Are you breaking the law? Is your VW Transporter Camper Van illegal?
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Are you breaking the law? Is your VW Transporter Camper Van illegal?
There are several aspects of your van that would be illegal (More to come in future videos)
You must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Your alloy wheels and tyres must be correctly load rated
You must ensure that loads carried are secure. Pack your camper van correctly and safely. Loose luggage could become missiles and seriously hurt the driver or passengers, it could even pose a threat to other road users.
You can check the weight of your van here www.gov.uk/find-weighbridge
An overweight van can put additional strain on the engine and transmission, increase fuel consumption and affect the characteristics of the van. Acceleration, breaking and steering can be negatively be affected.
Not following the correct legislation could result in you being in trouble with the law, VOSA or worse still, an accident.
The end of the video shows how you could be in an ambulance rather than a police car. Don't do it.
Stay safe and don't break the law
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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.
The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along nicely.
I bought a VW Transporter T6 Kombi Highline van 140bhp diesel SWB with tailgate.
Slowly turning it into a camper van / day van with bed. I will also need something for cooking, cooling, sleeping, drinking ?? Choices to be made.
I have lots more to do though, I have a new electrical system, using Victron components and a Lithium LIFEPO4 battery, so I obviously need to install some power devices. I have a new sound system, with Focal speakers and ibus 2.1 amp, Playstation PS4, which will be removable, TV's on headrests.
Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Please do let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Vanlife for me is just beginning, it's a great adventure and I'm loving it. 😍
There are many great camper adventures to come
Thanks must go to the following:
titantransporters.co.uk - Sourcing my van, providing advice and soon a paint correction and detail
tamarcaravancentre.co.uk - Advising me with many of my leisure equipment purchases, including my Thetford toilet
www.dream-ice.co.uk - Quality advise on my sound system upgrade
plyworxuk.co.uk - Suppliers of my Halo roof and ply products
www.batteriesandsolar.co.uk - 1st class advice and guidance on my electrical system install
stitchesandsteel.com - Seat covers, carpet, roof straps, changing mat
Transporter HQ for my tailgate struts
Kiravans for my Swivel Seats
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Having managed fleets of vans and trailers, and as a result had a number of ‘meetings’ with what was VOSA this video is superb. The number of people out there who either don’t know or don’t care is astounding. And you didn’t even touch on trailers… 😱
I think a lot don’t know, unfortunately. As for the companies fitting incorrect rated wheels and tyres, a disgrace. Hope you have dash cams/camera systems on the fleets you manage, I have personally had clients hugely benefit from them, proving liability in claims 👍
Just come across this and I’m impressed with the tech info as so many people dismiss the obvious when converting a van
One thing not mentioned here is suspension modifications. When you lift or lower your suspension. You needs to make sure the springs are correctly load rated and with the correct test approvals for your vehicle.
So many things to be aware of with these conversions , i work at a VWC dealer and see so many conversions, some amazing ones and some horrendous ones too , seen some dangerous stuff !
I had two tyres replaced and I picked the wrong ones. The tyre fitter arrived and wouldn't fit them because they where the wrong rating. Thankfully they swapped them for the corrected rated at no extra cost.
I learned something that day.
That’s a good tyre fitter. It’s crazy how many incorrectly rated tyres are fitted
@@StaycationLifestyleI once went to a tyre place for my car and they fitted tyres with a lower speed rating than the manufacturer specs. When I pointed out their error they replied “aww yeah mate it’s not a problem” uh yes it is. You’ve just made my car unroadworthy.
Needless to say, I didn’t go back there again.
Quite surprised that the wheel and tyre load rating isn't something that is checked on an MOT
Brilliant, well-presented info! It amazes me that people don't understand that whatever speed WE are travelling at, then all the objects in the car at travelling at the same speed! If you slam the brakes on and drop suddenly from say 50 to zero - safe because of your seat-belt - guess what happens to the dog/kettle/cat or stuffed moose head that was in the back seat unrestrained BEHIND YOUR HEAD and also travelling at 50mph?!
Thank you. Yes it’s crazy. People just don’t think 🤷🏻♂️
I had no clue about most of this - thank you. I bought mine ready converted but looking back it wasn’t the best conversion and the dealer didn’t mention anything about weight.
