Van Conversion weight

rambo85

Hi,

I'm thinking about converting a van to a camper but not sure about the weight categorys, I have a 2002 Iveco Daily 35 s11 MWB that weighs 3.5 ton, is this eligible for converting?

Thanks for the help

paddyp

rambo85 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking about converting a van to a camper but not sure about the weight categorys, I have a 2002 Iveco Daily 35 s11 MWB that weighs 3.5 ton, is this eligible for converting?

Thanks for the help

Thats fine for converting if it high roof, seems the insurance companies are being anooying about low roof campers again. Make sure to use the copious amount of space under the floor for your water, wast, batteryies etc.

The weight limitation applies to your driving license qualifications. As long as you remain below the GVW for the vehicle a camper can be as large or heavy as you wish.

rambo85

The GVW of the van is 3500,if I convert to a camper it will weigh more?

What does it weigh now? I added 750kg in payload.

rambo85

The GVW on the log book is 3500?

What's the chassis weight or unladen weight?

rambo85

Kerb weight is 2135 and Gross Payload is 1365

You should be fine so, if it's touch and go for the engineers report you could..ahem...leave the water tanks empty, take out the extra batteries, and drive on a thimbleful of diesel.
You could also use lightweight materials for the conversion. I went nuts with 12mm ply-lining. 6mm would be fine.

rambo85

Ok thanks for the help, was planning on using 6mm ply anyway

cheers

Best of luck.

rambo85

Sorry just one more question, If the weight is below 3000 kg I have to pay 13.5 % vrt? and what rate is it if it's more?

Thanks again

I think that law is gone VRT might be payable on OMSP of every vehicle now...quick search might sort it out.

Word of caution there's not too many weigh-bridges in Éire so they're not so big on roadside checks but if you get caught being overweight on the mainland (Europe) they'll confiscate the vehicle.

rambo85

Ok thanks, I'll call into the vro office tomorrow for a chat

enjoy the weather!!

Might haveta...gave up trying to mix body-filler 2 hours ago...

niloc1951

rambo85 wrote: »

Sorry just one more question, If the weight is below 3000 kg I have to pay 13.5 % vrt? and what rate is it if it's more?

Thanks again

Get it VRT'd as soon as there is enough work done for it to qualify as a motor caravan. That way the OMSP will be less which will lead to the 13.5% of OMSP VRT being less.
You can add the bells and whistles later.

paddyp

rambo85 wrote: »

Ok thanks for the help, was planning on using 6mm ply anyway

cheers

The weight limit is gone you won't be anywhere near 3 ton in a van that sizea anyway, believe me I calculated making everything out of 3/4" mdf and putting in about 8 batteries and I was still about 350kg short. A local guy here had an xlwb sprinter converted and still needed 4 or 5 rolls of lead to get over.

If you're using 6mm ply I'd advise pre varnishing the sheets with a thinned acrylic varnish to stop it absorbing moisture, getting mouldy and inhibit spread of surface flame. It takes a lot less time to paint the sheets than to do all the individual bits after their cut.

paddyp

paddyp wrote: »

If you're using 6mm ply I'd advise pre varnishing the sheets with a thinned acrylic varnish to stop it absorbing moisture, getting mouldy and inhibit spread of surface flame.

Second that...both sides. I've half the ceiling to replace because of condensation between the roof. Prefer linseed oil myself...although I don't think it's renowned for fire-proofing.

8 batteries!?! All 12volt? What are you running in there Paddy? Jacuzzi? Portable welder?

paddyp

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

8 batteries!?! All 12volt? What are you running in there Paddy? Jacuzzi? Portable welder?

They're not in the van it was just for the weight when i was trying to figure out if I could get over the 3 ton. They were ex ericsson ups batteries that get written off after a few years - about 36kg each agm. After 8-12 months idle they were between 12.6v and 12.9V impressive.

I suspected as much. Not as exciting as I hoped though.
There's a awful lot of good batteries cast away by public buildings (Emergency maintained lighting) and public works (Tunnel telephones, etc.), most of them are never used they're just old. They're a great source to look out for.