up plating overweight camper van| selfbuild camper crafter sprinter | the crafty blinders van life

[@kevamos20]

Great news Sam.....👍 We just done the paperwork exercise 3.7t.... In Spain at mo 😊

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

No mods required I take it

[@kevamos20]

No mate ...I had already put twin leaf springs on and bgf /alloys as I wanted the lift .... 200kg does us ... if we wanted to go any heavier they wanted airbags .... 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@Kev Amos was that SV tec by any chances?

[@kevamos20]

Yes Sam..... 300 and odd quid for the pleasure lol

[@kevamos20]

In a little Spanish town at mo ...away to see an auto electrician 😱 having problems with victron multiplus ...keeps tripping and BMV not working 🤞

[@christinamacintyre9972]

Nice new hoodie Sam, Happy New Year

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Happy new year I love the new hoodie it's class

[@wetchels5335]

Well done Sam, congrats on getting your van up plated all your hard work is paying off :-) Hope you've gotten over your chest infection and feeling ready for the year ahead.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Cheers back on the mend mate 😁👍

[@Basilbrush207]

Hi again Sam Only down side with up-plating is even if you have the C1 entitlement by default, once you hit 70 years of age you will need to have a medical to keep this entitlement or you won’t be able to legally continue to drive your van hence people then down-plate. Like you I am ex HGV driver so to keep this class I already have medicals but some people might not be aware of this so just putting it out there incase some people who maybe diabetic etc may come unstuck when needing the higher level medical test. Otherwise very accurate video. In my dark past I was a VOSA enforcement officer (yes boo hiss I hear) for ten years so have seen it from both sides so glad to hear sound advice. Keep up the good work 👏🏻

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Its true what you say but I live for the here and now! 70 is a long way off hopefully, you have raised a great point I will try to cover in the future thank you for your honesty, we all make mistake (VOSA) the only problem is when we don't learn from them! but it sound like you did and the experience hasn't damaged you in any way 😂😂😂 all joking aside thanks for the comment it's great to here opinion's from all sides

[@renovateandflip2073]

Never something I really thought about and a great vid as always Sam

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

It's a subject a lot of people don't want to talk about but the technology is out there to catch over weight vans so having away to fix the problem is beneficial but as you said not many people know about it or how to complete the process

[@munromobile6539]

Thank you for this video Sam.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

😊🫶

[@davidlambert9813]

Great vlog again Sam. One thing I found out when I upplatted my van was make sure that you are not paying the Road tax by direct debit as this may cause delays. If you are thinking of upplatting pay the road tax in full. You will then be refunded the difference. I also used Van Weight Engineering, great service 😃

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I agree I got a total of £27 back but the tax is due next month in one hand out with the other 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaymurray2137]

Thanks Sam for all the information.I am just starting the process on our Sprinter

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

No problem mate

[@SandVan]

Happy new year ❤awesome video 😊

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Happy new year 😀 thank you sorry for the delay in responding it been a very demanding few weeks

[@The1958Rocker]

Great video, uncomplicated with only required information. Only point you missed was to discuss insurance responsibilities. Otherwise great job, keep it up. Regards Simon👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Good point we did speak to our insurance company who said as it's been up plated via DVLA and we have documents stating the new weight and reclassification we need do nothing more the van is still insured Are you considerING up plating yourself

[@The1958Rocker]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife no, we have a 2001 Ducato based Hymer Swing. I made my comment as 49 years in the trade and MOT tester on 4,5 and 7. It was more as an arse cover for you as the crap I've seen and heard from people over the years is ridiculous. People didn't know about the DVLA changes on what was a motorhome, ie change to requiring one window on each side etc. I had a couple of people bring a class 7 van in saying it was now class 4 as it had a bed (couple of sponge mattresses) but they had the end shut off with storage for dirt bikes with tools and a bench. They got upset when I told them it's still a class 7. I also warned them about being overweight. Even our Hymer can get close or over if the fresh water tank is fu along with the grey, and say four adults and a couple of kids, plus all the food, clothes, paraphernalia etc. All it takes is an over enthusiastic copper and boom, holiday over. I'm sure I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but it's shocking how people don't care about, know, or want to know the laws and regs. Then, when they're pulled over, or have an insurance claim get all arsey. Thing is, I bet you have a good insurer, but many have budget insurance and many will refuse new cover, or impose heavy premium increases. I'm an old codger so insurance isn't too bad currently, but even for me, as I get older it'll start going up again. Anyway, as I said great video, nice and uncomplicated. Keep it up and good luck for the future. 👍

[@The1958Rocker]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife I've been involved in downplating with stuff like horseboxes and recovery trucks. 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@The1958Rocker thanks I totally get where you're coming from I'm an ex trucker, so weight has always been in the back of my mind during the build, and this summer, i came across do many overweight vans and when they saw our set up the conversion soon turned to up plate and the process Thanks for the comments😁👍

[@pathfinder303]

Just found your YT site and subscribed. Like the no nonsense approach and good ideas. I have the Sprinter version but apart from the engine there is little difference. Don't know why I haven't come across your site before now and hopefully you gather more subscribers. Keep it up !