Glad I helped. The weight is often overlooked. A lot of the common equipment we take out with us can soon add up
As a retired Traffic officer I dealt with this sort of issue a lot. I always recommended for campers and all commercial vehicle owners to load their vehicle with ALL normal items ,tools etc they carry every day including a FULL tank of fuel, take it to a public weigh bridge, preferably, pre arranged and get a weight then deduct that from its Gross that gives you a carrying capacity. there is a defence in law if stopped if you are en-route to a weigh bridge as long as its not on the other side of the country !!!!
Excellent advice. I have in fact done this with each van that I have owned, soon after purchase.
Most large farms have weigh-bridges and scrapyards so easy to do your self 👍🏻
@@HeidiGelling Why WOULD they tell you though. Informing you properly as is their job to do so (this applies in all aspects of life) would mean people don't break these rules/laws/regulations and the money pit that is traffic offenses dries up.
@@HeidiGellingit is your responsibility as the driver to make sure you are carrying a safe load, government does tell you, it's in the highway code, and there is loads of info on the .gov website.
Its just another excuse for revenue collection by the private company Police, Vosa, Courts and the DVSA and DVLA Lol
Great video.....sadly most who don't watch it to the end are beyond such critical advice evidenced by the majority of Vanlife videos on CZcams....thanks for focusing on what's truly important for ALL road users
Thank you. I saw someone’s advice on a forum today to help secure items whilst travelling. The advise was to use a non slip mat 🫣
You also need to mention those that convert panel vans into campers need to inform DVLA / insurance about number of seats inc driver has changed. For Reference my 2022 T6.1 Kombi 150 T30 Startline with options is 2113kg - So my add load would be 887kg
Excellent video. first thing i did after I converted my Vivaro was take it to a weigh bridge fully loaded. Luckily it was under.
GREAT advice all the way through your extremely helpful vdo ! ! ! Perhaps a good idea also to mention that the very best Accident Investigators don't work for Scotland Yard or the FBI, but they DO work for the big Insurance Companies. - And it is their job to find legal reasons to NOT PAY OUT to the insureds after an accident.
So failure to comply with any of the items mentioned in this VDO could be very expensive indeed, because the Insurance money will NEVER arrive !
Having weighed many vehicles over the years on weighbridges, axle weighers , in a previous incarnation, I watch these videos of people self building their vans, I think how much does that all weigh? Cookers, microwaves, cladding, beds, sideboards, etc etc. Put on top of that yourselves, your fuel, water supplies, the rear axles must be creaking. Thanks for highlighting this.
That’s right. Those items certainly add up. Definitely worth spending a tenner (ish) to fully load up and go and have it checked
Great video. We tow a caravan so are really aware of weights and loading. Have watched quite a few van conversion videos with horror. Don't think weight considerations are ever mentioned when building the beds and cupboards.
Great video, experienced this myself when i bought my T4 with Audi tyres and rims on, three out of 4 tyres split open like kebabs, had the fright of my life when i went to the tyre fitters, the day before i had been travelling on the motorway. at the time i didn't realise about vans and extra load tyres.
I had been debating buying new tires and luckily learned that the ones I bought the van with from the previous owner were not load rated. Feeling a bit safer now, but still need to replace the spare, which is original (1994 Eurovan) 😮
So to recap on van weight. Make sure all the fluids under the bonnet are full, fuel tank and Adblue are full and water tanks etc. Do a pretend trip as in your your packed and ready to go, everyone is in the van including pets, food & everything, then take a trip to the Weigh Bridge. Get front axle weight and then rear and then total weight. Don't forget being under your total weight still might mean a axle could be over weight. Great video btw.
Hi, good video telling so much everyone should know. I was involved in a serious accident which resulted in me having broken bones, all from the load shifting. Take scrap to the local dealer to get your van weighed for free.
Excellent information and advice.
Great video, but would also add, if anyone is changing the tyre size, it needs to be the same circumference as the original fitted tyre as the odometer is calibrated for that size.
also i had alloy wheels lowered on my t4 .hitting various potholes on my daily travels wrecked the wheels one had crack in it so went back to standard wheels comfier ride too .still on road today my trusty t4 2.5tdi.340000 miles 1999 model .
Really good advice,
Thank You
OMG Great video, you cover all my gripes I see all so often !
