Up plating a caravan chassis- Legally
Up plating a caravan chassis- Legally
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dino car

Original Poster:

12 posts

119 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
I like most people have a caravan with a very low weight allowance on board.

To increase that allowance of weight I take it i need to find a chassis repair/build manufacturer. They in turn will do some form of chassis inspection, design and improvement design and then install extra bracing. I also think I would also be looking at a new or improved axle set up. After that a replating and and new paper work and vehicle plate.

Anyone know of such a firm? Any where in the UK please?

Is there any other way to increase the weight load on a caravan chassis, legally. That includes documents and weight plates?

normalbloke

8,859 posts

248 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
Surely there can be no more efficient way than to sell it and buy the correct wobble box for your needs?

paintman

7,860 posts

219 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
It sounds like a huge amount of work/effort if you can find anyone that will even take it on.

Unless it's something really exotic you would be better looking into what you can legally tow, what your car of choice can legally tow and p/exing yours for something more suited to your needs.
Chances are you will need to look at a twin axle van.

Might be a bit problematic for this year as caravan sales - new & used - have gone through the roof as people are deciding to holiday here.
Lots of first timers so few decent p/exes.
As things relax - & those who've bought caravans have used them & decided it's not for them - I think we may see a lot of good used vans coming up later this year. If so, it will be a buyer's market.

This choice was one we made years ago, the layout we required was only available in twin axles & came down to a choice of two.
One was well & solidly built but not much in the way of load allowance.
The other was a bit flimsy but could carry loads.
With 3 small children & all the bikes & other paraphernalia we went for the flimsy one. Not as bad as it sounded!




dino car

Original Poster:

12 posts

119 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
Yes and no.
Yes you can but the manufactures of caravans don't have much in any difference on their loads allowed, 150 kg to 200kgis your best option. so yes you can but its not worth the aggravation for what you get.

I want a higher than that allowance. I am trying to work out a way to get a wheel chair person and their accoutrements into a mobile holiday travel set up. Family friend and all that stuff.

Tow car tug is easy. I can get any vehicle and any weight up to 3000kg tow weight. Ideal is 2000 to 2500kg tow weight. Most caravan gross vehicle chassis weights top out at 2000kg, so i am looking to add 500kg to the max vehicle weight on a caravan chassis.So that sort of figure is going to need bracing and axle works

Options i have looked into is swapping out the chassis. To say an Ifor williams one, but that's the wrong suspension system for a caravan. I have looked at a separate made chassis and then adding an air bag system.

We have looked at loads of ideas trying to workout costs and routes and whats involved. Not as easy as it sounds.NOT AS COMMON AS IT SHOULD BE!! Apparently disabled Children and their families dont go on holibobs

Just thought I would offer it out here to see if anyone else has knowledge of upping trailer plating weights and chassis adaptions.

















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normalbloke

8,859 posts

248 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
What about having the extra payload required in the tow vehicle? Ie decent van based people carrier,crew cab or similar?

Ardennes92

710 posts

109 months

Monday 31st May 2021
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Wouldn’t either the caravan or chassis (assuming it is different) manufacturer be able to do this? I always assumed the weights applied were to make the end product match most buyers expectations and “the whole” was therefore over engineered.

paintman

7,860 posts

219 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
You do realise that the person in the wheel chair can't be carried in the caravan whilst under tow?

As normalbloke suggests you might want to look at the towing vehicle.

Perhaps contact the Caravan Club as I'd be surprised if they haven't come across disabled caravanners & some solutions.


rab.s

85 posts

215 months

Monday 31st May 2021
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The stated weight (by the door on a recent van) may not be the max plated chassis weight. This can be for marketing reasons.

If this is the case, you can contact the manufacturer and see if they will sell you a new sticker for the door with a higher mtplm. £80 for Bailey.

Standard AlKo chassis are 1500 or 1650kg on a single axle.

Since the caravan MRO weight includes a gas cylinder, 1/2 tank of water, spare wheel if fitted etc. You can gain allowance by putting these into your car.

smokey mow

1,404 posts

229 months

Monday 31st May 2021
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If you’re adding 500kg capacity then it’s the axle and suspension units you’d need to look at first as these would have been rated for the maximum plated weight of the caravan.

dino car

Original Poster:

12 posts

119 months

Monday 31st May 2021
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Door we have found a source. Access ramp as well. Outside porch to store the chair at night. The weight allowance increase is from a lot of other stuff that travels with them all at the same time. As well as some permanently fitted access kit and what we think is a reasonable allowable weights. Very limited spare room in the tow car due to it being filled with a family already

Like i said loads of research already, just trying here to see what others come out with.

Smurfsarepeopletoo

1,012 posts

86 months

Monday 31st May 2021
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Pickup and 5th wheel caravan, they have a max load of around 4500KG apparently, and much cooler than a normal caravan lol

V8 Bob

302 posts

154 months

Monday 31st May 2021
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Try these they build specialised caravans and will hopefully be able to accommodate your needs

https://www.brookmiller.co.uk/accessible-motorhome...