‘Down rating’ a vehicles gross weight?

[Tom114]

Has anyone had any experience of ‘down rating’ a vehicles gross weight?

I have a post 1997 licence and therefore can only drive a vehicle up to the weight of 3500kgs

The vehicle I want to drive has a gross weight of 4400kgs. Its empty weight is 2600kg.

Before I dive into the issue I just wondered if anyone has had any experience of doing this.

Cheers

Tom

Edited by Tom114 on Saturday 25th December 11:56

[davepoth]

AFAIK there's no way of doing it, the GVW is set by the manufacturer. I assume we're looking at something like a LWB van with a twin wheel rear axle? If it were possible, the only way of doing it would be to return the vehicle to the spec that the manufacturer has for a 3500kg GVW, which would no doubt work out more expensive than just buying a different van, or taking the test to drive a 7.5 tonner.

Edited by davepoth on Saturday 25th December 11:58

[kambites]

I think you can do it with trailers but I've never heard of anyone doing it with an actual vehicle.

[AF1]

Have done it with hgv's in the past, used to involve removing fifth wheel bolts or putting plates in the spring bump stops, not sure whether this is still the case however.

[Eggman]

My understanding was that it's fairly straightforward, although it's not something I've ever done. It can be just a matter changing the weight on the plate and having the vehicle retested, but sometimes you'll need to make small modifications to the suspension (removing leaves or fitting longer bumpstops) and braking system.

I've Googled this lot for you; they seem to be the experts.

[topsparks]

You can do this,as my mate has down rated his sprinter van which was 4500kg,basically he had to fit some different bump-stops to the springs,he still overloads it though!

[tyranical]

topsparks said:

You can do this,as my mate has down rated his sprinter van which was 4500kg,basically he had to fit some different bump-stops to the springs,he still overloads it though!

Your mate is therefore a prick.

[Tom114]

Cheers for all your help!!

The vehicle has helper springs which can be removed

Extended bump stops won’t be too much of a problem

Changes to the braking system might be a bit more of a challenge

Eggman, cheers for the link
Before I start contacting the DVLA/VOSA I think I might contact SVTECH and get a bit more information of them first.

I know it can be done. I’ve seen a few of them for sale which have been down rated however I don’t know whether the procedure has changed in recent years.

[Jem0911]

As stated above. SVTEC are the company you need

I am currently updating a Fame chassised Citroen from 3500 to 4250 for a catering conversion.

As far as I can see it's a paperwork excersise.

[MJK 24]

IIt's just a paperwork exercise. Nothing more and certainly no modifications necessary.

What do you intend to use your vehicle for? 900kgs isn't a lot especially if it includes driver, fuel, passengers etc.

[mph1977]

sometimes it's paperwork exercise ( especially up rating 3500 kg vans to 3700 or 3900 as Notwork Fail failed to do with their Sprinter based Incident Command Units but subsequent users have had to do ) and sometimes there are mods required to suspension and brakes.

in the OPs case - it depends what the vehicle is and what use s/he intends to put it to , as a 900 kg payload is not a lot considering 3 people and a tank of diesel could easily account for more than a third of that and possibly up to half depending o nthe size of the people and the size of the tank

there are also issues with front axle weights in vans, certain configurations and conversions on the second series Renault Master have had great problems and to stay legal without having the front axles changed require specific loading instructions and are limited to the fuel fill they can have unless you have 2 * 8 stone girls crewing and in the case of an Ambulance conversion are limited in the number of persons that can be carried to 4 including the crew ....

Edited by mph1977 on Saturday 25th December 18:47

[jamiebae]

People do it a lot with horse boxes so it's fairly simple really, in fact it's normally just paperwork and a new chassis plate.

[v8will]

Tom114 said:

Has anyone had any experience of ‘down rating’ a vehicles gross weight?

I have a post 1997 licence and therefore can only drive a vehicle up to the weight of 3500kgs

The vehicle I want to drive has a gross weight of 4400kgs. Its empty weight is 2600kg.

Before I dive into the issue I just wondered if anyone has had any experience of doing this.

Cheers

Tom

Edited by Tom114 on Saturday 25th December 11:56

Why? Surely it is cheaper/less hassle/more flexible to do either your C1 or C license.

