Van Weight Engineering - Up-plating

[Guzziando]

I just had my Fiat Ducato motorhome (van conversion) MOT'd. They also weighed it, it was 3460kg, leaving me 40kg to play with. This was without water or a passenger! I contacted Van Weight Engineering, and received the following reply:



Can anyone recommend a good value alternative engineering service I could use?

 

[bigtree]

I know of one van that he uprated beyond the maximum limit set by Fiat and Alko and it was a Funsters.

 

[1967bowesj]

I know of one van that he uprated beyond the maximum limit set by Fiat and Alko and it was a Funsters.

That must be some input error on his calculation sheet and not noticed surely!!

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Spoke to them last week price is still the same as when I uprated a van in 2014.

Yes, I was surprised that the fee was about the same as when I uprated the Pilote 10 years ago. We are in the queue at the moment; I spoke with them 2 days ago

 

[VXman]

Perhaps they meant test each model, not each vehicle

I'd be very surprised if they actually could do that. I suggest some generic testing over a long time

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[Guzziando]

I received an email this morning explaining the situation. The question is, do I wait, or contact SV Tech? I do need my van up-plating, and with no date of when they will be reapproved, it is a difficult one to call.

 

[1967bowesj]

I received an email this morning explaining the situation. The question is, do I wait, or contact SV Tech? I do need my van up-plating, and with no date of when they will be reapproved, it is a difficult one to call.
View attachment 941810

The email doesnt say the month for the date Dee quotes of 22nd.
Strange that an accredited and verified process is now questioned and made to go through another audit to be accredited, surely the first question to DVSA would be what time frame are we looking at as this is my income we are suspending here?
On other threads going back some time vwe had been suspended so it must be nearing finalisation for the audit

 

[Wombles]

Hope that VWE are back up & running soon - it was great to have the choice, not just one company having the monopoly, as sure that the competition helped keep the prices down for all.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I received an email this morning explaining the situation. The question is, do I wait, or contact SV Tech? I do need my van up-plating, and with no date of when they will be reapproved, it is a difficult one to call.
View attachment 941810

1. Decide if you "need" your van up-plating - I would suggest you pack as if going on a trip, and take it to a weighbridge. With water, fuel and passenger. Only then can you make an informed decision.
For me it was a no brainer, I was so close to the limit, it meant I had to take something out to put something in. Or even giving a lift to a passenger.
I was comfortable with the mechanical capabilities of a slightly overweight van, and the allowances given if stopped in the UK.
But even so, I thought being on the right side of the law was worth it. And I suspect the cheaper tax has paid for it over the last seven years.

2. SVTech or VWE. Is it worth the few extra quid to wait to see if/when VWE gets recertified?
DVLA aren't known for their rapid decision making.
How long is the SVTech queue? Will it get longer if VWE's recertification takes awhile?
Mention has been made about SVTech's prices not going up - will they now?

 

[PaulW2]

Hope that VWE are back up & running soon - it was great to have the choice, not just one company having the monopoly, as sure that the competition helped keep the prices down for all.

Competition that keeps prices too low does of course also have the effect of causing some competitors to fall by the wayside!

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[1967bowesj]

1. Decide if you "need" your van up-plating - I would suggest you pack as if going on a trip, and take it to a weighbridge. With water, fuel and passenger. Only then can you make an informed decision.
For me it was a no brainer, I was so close to the limit, it meant I had to take something out to put something in. Or even giving a lift to a passenger.
I was comfortable with the mechanical capabilities of a slightly overweight van, and the allowances given if stopped in the UK.
But even so, I thought being on the right side of the law was worth it. And I suspect the cheaper tax has paid for it over the last seven years.

2. SVTech or VWE. Is it worth the few extra quid to wait to see if/when VWE gets recertified?
DVLA aren't known for their rapid decision making.
How long is the SVTech queue? Will it get longer if VWE's recertification takes awhile?
Mention has been made about SVTech's prices not going up - will they now?

From other threads this issue fir vwe would seem to go back to late June or possibly early July. Cannot find the thread that had a rejection letter from DVLA ref VWE

 

[Guzziando]

From other threads this issue fir vwe would seem to go back to late June or possibly early July. Cannot find the thread that had a rejection letter from DVLA ref VWE

I had a quick look, this was one of the posts:

 

[Guzziando]

1. Decide if you "need" your van up-plating - I would suggest you pack as if going on a trip, and take it to a weighbridge. With water, fuel and passenger. Only then can you make an informed decision.
For me it was a no brainer, I was so close to the limit, it meant I had to take something out to put something in. Or even giving a lift to a passenger.
I was comfortable with the mechanical capabilities of a slightly overweight van, and the allowances given if stopped in the UK.
But even so, I thought being on the right side of the law was worth it. And I suspect the cheaper tax has paid for it over the last seven years.

2. SVTech or VWE. Is it worth the few extra quid to wait to see if/when VWE gets recertified?
DVLA aren't known for their rapid decision making.
How long is the SVTech queue? Will it get longer if VWE's recertification takes awhile?
Mention has been made about SVTech's prices not going up - will they now?

