7.5T HGV Conversion to Motor Caravan

[ElbertCamper]

I want to buy a Mercedes Vario, that currently has no MOT, no up to date Plates, no tachograph fitted. My plan is to get it delivered to the workshop, convert into a motorhome and apply to DVLA to change to a motor caravan. Once I have done this I think I will only need to get a normal MOT (As long as the garage can take 7.5 tonne vehicles)

Will this plan work?

What else will I need to do to get it on the road?? I am looking for a straightforward checklist of everything I need!!

(I understand about needing a C1 License - pre 1997 standard excepted otherwise long process)

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[GreggBear]

The not station will test it as it is presented, if you convert it to a camper they will test it as a camper which is class 4 same test as a car. You may need to go to a HGV test station but still get a class 4 mot. Probably not get your log book changed, DVLA are refusing everything just now, just leave it as is & use it as a camper.

 

[Wully]

Only one I know on here with a 7.5 ton conversion is st3v3 he might shed some light.

 

[harrow]

I want to buy a Mercedes Vario, that currently has no MOT, no up to date Plates, no tachograph fitted. My plan is to get it delivered to the workshop, convert into a motorhome and apply to DVLA to change to a motor caravan. Once I have done this I think I will only need to get a normal MOT (As long as the garage can take 7.5 tonne vehicles)

Will this plan work?

What else will I need to do to get it on the road?? I am looking for a straightforward checklist of everything I need!!

(I understand about needing a C1 License - pre 1997 standard excepted otherwise long process)

Thanks in advance for any help

Think very seriously about all the LEZ and ULEZs that are appearing all over the country, how will you cope ?

 

[Millie Master]

I want to buy a Mercedes Vario, that currently has no MOT, no up to date Plates, no tachograph fitted. My plan is to get it delivered to the workshop, convert into a motorhome and apply to DVLA to change to a motor caravan. Once I have done this I think I will only need to get a normal MOT (As long as the garage can take 7.5 tonne vehicles)

Will this plan work?

What else will I need to do to get it on the road?? I am looking for a straightforward checklist of everything I need!!

(I understand about needing a C1 License - pre 1997 standard excepted otherwise long process)

Thanks in advance for any help

I suggest you join our sister site (free to join) https://motorhomebuilder.com/ where there are several member who have converted the amazing Mercedes Vario.

Any and all your questions will be answered over there who have been at the very same coal face at some time in their builds.

 

[st3v3]

Only one I know on here with a 7.5 ton conversion is st3v3 he might shed some light.

As gregbear post really, I doubt DVLA will give MH, but I don't thunk it really matters any more.

 

[Geek]

To get DVLA to change the Body Type to Motor Caravan, you have to convince them that it looks like a motor caravan. This has not proved easy in recent years, partly because so many people were building "stealth campers" that looked like vans.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

If I was planning this (I did ages ago and have a drawing) I'd steer well clear of the Vario rust bucket and go for a 7.5t refrigerated box van about 22 foot box, the amount od space and under body storage is amazing, and it's already insulated, with built in AC/heating.

parking is more of a problem true, but the MOT rules apply to that too, DVLA would struggle with either choice as a Motorcaravan as they just don't understand/care.

 

[r4dent]

As said above DVLA are playing hardball and not approving changes of category to motor caravan.

Have a read of this page for some of the hoops you will need to go through.

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk

 

[r4dent]

Think very seriously about all the LEZ and ULEZs that are appearing all over the country, how will you cope ?

and all over EU.

 

[GreggBear]

As said above DVLA are playing hardball and not approving changes of category to motor caravan.

Have a read of this page for some of the hoops you will need to go through.

Converting a vehicle into a motor caravan (motor home)

www.gov.uk

I've applied twice now, ticked every single box on the check sheet, plus got a big roofrack with 4 solar panels on the roof, yet they still refused me. Their reason was that it doesn't look like a camper outside, yet they will not specify what they need to see on the exterior other than what is on the checklist. No bother, I can still legally use it as a camper, plus the bus roadtax is cheaper than PLG, which is officially what every motor caravan should be taxed as regardless of size....