Thank you 😄 So many people just brush these off and not care
Great that you make people aware that as they are driving a commercial vehicle they can be stopped by VOSA. If you think MOT testers are bad the VOSA people will be your worst nightmare, they apply the rules correctly and rigidly, whether you are in a van or an articulated truck if you have a defect action will be taken, had a prohibition order put on for a cracked mirror and we didn't move until the mirror was replaced...no argument.
Rightly so in many regards (VOSA being strict). Vehicles must be safe, I can see the mirror issue from both sides 😉 but does seem harsh.
Don’t believe you
@@user-xg9lg8yd6x yeah unfortunately you should, it was in a 10 tonne Volvo lorry and we got stopped near Dundee. Cracked nearside mirror which apparently meant that vision was seriously affected on the nearside and we wouldn't be able to accurately return to lane after passing another vehicle. Dangerous defect....prohibition order.
I have just watched this video. I have a Ford Transit, and I decided to try and do some courier work and I had all proper insurances. The first thing before I even started was, to go to a local weigh bridge fully stocked up ie full fuel ratchet straps and blankets. Myself plus extra 3 X 10 litre cans of emergency fuel. I then knew my unladen weight for a 2.8 tonne van, and I found the carrying I could carry was 700kg max to stay under the 2800kg limit. Now subscribed. Looking at getting a motorhome, and I will stock everything up then go on a weigh bridge with myself for safety, then I will know how much extra weight I can carry safely.
I have done courier type jobs in the past, all the firms I worked for treated staff badly, sending van's out filled from floor to ceiling, clearly over loaded. One driver got caught, he got points and a fine plus the firm had to pay 5k. They still risked sending van's out overloaded though.
Well advised, same goes for caravans and packing them with allsorts and placing the weight at the rear etc and high up, very dangerous 👍
Great Vid, some good advice there, another one to remember if you van is only registered to have 3 Seat's which is normal for a van unless you change this and have it tested you can only carry 3 passengers in the front of your van.
Another good point. There are many other videos I can and am doing on this subject. Watch this space 😀
I believe you can carry more people in the back even with the bulk head removed without changing the logbook, but insurance must know about it. And the law states that the driver have the responsibility to ensure that in an event of an accident, the seats are safe and wont come out.
Things people forget. Most peoples driving licence 3.5tons. Weight limit also on some car parks. Sign on outside of van showing where gas bottles are. Also that you are carrying gas. Stealth vans don't. Watch out Car Parks means CARS. They can move you on. Also depends on van. Side lights need to be on all night on lay byes. Look it up not all lay byes. Cheers from old George great video by the way. Ps forgot to mention. On some vans, vehicles you are not allowed to change a wheel by yourself side of road. If you get a puncture.
The thing is you could buy a veichle that hasnt got the correct wheels and tyres on and who is going to know unless you know about these things.
That’s exactly one of the reasons I spoke about it. Just trying to help 👍🏼
I couldn't fit my frame in here, but mk7 transit, wide steel wheels (rare to find or just make) remapped 2.2 tdci, completely gutted and remade to a personal home, I wonder if I should change springs etc as it's still overall weight is 1.6 tons out of 2.8 and it's a beautiful camper and a track van...
Those handcuffs look really good on you.
🤣
That's a personal thing and nothing to do with his video. He just forgot to take them off.
As a truck drive of many years the situations I seen are normally things everywhere, bloody everywhere, and often dead people in or flung out of vehicles.
Horrible to see and it’s not difficult to prevent it. Just a little thought required
I once!! went on a camping trip with friends. After an incident with an improperly secured carving knife that narrowly missed all of us after a sudden stop, we pulled over and repacked the entire thing properly. Initially packed by the owner of the camper with assurances it had been done properly. None of us ever did go with them again. So, yes, pay attention when packing the cutlery and where it's been put... flying knives are no joke.
Scrap yards are generally alot cheaper than weigh stations when it comes to weighing vehicles!
Very good tip. I would hope they are listed to be used by the public 👍
Yeah single plate weigh bridge weighs the whole vehicle. You really need to be aware of axle weights. Vosa weigh each axle. I'm an ex HGV driver and have fallen foul of overloaded individual axles.