Thank you, this is sensible advice, and have contacted SV Tech, although there automatic reply email states that it could take up to 10 days for a reply. I suspect that they will be very busy, as they are the only game in town! If VWE get sorted, then I can always go back with them, as Dee has said I am "top of the list". When I got my van weighed, I had it full of the stuff I usually take away with me, as I leave the van packed for fear of forgetting anything. If I leave my wife at home, and do not carry water, I will be under the weight limit! Is there any leeway on being over weight, I heard somewhere that 5% was permissible?

 

[bigtree]

That must be some input error on his calculation sheet and not noticed surely!!

It was the exact same van as mine, he had uprated it to 5t but said I could only go to 4.8t. Messed me about for weeks after I had provided him with all the information he required, had to end up going to SV Tech as needed it done before my Euro tour.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I heard somewhere that 5% was permissible?

Yes, in the UK, the inspectors have the authority to grant 5% overweight allowance before issuing a fine, but it's not guaranteed. Expected & published in the guidance but final say will be with the inspector on the day.
Also you probably won't be allowed to continue your journey until your van is below limits.
Also, I have no knowledge if a similar allowance is made in Europe.

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[MichaelT]

I was the exact same van as mine, he had uprated it to 5t but said I could only go to 4.8t. Messed me about for weeks after I had provided him with all the information he required, had to end up going to SV Tech as needed it done before my Euro tour.

So was the limit 4.8t or 5t?

 

[bigtree]

So was the limit 4.8t or 5t?

The maximum for a Carthago chic eline i50 Yachting is 4.8t.

 

[1967bowesj]

I had a quick look, this was one of the posts:

View attachment 941820

Think she posted a copy of the letter too

 

[1967bowesj]

It was the exact same van as mine, he had uprated it to 5t but said I could only go to 4.8t. Messed me about for weeks after I had provided him with all the information he required, had to end up going to SV Tech as needed it done before my Euro tour.

Must admit and only speaking from my own dealings VWE we’re not at all helpful when I uplated my Ducato based Autocruise from 2007 year.
Messed me around for over two weeks with emails back and forth.
Went to svtech and process was done in about 7 days.
Didn’t fill me with confidence for the work for VWE, others will no doubt say differently

 

[Langtoftlad]

Emirates vs Ryanair ???
Both will get you to your destination

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[MichaelT]

Emirates vs Ryanair ???
Both will get you to your destination

Unless you've been grounded

 

[Langtoftlad]

Unless you've been grounded

Even then, how a premium airline looks after you vs a budget one

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I doubt they mean they test every single vehicle, maybe just one of each type is enough.. Ie 1 x Fiat light chassis, 1 x Fiat heavy chassis, 1 x Alko etc.

I have used both SV tech and VWE in the past.. Price was the factor on the last occassion as both gave the same recommendation.

Ditto for me as well.
Mike.

 

[Headrush]

I used svtech and it cost £260 + VAT.
Not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things. People pay that for one tyre sometimes.

 

[Guzziando]

I received my application form from SVT, completed and returned. Let's see how long it takes to get processed.

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[bigtree]

Must admit and only speaking from my own dealings VWE we’re not at all helpful when I uplated my Ducato based Autocruise from 2007 year.
Messed me around for over two weeks with emails back and forth.
Went to svtech and process was done in about 7 days.
Didn’t fill me with confidence for the work for VWE, others will no doubt say differently

Glad it wasn’t just me then, his sidekick even suggested I use SV Tech.

 

[slowdriver]

Competition that keeps prices too low does of course also have the effect of causing some competitors to fall by the wayside!

I don't think there is any suggestion in that email that competitive pricing is the cause of VWE suspending, hopefully temporarily, their services. If it had been simply a question of pricing and by implication insufficient margins, then they could have addressed that pretty simply by increasing their prices especially given that they are the cheaper of the two providers. Having used both services I'd say that SV TEch was fine, and not too pricey, whereas VWE offered a more personal, cheaper, faster and more detailed service. Therefore I would choose them again if I needed to, based on service quality and price. You also get more for your money in terms of information about the down/up plating process, and the intricacies of how to get any road fund licence refund quickly into your back pocket.

 

[bigtree]

I don't think there is any suggestion in that email that competitive pricing is the cause of VWE suspending, hopefully temporarily, their services. If it had been simply a question of pricing and by implication insufficient margins, then they could have addressed that pretty simply by increasing their prices especially given that they are the cheaper of the two providers. Having used both services I'd say that SV TEch was fine, and not too pricey, whereas VWE offered a more personal, cheaper, faster and more detailed service. Therefore I would choose them again if I needed to, based on service quality and price. You also get more for your money in terms of information about the down/up plating process, and the intricacies of how to get any road fund licence refund quickly into your back pocket.

I didn’t, hardly faster and will never attempt to use them ever again.

 

[dunnah01]

I thought you could up-plate to sum of axle weights quite easily without using either VWE or SVT. This might be an option if you can load some stuff at the front.

 

[Guzziando]

I thought you could up-plate to sum of axle weights quite easily without using either VWE or SVT. This might be an option if you can load some stuff at the front.

3960Kg would suit me fine, has anyone done this?

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[MichaelT]

I thought you could up-plate to sum of axle weights quite easily without using either VWE or SVT. This might be an option if you can load some stuff at the front.

No you can't as on my light chassis I had to have rear aircand uprated front springs to go up over 3650. Plus limiting factor is rear axle as its likely to be over 2000.