Van conversion

Lorne Malvo · 03-09-2020 12:51pm

atahuapla wrote: »

Besides the insurance problems, I hear that the CVRT can refuse to test your vehicle if it's kitted out as a camper too.

They couldn't refuse it with just bare carpet in the back though?

And windows?

Buford T Justice · 03-09-2020 1:02pm

atahuapla wrote: »

Besides the insurance problems, I hear that the CVRT can refuse to test your vehicle if it's kitted out as a camper too.

They're the ones that test these vehicles

Lorne Malvo · 03-09-2020 1:06pm

Buford T Justice wrote: »

They're the ones that test these vehicles

He/she means they wont test it if its taxed as a commercial and kitted out in the back.

Padre_Pio · 03-09-2020 1:13pm

atahuapla wrote: »

Besides the insurance problems, I hear that the CVRT can refuse to test your vehicle if it's kitted out as a camper too.

Mine is a stealth camper, though you'd notice the solar panel, rooflights, and shore power socket on the side. Ran through the CVRT no problems. No questions asked.

Lorne Malvo wrote: »

He/she means they wont test it if its taxed as a commercial and kitted out in the back.

You don't need tax to CVRT.

Lorne Malvo · 03-09-2020 1:14pm

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Mine is a stealth camper, though you'd notice the solar panel, rooflights, and shore power socket on the side. Ran through the CVRT no problems. No questions asked.

You don't need tax to CVRT.

Do you have side windows though?

Padre_Pio · 03-09-2020 3:10pm

Lorne Malvo wrote: »

Do you have side windows though?

I do not.

nophd08 · 03-09-2020 3:51pm

Padre_Pio wrote: »

I do not.

I thought a minimum of one side window was part of the requirement for classification? Maybe I'm wrong?

Buford T Justice · 03-09-2020 4:56pm

nophd08 wrote: »

I thought a minimum of one side window was part of the requirement for classification? Maybe I'm wrong?

Its in the guidelines as "expected" - interpret that at your will

It is expected that the living accommodation space in the rear compartment would have side windows. Where cooking is by means of gas, a Gas Installer Certificate should also be available.

textexas · 04-01-2021 1:06pm

Hi all just wondering about a certain section of the revenue page on campers.

"Vehicles are 'day vans' and do not qualify as motor caravans if the modifications do not sufficiently alter the interior of the rear compartment.

Likewise, vehicles are 'day vans' if they only modify the boot storage area to provide exterior access to cooking facilities. Revenue will not accept a candidate in which the living facilities are reasonably accessible only from outside the vehicle."

So this means if I do not fulfil all the requirements it would be classed as a 'Day Van'?

What would the cons be of the van being classed as a Day Van rather than a Motor Caravan?

Padre_Pio · 04-01-2021 1:17pm

textexas wrote: »

What would the cons be of the van being classed as a Day Van rather than a Motor Caravan?

There is no category for "Day Van", so it's still a regular car or van for insurance, NCT/DOE and tax purposes.

Tpcl20 · 04-01-2021 4:43pm

Two questions. Do you need a different category of licence for driving a camper van than a regular car licence, and if so, are they currently testing does anyone know? Should probably mention it's a converted Renault Master.

https://ndls.rsa.ie/

Lmao the online application for tests is broken. I've also been on hold trying to get a mygov account up and running for half an hour now.

04-01-2021 5:32pm

Amazing how bad the RSA are for all the money we give them.

I love the way you have to go online to pay for the practical driver theory test digital content to be posted to you days later on an optical disc they used to use in the 90s.

They cancelled my Truck driving test because the didn't expect me to pass the theory test so fast and couldn't get the license printed on a card in time or let me sit the test without the card. That was February...they still have my money and I've not sat any test.

The licence is standard btw. 3.5ton if the vehicle is 3.5ton, 7.5ton if the vehicle is 7.5ton etc..

Padre_Pio · 04-01-2021 5:48pm

Tpcl20 wrote: »

Two questions. Do you need a different category of licence for driving a camper van than a regular car licence, and if so, are they currently testing does anyone know? Should probably mention it's a converted Renault Master.

https://ndls.rsa.ie/

Lmao the online application for tests is broken. I've also been on hold trying to get a mygov account up and running for half an hour now.

No. License depends on vehicle gross weight, so under 3.5 tonnes is fine on your standard license. Above that is a C license (or a CE)
The Master is a rated for 3.5 tonnes.

Remember, this 3.5 tonnes includes you, the fuel and everything else, keep a mind on weight during your conversion.

04-01-2021 5:51pm

It's still a B license if you overload the chassis having a C won't help you.

Padre_Pio · 04-01-2021 6:07pm

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

It's still a B license if you overload the chassis having a C won't help you.

Yes, thanks for the clarification.

The vehicle is rated to weigh no more than 3.5 tonnes.
If you're caught weighing more, then you can get a fine, court summons, or the Gardai or whoever can take it off you.

Just keep an eye on what's going into the van. Proper campers have balsa wood kitchens and plenty of plastic to keep them light.

You can buy 7.5 ton vans, they usually have dual wheels at the back, but then you need to get the C license. You can also get your van uprated, but that's more hassle than it's worth.

04-01-2021 10:34pm

I've a 12mm birch ply kitchen. I would not be inclined to think balsa is proper. I'd reduce the size of the holding tanks, use composite material or get a vehicle with a higher payload if it's that tight.

Box body LGVs are notorious for overloading. 3 ton kerb weight unladen. They're overweight as soon as you load them.

redarmyblues · 23-01-2021 9:23pm

Does anybody know the story with having an Errigal kit in use, they can be assembled and disassembled in 20 minutes according to the website?

Padre_Pio · 24-01-2021 4:43pm

redarmyblues wrote: »

Does anybody know the story with having an Errigal kit in use, they can be assembled and disassembled in 20 minutes according to the website?

Does it satisfy this:

It should be noted that this equipment must be rigidly fixed in the living compartment;

24-01-2021 8:52pm

Without looking at the product, anything with 2 screws in it fulfils that mandate.

spaceHopper · 25-01-2021 12:05pm

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Does it satisfy this:

They do several kits, the basic one that pops into the back of small van would not qualify, the large kit that is installed and properly fixed to the van would. You might get it passed the tax but the insurance company will want photos and won't touch it. That would leave you in limbo

Van conversion

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