Upgrading Our Van's Weight From 3500kg To 4230kg

[@UrbanVanlife]

If you have not seen our front suspension upgrade video watch it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnOUeJmeeLWWqdU

[@TheCraftyBlindersvanlife]

Cracking video Emma and Neil thank for the plug hopefully see you two soon 😬👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

You have a great technical video mate and any one thinking of doing this needs to watch it for sure

[@happyglampers9053]

Great vid Neil and Emma, thank you. We uplated ours a while back to 4050kg by fitting the air bags to the rear. Spoken to Sam at one of the events and he’s def the man for suspension mods. The guys at Rogue Alloys are experts and the best. 💯 customer focused family business. We let them know what we have and they recommended the 17’’ Warlord’s. The BFG tyres are rated at 1360kg too, so we have room to swap the front suspension over at a future point. As you’ve already said, the BFG tyres are fairly quiet on the road with no road noise, winner winner👌

[@magicalmartinable]

Thanks for the great end video, I’ve been following and done all the bits as you’ve done them (with about a 2 month lag) Had to pass my C1 in the process but 100% worth it now my new weight plate is heading back to me. Just for the info, I’ve used VWE and they have been amazing. I left my original MERC still rims on with the BFGS and they are okay for the upgrade. I’ve raptured mine in black (a good cost saving exercise) with a reasonable finish. For those wanting to try, I did this on my own with minimal help on the street out the front of my house. Steep learning curve but can be done with some patience and taking your time. Mines a 313 LWB sprinter and after conversion and a family of five in the weight change was 100% needed. No more stress about getting pulled! Thanks again!

[@George_the_VW_Crafter]

Thanks for a great video, great info. Looking forward to seeing the next one. Thanks Drew

[@UrbanVanlife]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Drew 😃

[@Ritarelay]

Yay finally sorted! So pleased for you. But what a ballache … hoping it feels better to drive now too.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yes there’s a definite noticeable improvement!

[@suepaulbrown9512]

Can't wait to see you two out on the road in 2024! 🥰

[@UrbanVanlife]

It’s been a long time coming . We need sun with mr and mrs brown

[@suepaulbrown9512]

@@UrbanVanlife we will make it happen xx

[@neilchilds7555]

Hi guys I wondered have you thought about doing a video on what paper work you need and how to fill it out so others can plate up or plate down their vehicle keep up the good work

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi all the paper work was done by the engineer at the weight company which we then sent off to the DVLA

[@vanlifeeats]

Great video and legendary advice! I'm pretty sure we are overweight 🙈🙈 Our cupboards are overloaded with every flour, oil, sauce, ingredient you can imagine!

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hahahaha but surly it’s all needed Tho . To be honest mate I thought we would be heavier . You may get a shock if you get weighed

[@SH-vb5ph]

Or just buy a 4.6t / 5.0t / 5.5t van to start with (lots more payload even compared to the upgrade method and the floorpans are 50% thicker too). Getting stopped abroad is much more likely, on average our vans experience a control / stop check every fifth run out of the UK. It’s no big deal, usually a quick documents check. Don’t think you’ll never get stopped in the UK either, WIMs sensors in the road carriageways can individually weigh the six axles on a truck doing 56mph, plus DVSA have publicly stated they are focusing more on enforcement with vans and trailers.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks for the info sure it will help someone out on here but for us this was the option we went with as we are happy with the size of the van we just went over on weight when building which can happen

[@mitch2k72k72k7]

I have a sprinter and looking to do these mods to it. Do you have to do the air upgrade? Also do you have any part numbers for the springs and dampers?

[@UrbanVanlife]

The dampers are in previous videos . But for the right spring you’ll need to go watch sams video he will tell you all the changes and the exact new numbers you need

[@neillh]

Thanks for sharing another great video 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Cheers buddy and happy new year to you

[@897aa33]

Correct me if I am wrong. For legality, the weight plate should be fitted into a none removable part of the van (side of the van pillar) and should be fitted by the certified garage so one of the screw comes with little red stamp. Otherwise police might question .... ? Great videos 👍👍👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

I’d have to correct you here reguarding our van mate . We put the weight plate exactly where the old one use to be . As far as I know there are no laws specifying where . And I don’t think the police have a clue on laws even if there was one to be honest . Who knows but a garage can’t give you a weight plate it has to be a weight engineer company . I guess it’s like a mot as long as you have one then you’re covered . But good question tho man

[@DestinationDestiny-ot5pc]

You are correct Neil. Just done mine to 3900 via VWE and plate just gets stuck over the existing one.

