I know that this has been covered before on this forum, but I remain confused on speed restrictions that apply to 4Motion vans.
From reading previous posts, it is clear that there is agreement that if a vehicle falls into the scope of "Dual Purpose" then the legal speed that it may drive increases from 50 - 60 MPH. (On A roads where the national speed limit applies.) It has not ever been satisfactorily concluded whether or not a VW transporter (Kombi or converted 4Motion Panel Van) fall into the "Dual purpose" category.
I found the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and as far as I can see any SWB 4Motion panel van is on the edge of being classed as "Dual Purpose".
The legislation states:
a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle of which the unladen weight does not exceed 2040 kg
The sticking point is the "Unladen weight" and the bit that states carriage of "both passengers and of goods" - it doesn't state how many passengers. IE - Does a regular 4Motion panel van fall into the scope as it can carry passengers and goods... just not many passengers!
So I think that to be safe to say that all 4Motion Kombi's and converted vans fall into the scope of this legislation if they have a unladen weight of less than 2040kg.
The legislation (linked to above) defines unladen vehicle weight as:
the weight of a vehicle or trailer inclusive of the body and all parts (the heavier being taken where alternative bodies or parts are used) which are necessary to or ordinarily used with the vehicle or trailer when working on a road, but exclusive of the weight of water, fuel or accumulators used for the purpose of the supply of power for the propulsion of the vehicle or, as the case may be, of any vehicle by which the trailer is drawn, and of loose tools and loose equipment.
VW publish the "Vehicle and driver weight" of a SWB 6.1, 4Motion panel van as 2121kg. The published vehicle and driver weight of 2121 kg includes the driver - I have no idea how that works? How heavy is a driver? (I weigh 97 kg and so if I continue to avoid salad and carry some scales around will this satisfy the nice police man?)
Can anyone vouch for the accuracy of the kerb weight published by ultimate specs? They state a kerb weight for a 4Motion 199 SWB of 2036kg.
The legislation (linked to above) defines kerbside weight as:
The weight of a vehicle when it carries—
(a) in the case of a motor vehicle,
(i) no person; and
(ii) a full supply of fuel in its tank, an adequate supply of other liquids incidental to its propulsion and no load other than the loose tools and equipment with which it is normally equipped;
I think that I am correct is saying that if the Kerbside weight of 2036kg is correct, then the unladen weight will be 2036kg, less the weight of the fuel/AdBlue potentially making all 4Motion vans a "Dual Purpose Vehicle" and legal to drive within the speed limits of a standard car? It remains ambiguous whether this would apply irrespective of whether or not rear seats and windows are fitted.
Any thoughts?
From reading previous posts, it is clear that there is agreement that if a vehicle falls into the scope of "Dual Purpose" then the legal speed that it may drive increases from 50 - 60 MPH. (On A roads where the national speed limit applies.) It has not ever been satisfactorily concluded whether or not a VW transporter (Kombi or converted 4Motion Panel Van) fall into the "Dual purpose" category.
I found the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and as far as I can see any SWB 4Motion panel van is on the edge of being classed as "Dual Purpose".
The legislation states:
a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle of which the unladen weight does not exceed 2040 kg
The sticking point is the "Unladen weight" and the bit that states carriage of "both passengers and of goods" - it doesn't state how many passengers. IE - Does a regular 4Motion panel van fall into the scope as it can carry passengers and goods... just not many passengers!
So I think that to be safe to say that all 4Motion Kombi's and converted vans fall into the scope of this legislation if they have a unladen weight of less than 2040kg.
The legislation (linked to above) defines unladen vehicle weight as:
the weight of a vehicle or trailer inclusive of the body and all parts (the heavier being taken where alternative bodies or parts are used) which are necessary to or ordinarily used with the vehicle or trailer when working on a road, but exclusive of the weight of water, fuel or accumulators used for the purpose of the supply of power for the propulsion of the vehicle or, as the case may be, of any vehicle by which the trailer is drawn, and of loose tools and loose equipment.
VW publish the "Vehicle and driver weight" of a SWB 6.1, 4Motion panel van as 2121kg. The published vehicle and driver weight of 2121 kg includes the driver - I have no idea how that works? How heavy is a driver? (I weigh 97 kg and so if I continue to avoid salad and carry some scales around will this satisfy the nice police man?)
Can anyone vouch for the accuracy of the kerb weight published by ultimate specs? They state a kerb weight for a 4Motion 199 SWB of 2036kg.
The legislation (linked to above) defines kerbside weight as:
The weight of a vehicle when it carries—
(a) in the case of a motor vehicle,
(i) no person; and
(ii) a full supply of fuel in its tank, an adequate supply of other liquids incidental to its propulsion and no load other than the loose tools and equipment with which it is normally equipped;
I think that I am correct is saying that if the Kerbside weight of 2036kg is correct, then the unladen weight will be 2036kg, less the weight of the fuel/AdBlue potentially making all 4Motion vans a "Dual Purpose Vehicle" and legal to drive within the speed limits of a standard car? It remains ambiguous whether this would apply irrespective of whether or not rear seats and windows are fitted.
Any thoughts?
.