[Sootyboy]

I have the same issue as the OP I also passed my test after 1997 and can only use a van up-to 3500kg. The van I need is 3850kg. Apparently it's just a paperwork exercise. I can apply to down rate it to 3500kg and it doesn't require any mechanical engineering. I will let you know how I get on. Cheers Mike

[rob_vickery]

v8will said:

Why? Surely it is cheaper/less hassle/more flexible to do either your C1 or C license.

Hi Tom
how did you get on please?
Rob

[warneruk2004]

Good Morning to you all. I am in the process of down rating a 7.5 tonne lorry to 3.5 tonne and wanted to share with you the simplicity of how this process works. I do need to forewarn you all i am still only half way through and will update you when this is complete, but so far so good.
Now i spent weeks reading page after page and speaking with countless so called expert, i even spoke with companies that told me it was complicated process and that they do it professionally and could under take the work for ££££££.
Thus far ive spent 15 minutes filling paper work in and scanning documents, 1 hour round trip to a weigh bridge and all been well it will cost me a huge sum of £27 to complete the task. Thats £27 and not £270 to clarify.
So step by step.
Step 1. Download a VTG10 form, and fill in Sections 1, fill in section 2 (ignoring the trailer ministry number and the previous VRM(REG NO)). fill in section 3 with your nearest test center (location number not essential) Section 4, ill come onto that shortly, Section 5, So far ive only filled out contact details, and listed my full intentions of down rating and its intended use, dimensions section - i have only filled out the overall length and width, and section 6 self explanatory as is section 7.
Step 2. scan in your VTG 6 / Ministry Plate / VOSA Plate - this should be found within the cab.
Step 3. Scan in V5C / Registration Certificate - ( I did front cover and first Page)
Step 4. Take your vehicle to an accredited/approved weigh bridge, you can find this online or by contacting vosa/dvsa, - Prices vary from £7 to £12 - make sure you are given a weigh bridge certificate clearly showing your reg number and the current weight of your vehicle.
step 4. use this link https://www.gov.uk/apply-vehicle-test-certificate-...
fill in this form and submit all your documents. and then wait for the DVSA to contact you to confirm everything, after which they will ask you for your payment of £27.

Its actually laughable how easy this has been and how all these companies are try to over complicate it and make money from it.

Like i said i will update you when this is all complete.

Please feel free to get in touch if you need any further help.

Good Luck.
Richard

[Garfieldinshades]

warneruk2004 said:

Good Morning to you all. I am in the process of down rating a 7.5 tonne lorry to 3.5 tonne and wanted to share with you the simplicity of how this process works. I do need to forewarn you all i am still only half way through and will update you when this is complete, but so far so good.
Now i spent weeks reading page after page and speaking with countless so called expert, i even spoke with companies that told me it was complicated process and that they do it professionally and could under take the work for ££££££.
Thus far ive spent 15 minutes filling paper work in and scanning documents, 1 hour round trip to a weigh bridge and all been well it will cost me a huge sum of £27 to complete the task. Thats £27 and not £270 to clarify.
So step by step.
Step 1. Download a VTG10 form, and fill in Sections 1, fill in section 2 (ignoring the trailer ministry number and the previous VRM(REG NO)). fill in section 3 with your nearest test center (location number not essential) Section 4, ill come onto that shortly, Section 5, So far ive only filled out contact details, and listed my full intentions of down rating and its intended use, dimensions section - i have only filled out the overall length and width, and section 6 self explanatory as is section 7.
Step 2. scan in your VTG 6 / Ministry Plate / VOSA Plate - this should be found within the cab.
Step 3. Scan in V5C / Registration Certificate - ( I did front cover and first Page)
Step 4. Take your vehicle to an accredited/approved weigh bridge, you can find this online or by contacting vosa/dvsa, - Prices vary from £7 to £12 - make sure you are given a weigh bridge certificate clearly showing your reg number and the current weight of your vehicle.
step 4. use this link https://www.gov.uk/apply-vehicle-test-certificate-...
fill in this form and submit all your documents. and then wait for the DVSA to contact you to confirm everything, after which they will ask you for your payment of £27.

Its actually laughable how easy this has been and how all these companies are try to over complicate it and make money from it.

Like i said i will update you when this is all complete.

Please feel free to get in touch if you need any further help.

Good Luck.
Richard

How did you get on with this? I am about to do the same thing and would rather do it myself than pay through the nose!!

[skippy46]

warneruk2004 Hi how did you get on with your down plating I'm looking at down plating a 3.900 down to a 3.400 any help will appreciated