[@vanlifeeats]

And yeah... the wheels are beauts!!! ❤

[@UrbanVanlife]

They sure are sexy

[@jeffshaw4553]

This is the thing with all the different weights when we was looking at different motor homes the ones under 3.5 tonne wasn’t giving us much pay load,so we went for the higher end of scale being a lorry driver for a living we wasn’t limited to weight, especially while we taking the 2 kids away with us thinking of down sizing in few years as not many more years kids are going to what to come away now as they 13 & 15 then we gonna get motor home just for me and wife we’ll done guys getting it updated sounds a headache but you done it 👍🏽👍🏽

[@UrbanVanlife]

We got there in the end! Definitely a good idea going bigger for a family that’s for sure, we sometimes struggle in the van with just us two and the puppers!

[@campervancodgers124]

Fab video as per usual, easy to understand for noobs like us ❤

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks guys hope you are both having lots of fun 🤩

[@campervancodgers124]

@UrbanVanlife at home waiting now , MOT due next week and the clutch is playing up ,, oh the joys 😂

[@robertcanning1888]

Well done. Can a get a cutting off that money tree lol. Stunning selection of wheels in rogue.

[@UrbanVanlife]

No money tree sorry, wish we did have just a lot of work to pay for things unfortunately!

[@robertcanning1888]

@@UrbanVanlife A know mate just joking. If only youre trolls realised. Hope youre all well xx

[@DestinationDestiny-ot5pc]

Great video guys and thanks for the info. I did all mine recently up to 3900kg unfortunately via VWE who were incredibly helpful and went beyond the call of duty to help. Unfortunately I now have to save for springs and further upgraded alloys ( I have the Warlords from Elite ) to get from 3900 - 4230kg. But great post nonetheless and much appreciated

[@UrbanVanlife]

Know your pain on that one, that’s basically what happened to us! Good luck with your future upgrades!!

[@LeisureBit]

Pleased you got it sorted in the end - great advice to get the van weighed, on the to do list - Happy New Year to you both, all the best for 2024. David 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks, you too!

[@johnhbuiltnotbought4924]

Hi all looking good 👍 best of luck

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@BRM101]

Nicely done Neil 👍

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks ☺️

[@denisecafferky2248]

Great job. Those wheels tho, wow 🎉

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thank you 🤗

[@lushalija695]

why you change for the second time front leaf spring?? I was going to buy the first one for my 3.5t Sprinter because I have see the first video. can you give the part number of the second one?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Watch Sam’s video mate he gives all the reasons why and he gives all the right specks and numbers you need .

[@markhughes1252]

Great job both as always, the hughesys ❤

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks so much!

[@bettyourcampervan]

Another ace video sir 🎩

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks 🤩

[@1980jamesm]

Where did you get the mercedes front sping?

[@scottsparky1]

Do you not have to upgrade the breaks to stop the extra weight

[@UrbanVanlife]

no mate the breaks on these van are well capable of hadeling the weight , also if it wasnt they would have not allowed it after engineers report

[@denisscott3073]

Hi Emma and Neil 👋 just us 2saying hi 👋 great video update and information. 👍den and sue 👍 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🚌🚌🚌

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi to both of you, hope you are both well 😃😃

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

What if you do all that but don’t get the plate, then have a crash, get weighed over 3.5t but prove you have carried out the necessary upgrades would the insurance company still be able to invalidate it? Asking because I’ve done all these upgrades 2 years ago but never bothered getting the plate and registering it with the DVLA?

[@UrbanVanlife]

As far as we are aware you have to notify your insurance of any changes you make or they can invalidate it anyway because they will have insured your vehicle as a 3.5 tonne so can use it against you

[@leonblanchflower5448]

Hi guys, great news about the van weight upgrade. Did you have to upgrade the brake components to compensate for the weight increase?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi no we haven’t had to change the breaks, all the changes we had to do have been shown in the video, hope this helps

[@sarabooth-kilby6457]

Did you say you can up plate to 4000 without changing suspension? We've just had a conversion and are almost at 3.5, we're gutted and dont know what to do, not sure we can afford to do all the spring at the moment. Advice will be greatly appreciated please😃

[@UrbanVanlife]

Best thing to do is get in touch with the weight services people and see what they suggest to do as each van is different and they have a lot more knowledge than us.

