Transit converted to beaver tail. Can't be legal?

[eltax91]

Can this really be legal? Sure it can be safe if it's been well done, but legally what's the crack?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

[Nuttah]

No idea on the legal side and i wouldn't go near it with a barge pole ( although i may very well be ignorant and its perfectly legal and safe) but i think its pretty genius at the same time props to him for building it.

[Martin4x4]

What makes you think this "Can't be legal". It appears to be a pretty conventional transit recovery modification and providing it still meets construction and use regulations there would be no problem.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Sunday 25th January 09:21

[carreauchompeur]

Great thing- ready made business/sideline right there! Would be tempted for my auction purchases.

[Amused2death]

Looks like a single wheeled axle at the back. That's going to reduce it's carrying capacity somewhat.

[TooMany2cvs]

Would it be any different, iyho, if that Transit had started off as one of these factory options?


If so, why?

[Spangles]

eltax91 said:

Can this really be legal? Sure it can be safe if it's been well done, but legally what's the crack?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

It's legal, like most other Transit beavertail conversions, until you put more than a Fiesta on the back when it will weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.

[TooMany2cvs]

Amused2death said:

Looks like a single wheeled axle at the back. That's going to reduce it's carrying capacity somewhat.

Might there also have been a clue in the text saying "It is the single wheel back axle"? The text also says it's 3.5t GVW (quick check on vehicleenquiry confirms revenue weight 3500kg). Make it heavier, by fitting the twin-wheel rear end, and you're going to reduce the payload, not increase it.

However, for a wagon that's in "daily use", it might be a little disconcerting that the last tax expired in Dec '13, and it hasn't been SORNed since...

[22Rgt]

Its a recovery truck and wont show as a normal vehicle would on a status check. The tax which expired in 2013 is most likely when last used as a van.

[eltax91]

My 'legal' question was on the basis that I assumed you'd have to have some form of change of use inspection for such a thing And that I don't recall seeing one with a single wheel rear axle on the road, assumed they'd need to be dual wheeled to carry big cars at least. An uneducated view I guess!

Since the owner says it easily handles freelander and 406 etc, which must be 1800 kg cars at least, how much does a wan like this with all that steel strapped to the chassis actually weigh??

[V8forweekends]

The bloke who recovered my ZT-T recently had a purpose built 64 plate Citroen with single rear wheels. Seemed to work OK.

[TooMany2cvs]

eltax91 said:

Since the owner says it easily handles freelander and 406 etc, which must be 1800 kg cars at least, how much does a wan like this with all that steel strapped to the chassis actually weigh??

3.5t max.

[t400ble]

My iveco recovery truck started out aa a LWB Hi top van

[Spangles]

eltax91 said:

Since the owner says it easily handles freelander and 406 etc, which must be 1800 kg cars at least, how much does a wan like this with all that steel strapped to the chassis actually weigh??

They normally come in about 2.5 tonnes.

[E36Ross]

Can't view link in mobile, I assume it's a White Mk6 converted from a van?

Not sure on legalities, But regards to weight... A very very basic aluminium beaver-tail bodied chassis-cab Transit will weigh 2000ish kgs.

Gross weight is 3500kgs (On most Transit Recoverys) including single wheels, But the weight the single wheel rear can take is lower than a twin-wheel.(Adding both axle weights on my Mk5 Twin-Wheel is around 4000kgs, But Gross weight is still limited to 3500kgs)

If anyone was looking to build one of these, It's possible to get a 4000kgs gross weight Mk4/5 or 4300kgs Mk6+ leaving plenty room for weight.

[Martin4x4]

eltax91 said:

My 'legal' question was on the basis that I assumed you'd have to have some form of change of use inspection for such a thing And that I don't recall seeing one with a single wheel rear axle on the road, assumed they'd need to be dual wheeled to carry big cars at least. An uneducated view I guess!

Since the owner says it easily handles freelander and 406 etc, which must be 1800 kg cars at least, how much does a wan like this with all that steel strapped to the chassis actually weigh??

It falls well short of radical modification so an inspection is not required.

Weight is a problem with transits recovery trucks and is probably why he has avoided a full flatbed to maximise capacity. Weight is legally a hard limit of the recovery vehicle and load. However this is a something that is quite widely flouted by operators.

[topcat1]

Being a van that has had the sides cut off and bulkhead modified I'm not sure if it is legal, IMO if you are using a transit or any similar motor for a flat or beavertail you should start with one which has a proper chassis which is made to take what ever you want to put on it.

Cutting the sides off a mono-box van to me seems like you have taken all the strength out! (Unless someone tells me they have a very compact ladder chassis under the floor). I may well be wrong but personally I would stay clear, if it was legal and lighter than a proper chassis type transit, you would see more of them on the road, but you don't, which may be for a good reason.

[saaby93]

What about this twin wheel at £2000


eBay item number:111568453963

Steering might be a little light

[Fast Bug]

Beaver tails should be built on a chassis cab platform, and not a cut down panel van. I wouldn't touch that with a very long barge pole!

[eltax91]

saaby93 said:

What about this twin wheel at £2000


eBay item number:111568453963

Steering might be a little light

The picture with the honda (FRV) on it is hilarious. Surely if these trucks average 2-2.5t themselves, plus that hinda has to be 2t then these are regularly pushing 4-4.5t as a routine.

So, they are very illegal then?