Another thing to point out here is that gov website will only list weighbridge that are certified calibrated weighbridge, using scrapyard I would be very cautious of the legitimacy of the tare weight 😂 and also would want to see proof of last calibration to be sure that it will actually give a true reading of the actual real weight. Scrapyard is not a great idea as usually these weighbridge are only used to calculate weight of scrap metals they will be purchasing so more incentive for them to use a dodgy tare weight to start with to make any purchase for them cheaper 🤔 just some food for thought for you 😊
Very good informative video.
Factual advice and well narrated.
Thank you very much
Excellent presentation.
Hi
Loved the video, found it very interesting an informative. Could you enlighten me on the legalities of a RNR bed please...it's a minefield out there?
Thanks Helen
Excellent common sense video. Highlighting the importance of knowing the max weight of your camper. Definitely a good idea to take to a Weightbridge or scales to get the correct weight. Then there’s no guessing. I’ve seen wheels fail before due to poor quality and overloading. A OE quality wheel is expensive because it’s made durable and to a approved standard. Don’t take the risk.
There are Crash Test videos of the dummy with their legs on the dashboard in front of the airbag. The results are impressively bad. Major leg trauma and possible death due to internal bleeding.
Great to explain the importance of wheel and tyre load rating but didn’t explain how to discover a wheel’s load rating… it’s usually stamped on the inside 100/101/102 etc. Also tyre load rating can have 2 numbers such as 103/101 where 103 is when the tyre is on a hub with a single wheel and 101 is for a double. Good rule of thumb is 100= 800kg and each number either side is an increment/decrement of 25kg.
Heh, the usual excuse for non rated alloys is "But I'm not carrying any heavy loads"
But as the supercar clan will tell you "You have to get tyres rated for 250+mph even though the speed limit is 70mph" As you say this is a commercial vehicle and will be inspected to that standard, like I see, when the HGVs getting pulled over.
Absolutely. Saw a van a few months back with shredded tyres, hugely underrated, yet the owner denied that had a factor 🤦🏼♂️
That’s why I always get my wheels from the dealer good deals with Tires by with the van keep the steel wheels for snow tires
Also check registration and which limits it puts on your conversion.
My Berlingo Van is registered as a 'Class 2 van' here in Norway. This means I can't remove or seriously modify the bulkhead behind the front seats. It would suck to have the plates taken on your first outing for such a mistake. So check it.
Vehicles(Vans, Passenger cars) that are permanently converted to a camper van usually requires an updated registration, too. At least it does here.
Setting it up with an Amdro conversion that can be installed or removed in just a few minutes without altering the car, does not.
Weighing the van.
Here in Norway, just about every 'Trafikkstasjon'(Public Roads Department building where they handle licenses and registrations) that has an inspection hall also have weighing equipment outside, free to use. Truckers use them all the time. Campers not so much...
Some of their roadside inspection sites also have weights you can use.
This may be a good idea for anyone on a long trip who may have gone a bit overboard with souvenirs...
Also, the inspectors sometimes single out smaller 'factory built' camper vans in the early summer for weight checks. Because the smaller campers are a bl**dy fraud. They're built on the base of a 'small commercial vehicle' with a max weight of 3.5Tons because a Class B drivers license has that weight limit. And there's hardly any capacity left after you fill the tanks. Some have as little as 150Kg for food and luggage if there's 2 adults in the van. So when a Swedish or German(Both are know to like Norwegian Nature, but not our food prices) mini camper van with a full family and 200Kg of canned food + 2weeks worth of clothes comes swerving along... it's for the good of every other driver that these are pulled over.
Mot stations that have an ATL test lane will also have the facility to weigh the vehicle. They weigh each axle during the brake test to calculate percentage of efficiency.
Good point. I wonder if they would be happy to weigh 🤷🏻♂️
99% of people who put non load rated wheels on they're vans use them as day vans or camper vans,
They will never ever come anywhere near the gross capacity of the the van whether it be t28-t32
Although your a bit silly to put non load rated wheels/tyres on your vehicle it's only really an issue if it's being loaded to its full capacity, IE a builder carrying a pallet of bricks or sand cement etc
You can actually get the log book changed to a lower capacity so you've got more options for wheels & tyres
@@pauldavies7251 A lot won’t get near the gross capacity, so no issue as you say. However if you take a California unladen weight as an example (circa 2525kg) it gives you an idea of the weight of a full conversion. Before adding people, food drink, belongings for a holiday, bikes etc. That’s not including any extra weight for the bigger heavier wheels people could add. The weight can get close to capacity, especially if it’s a T28.