[@sarabooth-kilby6457]

Do you have an email or website for them please, we really didn't think of this even as an issue when we first bought it😢

[@colino2025]

Can i ask where you weighed your van i am struggling to find a public weighbridge near me.

[@UrbanVanlife]

We went to Widnes to weigh the van, google Calsat and you should find it

[@colino2025]

That's great thanks not too fat away cheers

[@brianparker5228]

Funny you mentioned going on a diet I was thinking early in the video that Emma had lost weight, very noticeable in her face ???

[@UrbanVanlife]

No weight loss as yet but it will happen

[@G-InThe-V]

Hi mate nice wheels ive just purchased some from rogue myself. Have you had your van mapped im starting to find mine a bit sluggish. Wondering if youve any vids on that. Cheers

[@UrbanVanlife]

No sorry we haven’t had the van mapped, we know people who have but it’s worth looking into it properly before you do as it can have affects on your insurance if you don’t declare the change

[@G-InThe-V]

@@UrbanVanlife cheers Neil I've already done it I couldn't handle the lag 😅. I got the chip that can be removed it took only 10 minutes to fit and it's made a nice difference I feel its back to where it was before I put a Ton of weight in it 😀

[@raykeogh1972]

Great video , this is one of my biggest worries about my motorhome, `can I ask where you got it weighed was it in Liverpool? if so I will get my weight checked. Ive looked around Liverpool to see where I can get it done but must not be very good at research because I can't fine one. Ive wanted to up grade my motorhome for about 3 years now being scared to go abroad for the reasons you demonstrated. Thanks for sharing Ray K UK YNWA.

[@UrbanVanlife]

We actually got the van weighed in Widnes, the place is called Calstat hope this helps!

[@johntindals9715]

You should have put that weight plate on a fixed metal part of the body not a panel that can be removed other than that good video

[@tonydean1262]

Instead of me searching the net IL ask here first Is there anything on your driving licence to stop you going up in weight mines a 1981 licence

[@UrbanVanlife]

The best thing to do is just ring up the dvla and see what they say . Hope this helps hear is the number 0300 790 6802

[@tonydean1262]

@@UrbanVanlife got the answer just incase anyone else asks If you passed your test before January 1st 1997 If you’ve had your driver’s licence for more than a couple of decades, you may fall under what’s sometimes known as ‘grandfather rights’. In practice, this means a different set of rules apply for those passing before 1st January 1997 - because they received a category C1 licence alongside the standard category B. If this applies to you, you’ll be legal to drive a van with a GVW of up to 7,500kg, or up to a combined weight of 8,250kg if a trailer is included

[@Andyshields101]

Hi. How does this work with licence requirements for those who passed after 2017? Would this upgrade be C1 catagory?

[@UrbanVanlife]

It would yes . You would need to sit a c1 test

[@mattdobson1984]

What size wheels are those? Still 16" or did you go bigger?

[@UrbanVanlife]

17s mate

[@mattdobson1984]

@@UrbanVanlife do they do them 16" they are nice and I have literally put brand new michelin cross climets on my van before Christmas

[@UrbanVanlife]

I think they do have a 16 the best thing to do would be contact rogue . There just nice people and also will be the best people to get the best wheel info off

[@marcusvarney4662]

Think of all those additional lights you can fit now 😂😂

[@UrbanVanlife]

Ohhhh I’m allready thinking how to convince Emma we need them

[@chrissayers76]

Can you tell me are those wheels 16inch or 17inch. Just about to order some myself

[@UrbanVanlife]

17’s buddy

[@nirwin]

What does this mean about travelling to Europe? I don't know the full facts - but heard 3.5T was a standardised limit for tolls, and being over this means paying more in tolls? I could be wrong here...