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Part of the problem with getting the V5 changed is you need to go a bit further than just doing what they require, the letter you write and the pictures you take carry a lot of weight too, essentially is it has to look like a Motorcaravan to a passer by and a lot just don't, a lot look like buses and lately many look like welfare vans, decals make a lot of difference to the public.

Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com

This was sent to me to help get the V5 changed, I adopted all the suggestions and also took a picture from the rear of the van with the offside door open showing the interior, and also showing the registration number, unfortunately, I don't have a copy of my DVLA application letter, but they just changed it to Motorcaravan without question, even though I hadn't got around to adding decals.

Evidence for DVLA convertion to Motorcaravan.doc

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Bens V5 for van conversion.jpg

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[BOTCANU]

All done and registered as motor caravan about 3 years ago . Cheap tax (£165) from memory. Total cost approximately £2000 includes bus. Pretty sure with windows and all the other necessary features you should be ok

 

[trevskoda]

I've applied twice now, ticked every single box on the check sheet, plus got a big roofrack with 4 solar panels on the roof, yet they still refused me. Their reason was that it doesn't look like a camper outside, yet they will not specify what they need to see on the exterior other than what is on the checklist. No bother, I can still legally use it as a camper, plus the bus roadtax is cheaper than PLG, which is officially what every motor caravan should be taxed as regardless of size....

Nop min is motorcaravn on l book and in as phg as its 6.4 on the log book though in fact it weighs 4.3 allowing a 2 ton trailer if I wish, its also tested as a car but because of weight it has a smoke test done, bit silly as same engine in sub 3.5 vans which don't get exh test.

 

[Deleted member 84699]

These are the questions I'd be asking myself
Are you sure the vario isn't going to turn into a money pit. Is it really going to be better than a panel van.

As for classifying as camper currently you've got very little chance. As others have said DVLA have decided that they're not doing it despite there being an official form etc.
Page after page on van forums about this. Van with windows is what most get back.

Good luck with your conversion whatever you decide to do

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I think if I had done all that they requested and more I would resort to having a word with my MP and the police.

 

[trevskoda]

I think if I had done all that they requested and more I would resort to having a word with my MP and the police.

Dont think the police would have anything to do with it, MP yes, and some of the online petitions to get it heard.in parliament.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

The police are part of the reasoning behind the requirements Trev and the general public have to be able to look at one and definitely describe it as a motorhome, not a bread van or anything else, all to do with crimes committed in vehicles and witnesses being able to say what it was, So I would find myself a rozzer and get him to describe it as a motorcaravan in writing, I missed the window when I was getting my van changed, but the year before DVLA had local offices and you just needed to go there and they did it on the spot, but now it's all done at Swansea as a money-saving exercise but I don't think you can actually go there for a positive identification.

 

[wildebus]

Nop min is motorcaravn on l book and in as phg as its 6.4 on the log book though in fact it weighs 4.3 allowing a 2 ton trailer if I wish, its also tested as a car but because of weight it has a smoke test done, bit silly as same engine in sub 3.5 vans which don't get exh test.

Might be a regional (GB vs NI) thing, but all cars and vans in GB have exhaust emissions test, and the criteria was tightened up a few years go as well.

 

[mistericeman]

The police are part of the reasoning behind the requirements Trev and the general public have to be able to look at one and definitely describe it as a motorhome, not a bread van or anything else, all to do with crimes committed in vehicles and witnesses being able to say what it was, So I would find myself a rozzer and get him to describe it as a motorcaravan in writing, I missed the window when I was getting my van changed, but the year before DVLA had local offices and you just needed to go there and they did it on the spot, but now it's all done at Swansea as a money-saving exercise but I don't think you can actually go there for a positive identification.

Good luck with, actually FINDING a copper, let alone one bothered to spend his/her time writing a letter about motorhomes and camper vans....

They only enforce the rules not write them...

Your MP might be worth a try IF they're not too busy partying...