@@pauldavies7251just not true, a couple of 100kg humans, 50kg diesel, 50kg of water, and you are down to 400kg for your interior, bit of luggage and you've gone over.
Useful video thanks
Fantastic video and sage words.
Thank you
Many years ago, I owned a company building camper conversiins on VW LT30 & LT35 vehicles. Our conversions were modular, enabling a refit from 2 to 3 berth on the LT30 and up to 4 berths on the LT35. We worked on the basis of the fittings and tanks/gas etc., being no more than 50% of the permitted load capacity. We designed and planned around manufacturer's AXLE loads, rather than GVW. By doing this, we kept well within the law. Home-converted campers are generally, in my opinion, not compliant with current legislation; my adive would be; take your van to a professional every time. I know it's more expensive, but how can you put a price on life?
If you must do it yourself; make sure that you buy appropriate materials. Cabinets are best made with aluminum sheet over a strong frame. This keeps the weight down and provides a strong unit which can be bolted to the floor and interior side frames.
My curtent method is simple, I use my car, and carry a large pop-up tent. All my ancilliary equipment is carried in 2 storage boxes and it all lives in the boot. You'd be amazed at how much can be safely carried as you travel, and you're usually able to set up almost anywhere. So no restrictions
Hi, some very good points just from safety sense. But wait there is more! Modifications and alterations many nullify your new vehicle warranty and your insurance, just because the roof rack or tow bar manufacturer or suspension wizards tell you its the best thing since sliced bread. Don’t believe them! The vehicle retailer who issued you your warranty, the insurance company who covered you for specific things are the ones who have the last word ( barring the expensive legal system )! Don’t ever try explaining to the police officer after the crash what you didn’t know. I have seen people spend tens of thousands of dollars on four wheel drive vehicles who wrote off hundred thousand dollars on off road accidents! Caravans and camper van people get caught out more times than you can imagine. Be careful out there, there be danger on those corners! Cheers mate, Harera
I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Sweden
Thank you and welcome 😀
Our old 1972 T2 Devon camper had 1" square seat frames where the seat backs could be moved around for forward or rear facing with a table between them for passengers to sit at with no seat belts = no strength in an accident and no seatbelts meandt the forward facing passengers would hit the rear facing ones and both would flatten the seat frames before hitting the bulkhead ...And with the engine cover being the storage at head height at the rear everything would be headed forward at the same time ! ...
And to think , everyone took the rotor arm govenor off and fitted a solid arm for more speed ?....
On Holliday in Germany I passed a stone quarry. Asked of I could weigh my camper, of course.
Cost me nothing but now I know what the thing weights.
That was a good idea and even better you didn’t get charged 👍🏼
regarding the wheels. I'd say 80% of camper vans break the law. I'm sick of commenting on cockwombles on "camper forums" where they put bmw wheels on with wobble bolts etc and when you point out its illegal, the numpties on there come out with the "ive been driving my van for years and nothing went wrong...etc etc" and they are driving with ultra low profile car tyres on bmw style wheels that the need to put plates and wobble bolts on to fit. No wonder FB market is full of camper vanners selling wheels where one or more is cracked and needs repairing.
As for the feet on the dashboard.........seen it too many times and they all know not to do it but they do. They deserve everything that happens
It’s crazy. Even more concerning when it’s the converters themselves who are doing it.
One day the industry will be properly regulated, I hope
Have worked in the fleet tyre management industry for 35 years. Seen so many times, especially when vans are converted to campers and to spruce them up they fit after market wheels with car tyres, not light commercial tyres. Comical when you get asked what is the recommended tyre pressure and you reply there isn’t a recommended pressure as they shouldn’t be on there.
Best I've seen is knives on a magnet on the wall behind the driver, that could make a minor bump exciting!
Yes that’s scary. Not a chance I want to risk that
I remember them days when I used out my feet up on the dashboard whilst my dad was driving. Was much younger back then but since I started to drive (over 10 years now) I’d realised the dangers of certain things I’d done, like not seatbelt in the backseat, or sleeping flat in the back whilst someone’s driving etc and how they could have ended very wrong with just one single move/accident. I’d never thought much about that till now again after seeing this video. It is a massive point a lot of kids need to know early on.