[@UrbanVanlife]

We aren’t sure but we will find out when we get there, as far as we are aware it goes off amount of axels

[@charliegibbo]

nice wheels

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks

[@vandox21]

Great vlog as usual guys 👍🏻 when weighing the van does that include items that have been packed ie clothes, paddle boards, general stuff or is that the van minus the above with just the units and shower etc ?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yes the van was fully loaded when we had her weighed as we wanted to get a proper measurement for when we where on the road

[@Dirt-Diggler]

Now it's PHGV is your road tax cheaper? Mines only £165 a year ?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yer £14 per month that’s a winner

[@Dirt-Diggler]

@@UrbanVanlife nice little side effect 👌😁

[@chazcusiter]

great video again, quick question with the new upgrades and over 3.5t do you have granda driving licence section C1

[@UrbanVanlife]

Neil has a full class one and a PSV license

[@chazcusiter]

thats great, its one of the items motorhome sellers fail to highlight like the mean looking wheels @@UrbanVanlife

[@andrewlisajohn]

If you took all the lights of you would save 1000kg🤣

[@UrbanVanlife]

But now we can fit more lights 🤪🤪

[@rayletaxi]

I was going to say that, glad I'm not the only one 😂

[@Motormad196]

Are those upgraded wheels and tyres heavier than your original ones?

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yep they are but not by much!!!

[@clivemillington8452]

Emma is looking Gooooooood 👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@mrsiborg]

New viewer and by no means a mechanic but how would the extra weight affect the chassis? Love the wheels btw.

[@UrbanVanlife]

Hi and welcome, we too aren’t mechanics, but everything we have put in place will not affect the chassis, the service we used to get up plated went into everything in detail on our particular van.

[@mrsiborg]

Oh cool, thanks for the answer. Looking forward to more videos 😀

[@ifell3]

At least the bolts where loose the second time around. 😅

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yer that was a bonus . Altho if you follow Sam crafty blinders he had a lot of bolts snap when he took them back out the second time

[@ifell3]

@@UrbanVanlife are they not torque to yield, replacement after each tightening. Been wanting to build a coil heating thing for ages.

[@Bigchaser01327]

No brake upgrade

[@UrbanVanlife]

The brakes are more than sufficient to stop the vehicle, don’t forget the engineer went through all the specs of the vehicle so they know exactly what was needed to be done

[@CarpyChris1964]

Has it been worth the hassle, and is it a better drive now 👍🏻

[@UrbanVanlife]

Yes and yes on both counts definitely worth it in the end!

[@CarpyChris1964]

@@UrbanVanlife happy days m8

[@froggie316]

evening young sir

[@UrbanVanlife]

That’s defo not me

[@froggie316]

Young Ish

[@grahamunderwood9353]

can fit bigger lights now 😂😂😂

[@UrbanVanlife]

You = hero status

[@SimonWatson-nx1kt]

German plod like to sit on the side of the autobahn and pull uk plated vehicles that are sitting low, if you are over, you get a fine and impounded until you get someone to come and remove some weight ... and you can't just take it out! .... don't ask me how I know!! 🤫

[@UrbanVanlife]

You’re not the first to mention this . It’s easy money for them I guess . The are like vultures

[@Doesnotcare12]

Also, remember you probably are as good a driver as you think and will never harm anyone. How many numpties a day do you see driving like idiots that could crash into you, and then the investigation comes back getting you into 💩💩💩. Good video, guys, and never call me a fat b'stard again please, it's Christmas pounds.

[@silvervandriver9940]

What about speed limits 🤔

[@UrbanVanlife]

We are classed as a motor caravan

[@JohnSmith-jk8mt]

Same as any other vehicle weighing up to 7.5t

[@qwertyasdof25]

And now if you’re staying in the UK you’re going to need a commercial recovery policy because all the normal ones (AA, RAC, GF) only cover you up to 3,500kg 😂

[@UrbanVanlife]

Thanks it’s not commercial it’s private heavy goods and we are already sorted

[@qwertyasdof25]

@@UrbanVanlife ok I’ll rephrase it, if GF/AA/RAC turn up on a standard policy and see it weighs over 3,500kg they will just walk away and tell you that you aren’t covered. I’m not just telling you, I’m letting anyone else reading the comments know:

[@Rob.1340]

👍🚐😎

[@UrbanVanlife]

😃😃