove these are the factory weights etc

Even the official spec sheet lists them

 

[Northernraider]

They don't look at the plate only way it would get picked up is if the tester had knowledge about those vehicles.

You would think the brake rollers would show it though. And your average ramp would struggle to lift it.

 

[Lenny HB]

You would think the brake rollers would show it though. And your average ramp would struggle to lift it.

Vans are normally done over a pit, also may have had a tame MOT guy.

My bet is someone in the past who didn't have a C1 sent false info to DVLA to get it downrated.

 

[Northernraider]

following your threads Tam Northernraider they motorhome is likely to fit for Spain but will it be suitable or even get to some of the spots you were in last winter.

Yes thats why im unsure what van is best for the future. Everything is a compromise somewhere. I know for instance that some of the dirt tracks ive ventured down this motorhome would not go ... And as yet im not sure how much that matters to me. This van is very comfortable etc and tonnes of storage space but its big and cumbersome.

Thats why for now im undecided...ill do this winter trip and see how i get on with it.

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[Northernraider]

Vans are normally done over a pit, also may have had a tame MOT guy.

My bet is someone in the past who didn't have a C1 sent false info to DVLA to get it downrated.

Yep the guy i bought it from says he bought it because it was under 3500 and he didn't have a c1 ...whether its true or not i don't know . I know that a couple of the mot tests were done by a garage. Taj kwick fit which is also who the van is registered too but the last and current mot was not ...the guy i bought it from was certainly no mechanic. He knew how to get it started again after it broke down but he doesn't have mechanical knowledge as you could tell by how he described things etc.

Someone has obviously lied to DVLA but id have thought proof was required and i don't know what they did to provide that. These vans are over 3.5 tonne just as an empty van ....the one i had previously was 3850 with no floor in it and all the boot area cut out etc.

This one will be lighter as it has a smaller rear axle, no air brakes etc only 16" wheels ...so possibly 3700kg unladen probably around 4.5t as its sitting now

 

[Dutch 68]

Yes thats why im unsure what van is best for the future. Everything is a compromise somewhere. I know for instance that some of the dirt tracks ive ventured down this motorhome would not go ... And as yet im not sure how much that matters to me. This van is very comfortable etc and tonnes of storage space but its big and cumbersome.

Thats why for now im undecided...ill do this winter trip and see how i get on with it.

Just keep them both then lol, most of the year enjoy the much bigger living space, then for special trips use the merc, with the much more restricted space, job jobbed

 

[Northernraider]

Just keep them both then lol, most of the year enjoy the much bigger living space, then for special trips use the merc, with the much more restricted space, job jobbed

That has crossed my mind

 

[monzer]

Where's your winter plans at so far? Still going to Spain?

 

[Northernraider]

Where's your winter plans at so far? Still going to Spain?

Yeah Ireland first , arrive in Belfast 15th September. Then over to Spain end if November. If i get the dogs tests done i might do Morocco for a month or 2 then back to spain for 5/6 weeks and home end of march

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[monzer]

Yeah Ireland first , arrive in Belfast 15th September. Then over to Spain end if November. If i get the dogs tests done i might do Morocco for a month or 2 then back to spain for 5/6 weeks and home end of march

Might cross paths at some point. I'm over December/January. Although I will be in one of your least favourite parts of Spain for a bit!

 

[Northernraider]

Might cross paths at some point. I'm over December/January. Although I will be in one of your least favourite parts of Spain for a bit!

Where is that?

 

[G-RMPS]

We're going to be at Denia, north of Benidorm in Jan/Feb if you're passing...

 

[monzer]

Where is that?

Benidorm. Not staying too long there though.

 

[KiwiKampers]

Benidorm - I barely stayed long enough to have an ice cream. Couldn't wait to get out of there. It doesn't do it for me but perhaps I should give it another chance. It's probably improved since 1995.

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[Mr porky]

Benidorm - I barely stayed long enough to have an ice cream. Couldn't wait to get out of there. It doesn't do it for me but perhaps I should give it another chance. It's probably improved since 1995.

It hasn't, if anything it's looking a little shabby.
We still love to do a few days there though if we are passing (my guilty pleasure sssshhhhh)

 

[Lenny HB]

Benidorm - I barely stayed long enough to have an ice cream. Couldn't wait to get out of there. It doesn't do it for me but perhaps I should give it another chance. It's probably improved since 1995.

We managed to survive 4 or 5 hours there in April not a place we ever want to go back to.

 

[Gina M]

We managed to survive 4 or 5 hours there in April not a place we ever want to go back to.

