Speeding “Class of vehicle” (Kombi 2040kg)

[Pie]

A couple of weeks ago I received a speeding ticket for doing 58 in a 60mph zone due to Class of vehicle.
I have a T32 factory Kombi.
I appealed using the letter sent in by the OP which I adapted for my personal circumstances.
I sent photos showing the side windows and the kombi seating and a copy of my V5.
I received a letter yesterday saying they would be taking no further action on this occasion.
Many thanks to @sebastian747 for posting his excellent letter and reasoned arguments.
You really have made my weekend saving me a lot of time and money.
A brilliant result thanks to a fantastic forum.
Thanks again.

 

[Murdoch]

Given that traffic police are about as rare as hens' teeth, and excessive speeding appears the norm on motorways these days is the real problem the ANPR connected speed cameras?

 

[evans1089]

I have a T32 LWB Kombi newly converted camper.
Log booked as van with windows and will stay like that because I’m not putting stickers all over it and attempting to get it through the DVLA.
That being said, with reference to the attached image. Do national speed limits apply to me or not?

 

[Loz]

Its up to you, if you think your van meets the DVLA requirements for a dual purpose or motorhome you can take the risk of getting a ticket and challenge it.

 

[Thogg]

This is very interesting and even suggests that real humans are employed at the Safety Camera Unit!
I'm trying to find way to bring my 2118kg LWB down below 2040kg but even with an 80 litre tank (70kg at best) im struggling! I did note that water was included but it reads "water or fuel" suggesting that the regulations cater for steam engines too!

You get 75kg for the driver as well

 

[The Bear78]

You get 75kg for the driver as well

Yes, I get that (as many have said) but where is it written officially? As much as I would love to be able to use forum posts as a defence I dont think it would wash!

 

[Thogg]

It’s on the VW tech specs page

 

[The Bear78]

Thank you. Thats what I was looking for! I have a 140 LWB but will dig out the relevant Euro 5 sheet.

 

[DXX]

Theres a plate (sticker) on the drivers door opening with the vehicle weights plus it’s on the V5 registration document.

 

[Thogg]

Thank you. Thats what I was looking for! I have a 140 LWB but will dig out the relevant Euro 5 sheet.

As standard VW include 75kg plus a 90% full tank. So depending on what tank you have (70 or 80 litres) you can deduct that from the mass in service weight shown on the V5

 

[rowiep]

like everyone else, i have been reading the "speed limit / unladen weight" threads with great interest.
today i took my scrap metal to be weighed at the local scrap merchants.
normally i would take it in my transit, but decided a while ago to run the fuel down in my t32 150 kombi and take my scrap in that.
the nice man at the yard kindly weighed my "unladen" vehicle.
mass in service on log book is 2109 kg
actual weight this morning with approximately 1 gallon of fuel 2020kg

 

[dominic4]

Boats also float on water...

As do witches, ducks and very small rocks!

 

[Skyliner33]

As do witches, ducks and very small rocks!

And needles.

 

[Martin Gibson]

Hi @sebastian747,i know this is an old thread but i have just successfully used you letter and won. It was 63 on the Newtown bypass in Wales. I have a T32 Kombi and changed the details in your letter to suit and have just received a letter dropping the intention to prosecute so thanks very much!

 

[cgtmiles]

Looks like he hasn’t been on the forum for 2 years but still doing good deeds from across the ether!

 

[ChrisBell]

Hi @sebastian747,i know this is an old thread but i have just successfully used you letter and won. It was 63 on the Newtown bypass in Wales. I have a T32 Kombi and changed the details in your letter to suit and have just received a letter dropping the intention to prosecute so thanks very much!

You were lucky no such luck here! My mpg has shot up and got some great vids of clowns and the odd tractor overtaking me lol.

 

[Lubrown]

You were lucky no such luck here! My mpg has shot up and got some great vids of clowns and the odd tractor overtaking me lol.

Your MPG has shot up from you driving slower? If that’s the case something is very wrong. Typically driving at 70mph uses 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and 15% more than driving at 50mph. That’s basic science- you need more fuel to propel a mass faster.

Are you holding it in a lower gear?

I once drove, this was in our golf, from the midlands to the lakes at 50mph on the motorway because we got a flat mid journey and changed for the space saver (which suggests 50mph max). We had bikes on the roof and a fully loaded car… mpg hit high 60s.
Sure it was a tedious drive, although we kept catching people up at traffic jams - journey time probably wasn’t that different due to traffic, but mpg was amazing.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

"Your MPG has shot up from you driving slower? If that’s the case something is very wrong. Typically driving at 70mph uses 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and 15% more than driving at 50mph. That’s basic science- you need more fuel to propel a mass faster.

Are you holding it in a lower gear?"

Are you mis-reading the above? You have just explained why the mpg has increased yet say that there is something wrong? Are you confusing increase and decrease?

 

[dubber36]

Shot up = increased = doing more miles per gallon.

That's how I read it anyway.

 

[Skyliner33]

"Your MPG has shot up from you driving slower? If that’s the case something is very wrong. Typically driving at 70mph uses 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph and 15% more than driving at 50mph. That’s basic science- you need more fuel to propel a mass faster.

Are you holding it in a lower gear?"

Are you mis-reading the above? You have just explained why the mpg has increased yet say that there is something wrong? Are you confusing increase and decrease?

Not strictly true, a mass travelling at constant speed (ignoring friction ie air resistance) needs zero force to maintain that speed. The reason that it uses more fuel at 70 than 50 is that the drag force (air resistance) that the engine has to work agains is significantly higher (approx double) so using more fuel.

The mass of the vehicle will however have a big influence on the amount of fuel used when accelerating (provided all other factors ie shape of vehicle are constant).

I appreciate this is a simplified explanation and there are lots of other less significant factors to take into account.