So I've bought a dually! Advice please?

[MrNoisy]

Rob,

Just dropped you a PM/email.

Cheers

[Big Rod]

shovelheadrob said:

To ecuremap, you need to have it tested as class 4, VOSA DVSA are quite happy about this, you just need to find a testing station that can accommodate the size & weight, I use my local Ford dealership as they can handle the largest Transit tippers & the like & accept it as a class 4, I had a chat with our local DVSA people the other week regarding my 5th wheel trailer & brakes, brake controllers, MOTs etc & he did say that having a class 7 or class 4 MOT was not an issue as he realised that many testers aren't aware of how these truck should be tested & if you were to get stopped & checked they would be looking to see if everything was in good order regardless of having an MOT of either class.

Hey Rob,

I'll need to have my '94 F350 CrewCab Dually MOT'd soon and am a bit unsure on the ins and outs of the classifications.

There's a (not very convincing), plate on the door jamb which states that the GVWR is 3495 Kg which the MOT man says has to be tested as a class 7. Unfortunately it's not a 4x4 so apparently can't be tested as a dual purpose vehicle, (whatever that means).

The previous MOT was a class 4 so I'm a little confused at the moment.

Any pearls of wisdom you can provide me with?

[shovelheadrob]

I think you asked on the Facebook truck forum, if not I'll post it here anyway, if your truck has been down plated to 3500kg or less it means that it can be tested as a class 7 but as it will weigh quite close to that with a full tank of fuel you will be overweight by the time you have a couple of passengers. Class 4 does not have a weight limit (it does technically as M1 passenger vehicles only go up to 5500kg IIRC) so you should get it tested as a class 4, but may struggle to find a class 4 place with a ramp capable of taking it. I use my local Ford Transit dealer & they are fine about it.

[Big Rod]

shovelheadrob said:

I think you asked on the Facebook truck forum, if not I'll post it here anyway, if your truck has been down plated to 3500kg or less it means that it can be tested as a class 7 but as it will weigh quite close to that with a full tank of fuel you will be overweight by the time you have a couple of passengers. Class 4 does not have a weight limit (it does technically as M1 passenger vehicles only go up to 5500kg IIRC) so you should get it tested as a class 4, but may struggle to find a class 4 place with a ramp capable of taking it. I use my local Ford Transit dealer & they are fine about it.

Yeah, I did. Sorry for my repetition. At least I'm consistent. LOL

So ideally I want to have it 'up-plated' to get a class 4 then?

How would I go about getting that done?

[shovelheadrob]

Does it have a weight on the V5? Probably not & the plate you posted before is just something that a previous owner has made up thinking that he's doing the right thing. Is there a door sticker? Usually on the drivers side B pillar, will have the original axle weights, GVW & tyre information.
Just remove the other plate & you should be good to go, it's not like an HGV where changing the weight puts you in a different tax class, although I know some people that tax there f350s as "private HGV" which is quite a bit less than plg!

[Big Rod]

shovelheadrob said:

Does it have a weight on the V5? Probably not & the plate you posted before is just something that a previous owner has made up thinking that he's doing the right thing. Is there a door sticker? Usually on the drivers side B pillar, will have the original axle weights, GVW & tyre information.
Just remove the other plate & you should be good to go, it's not like an HGV where changing the weight puts you in a different tax class, although I know some people that tax there f350s as "private HGV" which is quite a bit less than plg!

There's no mention of weight on the V5 and the plate on the door is the only thing I could find with any info' like that but I'll have another look.

So I can just take the plate off and MOT it as a Class 4? Sounds too easy!

[shovelheadrob]

I would, just have a word with your local DSVA office, they should be able to clarify things.