Ha ha, yes there is a lot we did when we were younger, completely unaware of the possible consequences.
We decided against the Roof tent box as these are so heavy up on two rails , and they must be overloaded when 2 or people sleep in. Good points with the campers, you must also check they have been converted properly, and in the event of a roll over would they be protective.
I'm a complete bore about this stuff, but I wouldn't worry about the weight of a roof tent when you are in it, as that's a relatively static load, and when the vehicle is parked. The roof rack load rating is more to do with the impact on handling, and the dynamic load if you hit bumps at speed etc. I guess there may be some dynamic load if you get gymnastic up there, but remember, it's acoustically transparent...
You do however need to be sure that they sit within the load limit for a roof rack for your car/van, including bedding if you plan to leave that in the box.
Errr… it won’t matter if 2 people are sleeping in the tent box.. the vehicle is presumably parked and they were in it as passengers anyway.
It amazes me how you can cut the roof and all its supporting structure out put a pop up roof in and it's legal
@@garethchurton212 I always think that when people take out a factory bulkhead, it's a massive part of the structure, as is the roof, at the very least you'd think there would be some sort of frame welded in to replace.
great video, so in germany the law is taken seriously and when i came to the UK and seen people having 4 different tyres on the for corners of the car i was suprised because H&S is quite high when it comes to other things...
It amazes me how you can cut the roof and it's structure out put a pop up roof in and it's legal
Abit of a random one but my t5.1 got a fiber glass high top does this mean I cannot get a pop to is too much of the roof cut off ?
Great tips 👌
Yup , see loads using bf goodrich all terrain tyres that in most cases not load rated enough
It’s not good. There are loads of unrated wheels also
@@StaycationLifestyle we have cross climate algis bloody ace all year
There are a few good all season tyres and even manufacturers have started to fit them on new vehicles
If you buy after market wheels you also need to tell your insurance company, car or van. it is classed as a modification, if you don't it could invalidate your insurance.
Absolutely right 👍🏼
But not if you fit wheels that available from the vehicle manufacturer as an upgrade when it was new.
You missed the most important thing re the weighbridge . Weigh twice . Both times fully loaded as you mentioned First one whole van Second one just one axle either front or rear. Deduct that weight off the total weight and you then have both axle loadings. You can be within your MIRO but still have a over loaded axle. What about a video showing this being done.
Good point. Yes i have planned to do a video on this very subject. Hopefully coming soon
Just be aware that, if you turn up at a DVSA weighbridge and your van is overloaded, you won't be allowed to leave the facility until the weight has been reduced below the vehicle's GVW.
I didn’t know that. Very helpful, thank you 👍
This was my worry
@@andywoolley2636 As mentioned below, best use a scrap[yard weight bridge, as they won't care if you're over GVW.
Load of rubbish.
People cannot be detained! therefore you could leave but not the vehicle! which after all doe's not belong to you! as you are the registered keeper / not the registered owner.
T26 vans are usually low spec, cheap and attractive for conversion. For Front wheel drive vans lower than T30 should not be used for conversion. For AWD T32 should be used. It is kind of that simple because the basic transporter vans are heavy. They are heavier than the corresponding Ducato/Boxer/Relay vans which are the size larger and come with a 3.3 or 3.5 tonne Gross weight as standard.
Yea they are quite heavy and people will be surprised what their loaded van will actually weigh
Please stop chatting absolute shit, even a T26 is able to carry 800 kilos
A full camper conversion will be around 150-200 so appart from a T26 having 84 or 102 engine there's absolutely no reason you can't use it as a camper,
@@pauldavies7251 I’d be surprised if full conversion is so light, would have thought 200kg would still be light
Hi Very well said , Here in the US we don’t the DOT oversight like your MOT . In the school bus community people are getting denied insurance left and right , all because of others mistakes . Some of the stuff you see in builds is scary and not just with school buses . A large heavy wood stove bolted to the floor just in the wood part of floor with with very large wood screws . Get hit with wood stove doing just going 40 mph because it got ripped out of the floor after a minor crash , it’s not going to end well . Or these building out their vans wat over size lumber and 3/4” thick plywood . You can get the same results with smaller framing lumber and thinner plywood, just by longer screws and good construction glue . My bed/bench for my table I have to move it around but in travel mode I will add for example in floor recessed tie down rings , I can ratchet strap in down . Next time you whine about your MOT think about the mess we have in the US with 0 oversight . Safe travels folks .
