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I became aware through the forums here that my motorhome originally registered new in 2001 might be taxed incorrectly. The registration certificate (V5C) clearly shows it as being a motorhome but no weight is listed and it is classed as a Private Light Goods (PLG) which is taxed at £185pa.
Now here I think is the dilemma, It is plated as a 3.5 ton chassis but a sticker in the engine compartment says the suspension has been uprated to 3.8tons but the axle weights have NOT been changed.
Does the V5C need to be altered ? How should it be taxed?? It could also effect my entitlement to drive in a few years.
peedee
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Might be a good idea to go to a weigh bridge and see what the weight is.
If the 3.5 ton limit leaves enough payload leave things as they are.
If you feel that 3.8 tons gives you more payload that you can use, have it changed.
If the sticker say 3.8 tons is that just indicating that this is available? and at present going by what the V5 says, 3.5 tons is the present plating weight.
Perhaps the DVLA could explain how this should be interpreted.
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Well I am sure I am not the only one in this boat, it is a Mercedes chassis fitted with camping suspension and the sticker is the only thing which indicates it can carry a higher payload. I am sure I travel above a gross of 3.5 but with care I do not exceed the axle weights, certainly not by 10 percent. There are advantages for just removing the sticker, lower tolls and less restrictions, e.g. travel at higher legal speeds. I don't see how I could be done for being overweight if the axle loads are within stated values???? It also brings into question is the sticker acceptable proof that the gross can be 3.8 tons?
I thought perhaps someone has already encountered this problem and can give a definitive answer otherwise, yes, I will try to get some sense out of the DVLA
peedee
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I wonder what the computer in police cars has you weight listed at? Would it be whats on the V5C, if so I guess they would go by that. That is if they carry all this info on their databases.
So if payload takes you over the 3.5 ton, would they accept the 3.8 ton sticker? Bearing in mind that its taxed at 3.5 tons
As you say a call to DVLA can only answer this.
Last edited by some-where-in-oxford on Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
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It is the overall weight that will count, if you are above 3.5tonnes as a PLG then you will be illegal. You should be below 3.5 tonnes without exceeding individual axle loads. It would be better to leave it as PLG providing that you are prepared to risk being weighed at the roadside.
I would take it to a wieghbridge fully loaded to see if you have a problem or not
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Mine is similar except it's over 3,500kg - my DVLA document has 3,850 on it but the motorhome is plated at 4000kg - believe I just need to send photos and document back for them to change it.
Is it important to do this or doesn't it really matter (i.e. chassis is over the document weight)
There does appear to be a lot of times when the weights don't match
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It would be better to leave it as PLG providing that you are prepared to risk being weighed at the roadside.
I would take it to a wieghbridge fully loaded to see if you have a problem or not
This is effectively what I have been doing because I have been a bit lax in not checking further! I have taken it to a weighbridge before but not in recent years. As a result I am aware that it is all too easy to overload the rear axle if I have a full fresh water tank even whilst being under 3.8 tons. I am also aware the chances of being caught in a roadside check are very small. Even so most road side checks are unlikely to take action unless you are considered to be dangerously overloaded and you would probably get off with a warning at less than 10 percent overload. i.e plated at 3.5 I could probably get away with a load of 3.8.
Of more concern is invalidation of insurance and to a lesser extent my driving licence which is effected when over 70.
peedee
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There is a benefit in getting the class changed to Private Heavy Goods (all vehicles over 3500kg plated weight). You will save £20 per year in VED. And if your actual laden weight is that critical, it is not the roadside check that you should be worried about, what about the insurance implications of deliberately driving a vehicle that is overweight.
Gerry
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I became aware through the forums here that my motorhome originally registered new in 2001 might be taxed incorrectly. The registration certificate (V5C) clearly shows it as being a motorhome but no weight is listed and it is classed as a Private Light Goods (PLG) which is taxed at £185pa.
Now here I think is the dilemma, It is plated as a 3.5 ton chassis but a sticker in the engine compartment says the suspension has been uprated to 3.8tons but the axle weights have NOT been changed.
Does the V5C need to be altered ? How should it be taxed?? It could also effect my entitlement to drive in a few years.
peedee
Hi Pete,
I've got a sticker in my engine compartment that up rates the Fiat Ducato from 3300kg to 3500kg. the axle weights remain the same but the MAM is increased.
As well as the sticker I have a certificate from SV Tech who authorized the uprate.
Many motorhomers are unaware that a motorhome over 3500kg could in certain circumstances be classed as a "Living Van" see
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Vicarious Books have just acquired a new motorhome and made sure the MAM was not over 3500kg so they did not fall foul of the "Living Van" conditions.
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