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Thanks for the comment it's appreciated I guess I can't be meeting the YT algorithms criteria We are slowly growing if you could share the channel with friend and groups it would be appreciated 😁👍

[@trickydicky6788]

Good to see how it's all done. Just how much does the road tax get reduced by. Thank you for all the effort you put into making your videos Richard

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

About £110 👍

[@admanlincolnal]

Useful video for those wanting to up-plate. I use Van weight engineering. Your camper should be MOT tested as presented, so a campervan. If your MOT testing station says different find another one.👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I'll try and use the same garage as previously hopefully no issues

[@raykeogh1972]

Thank you for all that information, The surprising thing is the brake don"t need anything done, Every year of my Auto Trail Scout fails its MOT on brakes mainly hand brake but my MOT's cost me a small fortune this year including time off while it's in the garage ( MH is my only vehicle) It ended up costing me £2600. my van AL-KO KOBER AG 3850 KG from new I put air bags on the bag and put 16inch wheels and All-Terrain T/A. BFGoodrich tyres. I want to up grade the weight ablement to possible 4050 kg if I have that right to cary a small motor boat engine 20hp on a box at the back. If I am struggle with brakes now I have no chance of upgrading, Love your video's made sure I watch all the adds so you get something back, Ray K UK YNWA oh when you said you will tell us the cost I thought it would be of all the parts needed to or hoping it was.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

The breaks are rated for the train weight 5500kg I was surprised that I didn't have to do anything

[@bramisheu8933]

MOT should be tested as presented (As a camper), i use one in Egremont, hes awesome.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Cheers who do you use please

[@willdatsun]

Not called torsion beam on the front, it is a (fibreglass?) leaf. Berlingos have torsion bars on the rear, vans such as Nissan Urvan etc have torsion bars on the front, as to some American cars such as Dodge, Plymouth. They twist.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I stand corrected 😁

[@PK_Blinder]

I'll second using Dee and Claire at Van Weight Engineering. Very easy and simple process... 👍 Have a check with your normal MOT station as mine can still do my MOT as its classed as a motorhome. Not quite sure as yours is a van with windows..

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

The first thing I did was to talk with the guys at the MOT station if I can get it reclassified as a motorhome they can test other wise it's a commercial test

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

How do big Sam. congrats on the up plating. You worked hard to get it. Can I ask a couple of things? how does it affect driving- as in reduced driving speeds on the roads to comply with the change and has it drastically increased insurance costs? It's not something I'm going to do at the moment with Viv-i-van as I intend to bimble about in her first and get used to van life .She's 800 kilos under weight anyway at moment so I'm ok there. However, even before I've even been out away in her(and I still dont trust her after being off and on the road for five months with serious and expensive issues) seeing your crafter, and Will's bigger van and Tom and Brooke's crafter, it seems to be the perfect van and now I'm looking at them seriously-just in case I decide to sell the house and go full time vanning-viv-i-van would be just too small for that. Anyhoo, thanks for the comment on my post in the Urban vanlife group.It was very much apperciated. Bessy regs-Kenny

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

So no increase on insurance reduced tax and the van handles like a dream, but I do need to remind myself of the speed limits regularly and Dexter is a little rocket once moving and needs rained in The space in a crafter is perfect for a family or full time, I've had smaller vans but the crafter was always my dream van

[@petersmith2325]

Great info, doing upgrades to my sprinter. I'm surprised your train weight can't be higher as all the upgrades that you have done to your van. I want to pull a car trailer but you are limited to 5500. I guess there has to be a limited and also the tachograph comes into play.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Braking would be the issue there, mate

[@petersmith2325]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife aah good point. My trailer has a breaking system?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@Peter Smith I believe the issue is if they fail the van must be able to stop the van and trailer If it had an air break system, they fail on so that may be away around it

[@petersmith2325]

@The Crafty Blinders van life what would you suggest, I'm always up for a challenge obviously depending on cost. Who could possibly give me this info.?

[@rosspaterson2989]

Very helpful video Sam, thank you. Just picking up your channel. I am looking to up-plate my LWB sprinter campervan - my current V5 body type is panel van and the van up plating engineering company explained that van needs to be classed as either body type motorhome or van with windows - did you apply for latter and how? I meet most of the criteria for motorhome but am not fussed about doing the last elements so would be happy with van with windows body type. Good luck with Spain trip for Xmas/New Year!