Another legality question for you if you know the answer?... We have a swivel passenger pilot seat. Is it legal or illegal to drive with a passenger sat in the seat swivelled facing backwards? (Seat belt on, of course).
No, unless there is specific certification for the seat, which there won’t be. There are issues relating to seats belts and airbag
What a great informative video, great stuff that everyone needs to know. Thank you.
Thank you.
Also how many are driving around with registered panel van on the V5 90% ??
Hi, could I ask what duvet cover/blanket that is behind you? I love the colours! Can’t believe that’s the first ever comment I’ve made on CZcams but 🤷🏽♂️😂
🤣 It’s from Passenger. Really good, multiple uses. Extremely soft and comfortable.
www.passenger-clothing.com/products/nomadic-sherpa-blanket-black-nowhere-bound-print
Thank you 🙏🏻!! We’ve just bought and started converting a T5, so we’ll be working our way through your channel
Not that I know too much about it what are the rules in respect of expired tyres on those persons with camper vans. Just once a few months ago had a chat with someone who was procecuted for this fault but i never asked what he was driving?
Eye opener
Our T28 camper has a gross weight of 2800kg and a gross towing weight of 5200kg, so the extra 2400kg can be towed. Load things into a trailer not the van?
They are becoming more common, especially the teardrop/pod trailers
You can also go to your local scrapyard
Good suggestion
Great video! What are the recommendations for transporting safely in the cargo bay kerosene for heating purpose? Are there any legal restrictions? I have to move out from apartment and will be trying van life. Since I used less kerosene this winter I was thinking about purchasing cheap HDPE 5L jerry cans or a used HDPE barrel to take some of the kerosene (100-200 liters) with me rather than leaving so much for the next tenant. It would last me most likely the whole winter. Obviously it would have to be secured when in motion and ideally dropped somewhere for storage until wintertime, instead of sitting in the van. Normally I would expect to have a 25L jerry can with me for heating or rely on road-taxed diesel from the van tank. It sounds like the risk of causing a hellish inferno might not be worth it, but kerosene is fairly stable. The sprinter and crafter tanks have about 100 liters capacity, so they can carry quite a bit of diesel by design.
Not sure on kerosene, but in regards to fuel it is a maximum of 2 approved containers of fuel. If metal 10 litres, if metal 5 let.
@jimrussell5931 Do you mean petrol? I think the limits are higher, as I saw in a transportation document, but I forgot details. I didn't manage to purchase any cheap, temporary containers, so I got 6x proper 20 litre UN jerry cans, plus whatever HDPE containers I got, some designed for fuel or oil. I took circa 150 litres of kerosene. There were still about 100 litres left in the tank. Jerry cans aren't cheap, but they were effectively half-price with "free" fuel I paid already, and they are very robust. I think they are certified to survive drop from 1-2 meters on hard surface, on the corner, without leaking.
Do you have any t3 T25 info ?
Why, so my T4 CAN carry 1460kg on the rear axle , but it isn't, theres maybe 15 kg of wood and insulation in the back, and a foam matress.
Its a good ton under its load max. Any new Merc alloy wheel is fine.
The carrying weight of the axle also includes the weight of the van that it is carrying
Great advice 👍🇰🇾
that spork looks a bit sharp, you got a loicense for that?
As I have a factory built California T5 with factory wheels etc I skipped to the end and found something relevant - my wife occasionally put her feet on the dash - never again. Thank you.
Don’t miss the part about overloading and packing poorly. Flying missiles aren’t good.
Nice choice of camper
@@StaycationLifestyle thank you. As an ex van driver I am aware.
Is it an accident that those handcuffs are in the bedroom ?? 😁
🤣
Bedfordshire don’t list any . 😬
Easy to sort out ..told the wife lets leave the kids behind..simple fix
Seems like a logical solution, would also be much more relaxing 😁
I looked at this with intrest to see if my VW Transporter was legal but no mention of it very disopointed, I have a VW T2 posible the the most popular one.