25 year old me, Yes. Now NO !!!

Gina

 

[Northernraider]

My first time in benidorm in 2018 i managed only an hour or 2 , i parked the van unloaded the scooter and had a look around. It was mostly brits whining at kids , mobility scooters , McDonald's, cheap English breakfasts , cheap drink ...i thought it looked dirty noisy and run down and i got out fast .

In 2019 i felt i maybe judged it too quick so i went back and i stayed overnight ...it was just the same although first thing in the morning it is even worse ...puke amd pee on the areas down near the beach etc and still lots of whiny folk whinging at kids ...


Its not my kind of place. I can see why folk go , cheap booze holidays with british food , and lots of other brits to keep company but it certainly doesnt give an idea of Spain and i wouldn't rush back.

 

[Lesanda]

25 year old me, Yes. Now NO !!!

Gina

Sorry Gina, not then not now for me, although they wouldn't get rich out of us there are millions of others who will go and have a great time. I'm sure I wouldn't want those people at the places I like either though, so it's horses for courses.

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[Gina M]

Sorry Gina, not then not now for me, although they wouldn't get rich out of us there are millions of others who will go and have a great time. I'm sure I wouldn't want those people at the places I like either though, so it's horses for courses.

I hated it the last time I was there, think I was in my late thirties though. At night the place was full of young boys and girls all off their faces but it was always quiet in the day as they pretty much stayed in bed all day

Gina

 

[Lesanda]

I hated it the last time I was there, think I was in my late thirties though. At night the place was full of young boys and girls all off their faces but it was always quiet in the day as they pretty much stayed in bed all day

Gina

We stayed down the coast in 2018, and decided to have a look and see what the fuss was about. It was packed with leather skinned Brits three up on mobility scooters "hoovering" up any pedestrians that happened to think they had a right to be on the pavement. And very much as described by Tam. And this was in the middle of January, God knows what it's like in Summer.

 

[Gina M]

We stayed down the coast in 2018, and decided to have a look and see what the fuss was about. It was packed with leather skinned Brits three up on mobility scooters "hoovering" up any pedestrians that happened to think they had a right to be on the pavement. And very much as described by Tam. And this was in the middle of January, God knows what it's like in Summer.

Youth is wasted on the young

Gina

 

[Mr porky]

My first time in benidorm in 2018 i managed only an hour or 2 , i parked the van unloaded the scooter and had a look around. It was mostly brits whining at kids , mobility scooters , McDonald's, cheap English breakfasts , cheap drink ...i thought it looked dirty noisy and run down and i got out fast .

In 2019 i felt i maybe judged it too quick so i went back and i stayed overnight ...it was just the same although first thing in the morning it is even worse ...puke amd pee on the areas down near the beach etc and still lots of whiny folk whinging at kids ...


Its not my kind of place. I can see why folk go , cheap booze holidays with british food , and lots of other brits to keep company but it certainly doesnt give an idea of Spain and i wouldn't rush back.

Myself and Phil have a extra reason to go to benidorm in that it has a smattering of gay bars in the old town, added to the fact that these are next to tapas alley which although a bit more expensive than other parts of Spain they do have a a more expansive selection.

 

[chaser]

Myself and Phil have a extra reason to go to benidorm in that it has a smattering of gay bars in the old town, added to the fact that these are next to tapas alley which although a bit more expensive than other parts of Spain they do have a a more expansive selection.

I often wonder if the people who don't like benidorm have ever been to the old town, totally different place.

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[Lenny HB]

I often wonder if the people who don't like benidorm have ever been to the old town, totally different place.

Compared to other old towns in Spain it's rubbish.

 

[chaser]

Compared to other old towns in Spain it's rubbish.

Granted, was just meaning it's not all the same.

 

[Gina M]

Myself and Phil have a extra reason to go to benidorm in that it has a smattering of gay bars in the old town, added to the fact that these are next to tapas alley which although a bit more expensive than other parts of Spain they do have a a more expansive selection.

We always used to seek out the Tapas bars no fish and chips in Spain thank you very much. I used to always order I think it was called Gambas pil pil (don't laugh) but basically Prawns in a garlic and tomato sauce

Gina

 

[chaser]

There is a Thai restaurant just up from dove square in a little street on the left, best Thai I have ever had and the waitress can't do enough for you, bringing out free stuff to try and that, brilliant.

 

[appydaze]

There is a Thai restaurant just up from dove square in a little street on the left, best Thai I have ever had and the waitress can't do enough for you, bringing out free stuff to try and that, brilliant.

have you got her number....

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