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I take it you spoke with SV tech?

[@rosspaterson2989]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Yes I did as other provider not available at the moment

[@williampotts2369]

did the issue of speed limiter come up, my mot place is saying as unladen weight is more than 3050kg i have to fit a speed limiter to 56mph or 90kmh

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

In the uk you vehicle should be tested as presented if it looks like a campervan it should be tested as a campervan as mine was the only 2 days ago most van on the road exceed 3050kg as they are plated to 3500kg and are not fitted with speed limiters how would they know what weight your vehicle is its not a requirement during your MOT to check your weight plate it goes back to how your vehicle is presented I would go elsewhere it sound like they are trying to get you to spend money with them!

[@AmeriManxTravels]

Nice info Sam, thanks! We're considering up-plating our motorhome which is already plated at 4000kg. Is there a way to find out the limits on the wheel rims we already have? Cheers 😊

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

They should be stamped on the back side of the rim somewhere

[@eastgate19]

We are looking to get sprinter camper uplated from 3500kg to probable 4500 kg …can u let us know which uy u used to up plate? Love the videos very informative ☺️

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Hi we used Dee @ Van Weight Engineering Can you let them know I've referred you to them

[@eastgate19]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Thank you, we emailed them and said you had recommended them, your videos are great! ☺️

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Hi we used van weight engineering you won't be disappointed Can I ask does your van have twin wheels on tge back as 4.5t on a single is not achievable

[@mickbennett-hj2mc]

Hi Sam. Great Video as always, just curious I know you were going for max weight and the axle let you down. what weight do you think you could get with just Air Assist fitted to a standard van. Thanks Mick

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Hi we have uprated all the suspension to 5 tonne, wheel and tyres upgraded to carry up to 5 tonne so honestly I wouldn't consider the van to be standard any more The initial enquiries were we could up plate to 4800kg so that's what we're aiming for but I'm happy with 4230kg van handles better than it ever did and we have no issues loading it up now either Are you considering up plating yourself?

[@mickbennett-hj2mc]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Sorry Sam, I may have worded my question badly, I followed your build with lots of interest, and appreciate how much work you have done in all areas, fantastic job. I have a bog standard lwb Crafter and was curious if you had any thoughts what I could achieve in an up plate with only Air assist fitted. Thanks

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@mick bennett 😁👍 it's all good. In reality, to achieve 3880kg, you can do nothing as this is what most crafter/ sprinters were designed to carry They are down plated to allow European driver to drive them on a B1 standard car licence With just the airbags, you may be able to achieve 4050kg I would contact van weight engineering it cost you nothing they will forecast what weight you could achieve 😁👍

[@Two_in_transit]

How much do you think the leaf spring upgrade alone has added to the gvw?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

At a push 30kg total my new springs were not that much heavier than the standard ones

[@andym1908]

What is the idea behind upping the up plating ?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

We are just trying to make people aware of the issues around overweight vehicles and how to deal with the problem The government is rolling out weight in motion sensors sites across the UK They currently have 14, targeting dengerouse overweight vehicles with plans to roll out many more So, in short, there will be no hiding overweight campervans anymore! The implications of getting cough by one of these sites can be very costly and could even cost you your home

[@andym1908]

So the government are not just targeting vans and bigger commercial vehicles? They are clamping down on camper vans and RVs ?

[@ianwheeler7903]

Hi Sam, Can you up plate a van without making any modifications?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Depending on which van it is, yes as most of the larger vans are down plate to allow them be driven on our B1 licence

[@ianwheeler7903]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Hi Sam, I thought that was the case. I have a Peugeot Boxer L4 H2 with standard heavy duty leaf springs along with Falken Wildpeak tyres on the original 16" steel rims.

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

If you contact van weight engineering they will tell you exactly what you can achieve for free

[@ianwheeler7903]

@@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife Thanks Sam, I will contact them tomorrow.

[@waynemantle6274]

What u up plate to pal, mine is maximum at 4050kg 👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

4230kg we set out to max it at 4800kg but VW burst our bubble the rear axle is limited to 2430kg so we had to settle for 4230kg 😁👍

[@waynemantle6274]

Ya u would need twin wheels at rear for 4800kg that’s super heavy,👍👍

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

@Wayne Mantle that was the outcome of our enquiries the rear axle is rated to 2430kg only

[@petermport]

What is the difference between the 3.5t front axel and the 5t, Apart from the leaf spring and dampers I would have thought the rest would be the same so why have they limited it to 1800kg

[@rosselliott7375]

Is this the same process as downrating a van ?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

I couldn't comment as I have not undertaken that process but I'm sure Dee at van weight engineering could help you Do you needn't down rate a vehicle?

[@mechanicalnut7866]

Did the road tax price change mate ?

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

It did we got a refund of £27