I’m sorry 🥲 I love the older stuff, but it seems most watching my channel don’t.
I made a video on a 23 window Samba over a year ago and hardly anyone was interested in it.
Maybe one day I will win the lottery, buy one and start a separate channel 😁
If my blankets end up on my feet , ill know i was in a crash, but i will realize at that exact moment i forgot to put the handbrake on
🤣 Made me laugh. Not something you want to forget
Response to a submission about unrestrained dog on someones lap from the police was its restrained by the passenger 🙄
Yes I can see that, doesn’t seem right though does it
Well, if I change no components, I pay my taxes and insurance and I have a driverslicence, here (in The Netherlands) my van could never be illigal. But who knows, it might be diffetent in the USA.
Are you saying that in the Netherlands you could put wheels on a vehicle which are not capable of carrying the weight of the vehicle, therefore dangerous?
@@StaycationLifestyle That is not what I said: I said my car is never illegal if I change no components. Or if I don’t overload it, r tow a to heavy lorry. Stay within the law and my original car is never is never illegal. Don’t fuzz with your vehicle and your van is legal, change things and yeah, then you make it unsafe and illegal.
If drivers don’t know such simple things they shouldn’t be aloud on the road
Unfortunately, you look at Facebook groups and you see a lot of it. Unbelievable, but it’s common
My favourite is having a row of knives on a magnetic strip.
🤣 Yes not advisable
Even smiling is ILLEGAL in the miserable UK
Smiling won’t cause an accident 🤣 I know what you mean though
I didn't know Gary Barlow drove a T5...
🤣
PS. If you drive Offroad and one wheel is lifted from the ground, you got all the load on 1 wheel. ☹️👎👎👎👎
You don't need to have insulation and cabinets,
do you think 2800 kg is enough for vanlife?
For vanlife as weekend trips, short breaks for most they will be ok. For vanlife to live in, I would expect not. A lot will depend on the conversion (weight of components) the added weight of bigger wheels etc, it all adds up. For me, it would be fine, for others it may not.
i am planning to live in the van, but i wont have that much stuff in there so i probably will be fine i think
@@StaycationLifestyle
Great Video but can you please spell Tyres correctly !
Thank you. Just had quick scan through and can’t see where it’s spelt wrong. I can only see it spelt “tyre” the UK way
I have just had a look and at 3.17 is the first of a few comments where you have spelt Tyre as "Tire" @@StaycationLifestyle
You are assuming that the gross rating cannot be changed.
That is true and it can be changed, however if it is, the plate I refer to for people to check, should be changed to reflect it
@@StaycationLifestyle This is true, but the GVW number on the plate usually stays as was (so you get, for example, a T28 with the axle ratings relevant to a T30).
Years a go if you change size of wheel and suspension,say an extra leaf spring,you could go from 7.5t to 10 t,so if you change out for bigger wheels and say t30 suspension,you can carry more,but whether dvla believe you have done that they still go of the vin plate,unless checked by an mot ,and logbook change,this size van can only go upto 3.2t before a tacho graph and speedlimiter is added for carrying extra weight
Oh for goodness sake leave the wheels alone, you are not 3 years old, original wheels are safer, bend but still get you home, alloys often break on impact, then you are stuck. Cheap alloys can age harden, become brittle and shatter.....and kill you.
Very true and with original wheels, you will have the correct commercial tyre
Any van over 2000kgs is also subject to a 60mph speed limit, that's every T5.
It’s not actually as straightforward as that, there are a lot of myths. Video will be coming soon, with facts 👍
On a dual carriageway 60mph, on a single carriageway 50mph.
@@fergy1ful Not if it’s registered as a Campervan or it’s a caravelle or some other more complicated reasons. I will explain
@@StaycationLifestyle Yes. Rule 124 in the Highway Code and the accompanying table gives more detail. I have a T5 3.2 so have to stick to 50mph on single carriageway and 60mph on dual.
@@fergy1ful What is your van? If it’s converted (to fit the motor caravan definition) or a Kombi (within the dual purpose vehicle definition) then you may be subject to the same limits as a car.
Why do you have handcuffs 😂😂
Kids toy 😂
Sure😂
Is this soap and are those policemen soap stars and their car a props? T26 Tank?