Down Rating A T32 To T30

[Jamie2.0]

I'm asking on behalf of a colleague who has just bought a T32 to convert. As we all know limited selection of wheels etc. We got to discussing down plating which I'm sure I read briefly on here somewhere.

Had a look on the following, which looks straight forward enough: -

Specialist tests for lorries

But what are the mechanical ramifications? Does the van stay mechanically unchanged and is just reclassified or do the struts and springs get swoped out and down graded too?

If the van stays the same mechanically does this then mean you can run T30 wheels etc?

Any advice greatly received thanks!

 

[Pauly]

@andythom188
SV Tech - Welcome

 

[Jamie2.0]

Thanks @Pauly I’ll pass that on to the chap.

 

[Pauly]

@andythom188 has done it with that company so can give more details than me, it’s been discussed before if you have a search there is some info here somewhere

 

[StudleyGlass]

As paul has posted SV is the place to go. I believe it is just a paperwork job. Not mods needed. Svtech For Up-rating Vans

 

[t0mb0]

Svtech can definitely replate it. I’d do all the conversion work first though, load it up as much as you’re ever likely to and weigh it to see if you really want to lose 200kg of capacity.

 

[Jamie2.0]

This is great, thanks guys.

 

[Phil_G]

I used SV Tech - easy, painless and no physical mods. The DVLA on the other hand are useless

 

[Tourershine]

I used SV Tech - easy, painless and no physical mods. The DVLA on the other hand are useless

I find many things that have .gov in the heading very over complicated and often antiquated.

 

[Howler]

Other than to increase your selection of wheels, is there any other reasons to replate a T32 to a T30?

 

[Wills]

MOT can be completed @ a normal station for starters as its class is down graded....

 

[Lord Mfwic]

MOT can be completed @ a normal station for starters as its class is down graded....

Wow, I never knew that.
So where do you need to go to get an MOT on a T32?

 

[Jamie2.0]

Appreciate the responses. I've passed this on to my colleague.

I will admit it was wheel selection that started the conversation at work but then sort of moved on to a question of is it really possible, I suppose in the end it morphed into just plain old curiosity.

 

[t0mb0]

If the conversion involves reclassifying it as a Motorcaravan then it should avoid the more expensive MOT even if it is a T32.

 

[Davenjo]

If the conversion involves reclassifying it as a Motorcaravan then it should avoid the more expensive MOT even if it is a T32.

I didn’t know that - this seems to support:- Getting an MOT

...and some discussion around it here:- MOT CLass | Motorhome Matters | Motorhomes Forum

 

[Dieseldonkey]

T32 Shuttle or camper = class 4
T32 panel van = class 7

There's logic somewhere, I'm sure.

 

[Howler]

T32 Shuttle or camper = class 4
T32 panel van = class 7

There's logic somewhere, I'm sure.

Just to add more confusion to their "logic";

T32 Kombi = class 4 - Dual purpose vehicles

 

[Dieseldonkey]

Car-derived vans and dual purpose vehicles

What's unladen weight of a T32 Kombi?

 

[Howler]

Car-derived vans and dual purpose vehicles

What's unladen weight of a T32 Kombi?

According to the VW Transporter brochure the "unladen weight" of a T32 Kombi SWB 2.0TDI 150PS 6-speed manual Highline is 2081kg. However this unladen weight includes approximately 90% fuel load and 75kg for driver.

Whereas the Department for Transport website says that unladen weight of any vehicle is the weight of the vehicle when it’s not carrying any passengers, goods or other items. It doesn’t include the weight of fuel.

So therefore the unladen weight of a T32 Kombi (SWB 2.0TDI 150PS 6-speed manual highline) has got to be less than the key 2040kg (2081 - 75 = 2006kg), it also ticks the other conditions of being a "dual purpose vehicle" but only when the second row of seats are fitted.

 

[Dieseldonkey]

Upping the spec, ie LWB, 204ps and so on pushes those figures up a bit.

There's a huge variation on VWs published unladen weight for my vehicle, 2241kg. Compared to the Mass in Service weight of 1954kg, listed on the V5. Even with 75kg for driver (Yeah, when I was 12) and allowing 70kg for fuel, it's way off.

It would be considerably easier for folk if the MoT class was just listed on the V5.