Wtf what do I need to drive this?
Wtf what do I need to drive this?
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Slow

Original Poster:

6,973 posts

166 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
quotequote all
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Ford-F350/25474060...

2.8 ton weight according to google which I would say ok thats just a B class as its basically same weight as my Range Rover however it does have a almost 2 ton payload. I dont need this payload or plan to use it.

The logbook according to seller states no weights and just "plg". Google provides these numbers 4.5ton GVWR and 5.6 ton towing capacity.



Looking for a pickup to tow 3.5 ton, modern pickups didnt really hit that till 2012/10k+ price wise, this however would work if i can tow that much on my B+E.


PugwasHDJ80

7,679 posts

250 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
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You need a photo of the chassis plate

If you have a pre 97 b+e then the max plated train weight you can tow is up to 8250kg being a 7.5tomme lorry and an unbraked 750kg trailer.

Theoretically ou could downplate the f350 to 3.5tomme gross vehicle weight and a 3.5tonne trailer giving a gross train weight of 7tonne made up of a 2.8tonne vehicle, 700kg in the vehicle and 3500kg towed.

The chassis plate may already show this.

HustleRussell

26,498 posts

189 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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As per responses in the trailer and towing thread, over 3,500kg MAM on the towing vehicle and your post ‘97 licence mean this is a C+e.

Slow

Original Poster:

6,973 posts

166 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Just asked the seller to look for the chassis plate to see if it was downrated. I find it odd the logbook states no weights or anything which would give a clue as I bet it is easy to not be in the know and just buy it thinking stay under 3.5 when loaded and your good.

sparkythecat

8,097 posts

284 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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It will be OK towing forwards in a straight line, but it will be a pig to manoeuvre and reverse especially in confined spaces. It's probably got the turning circle of a battleship too.
A mate of mine tried a similar rig to tow a vehicle recovery trailer. He didnt keep it long and soon wet back to a Toyota Amazon Landcruiser which is the ideal towing vehicle for heavy loads.

Edited by sparkythecat on Friday 15th January 00:39

HustleRussell

26,498 posts

189 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Slow said:
Just asked the seller to look for the chassis plate to see if it was downrated. I find it odd the logbook states no weights or anything which would give a clue as I bet it is easy to not be in the know and just buy it thinking stay under 3.5 when loaded and your good.
I always played the game, managing to tow small cars legally using a ‘B’, but I always thought you’d get away with breaking the towing laws. It’d have to be a pretty clued up traffic officer to identify minor indiscretions.

I did my B+e in the end so that I wouldn’t have to fret about it so much when changing cars or borrowing trailers.

Thing is you could get away with it for years or you could lose everything if you have an accident and the police and insurance companies get interested.

If you want to be legal, you need a C+e. Two reasons;
-towing vehicle MAM greater than 3,500kg
-trailer weight such that the train weight will massively exceed the 3,500kg / 4,250kg permissible as a maximum on a ‘B’.

R0G in the towing thread is something of an authority on these rules, you have his answer, cross posting like this suggests to me that you’re just looking for somebody to tell you it’s fine when it definitely isn’t for several reasons.

Towing thread is full of people concerned that their Octavia etc is too heavy and you’re pitching up with a train weight of eight tonnes!

Slow

Original Poster:

6,973 posts

166 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
I always played the game, managing to tow small cars legally using a ‘B’, but I always thought you’d get away with breaking the towing laws. It’d have to be a pretty clued up traffic officer to identify minor indiscretions.

I did my B+e in the end so that I wouldn’t have to fret about it so much when changing cars or borrowing trailers.

Thing is you could get away with it for years or you could lose everything if you have an accident and the police and insurance companies get interested.

If you want to be legal, you need a C+e. Two reasons;
-towing vehicle MAM greater than 3,500kg
-trailer weight such that the train weight will massively exceed the 3,500kg / 4,250kg permissible as a maximum on a ‘B’.

R0G in the towing thread is something of an authority on these rules, you have his answer, cross posting like this suggests to me that you’re just looking for somebody to tell you it’s fine when it definitely isn’t for several reasons.

Towing thread is full of people concerned that their Octavia etc is too heavy and you’re pitching up with a train weight of eight tonnes!
I realise if it isnt downplated it is miles over now it has been explained about the chassis plate, but without the logbook stating weights I wasnt sure if it was a case of as per weight when pulled over.

I have previously been running at a 7ton train weight with a loaded Range Rover towing a Range Rover on a plant trailer so a 8 ton weight doesnt sound too bad haha.

I now need a pickup truck so sadly the large towing capacity cheap 4x4s are gone. Passed my trailer test at 19 and debating just getting my stupid c1 test when lockdown is finished to not worry about this stuff in the future. We used to own a ex army truck I wasnt able to drive due to my age but my mother could!

I ruin my cars with dings/dents/offroad abuse so trying to get the cheapest way into a pickup towing 3.5 ton and I really dont want another defender.


Slow

Original Poster:

6,973 posts

166 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
It will be OK towing forwards in a straight line, but it will be a pig to manoeuvre and reverse especially in confined spaces. It's probably got the turning circle of a battleship too.
A mate of mine tried a similar rig to tow a vehicle recovery trailer. He didnt keep it long and soon wet back to a Toyota Amazon Landcruiser which is the ideal towing vehicle for heavy loads.

Edited by sparkythecat on Friday 15th January 00:39
I need a pickup or I would keep my Range Rover!

Its all for countryside use in the empty highlands of Scotland so space hopefully shouldnt be an issue smile

Iminquarantine

2,168 posts

73 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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If you need a pick up just take care to check where the LPG tank is. Might be eating some of your load area.

SiH

1,858 posts

276 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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I would recommend an RYA Yachtmaster course for something like that! (I'm only jealous, that looks awesome!)

helix402

7,913 posts

211 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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A chest wig, stetson and medallion.

Slow

Original Poster:

6,973 posts

166 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Guy came back to me saying there is a metallic sticker which just says 6198lbs (2.8ton) which is the weight of it with no mention of anything else. He can’t see a chassis plate anywhere on it.


HustleRussell

26,498 posts

189 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Ask Ford what the gross weight is?

If Google says it’s 4,500kg then I guess it will be there or there abouts

robwilk

818 posts

209 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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Slow said:
Guy came back to me saying there is a metallic sticker which just says 6198lbs (2.8ton) which is the weight of it with no mention of anything else. He can’t see a chassis plate anywhere on it.
Not sure if it helps but I imported a dodge ram in 2006 and had it SVA'd ? when doing this, part of the test was a plate had to be permanently fixed to a visible area ( the door edge in my case ) the plate had to include gross weights axles weights and towing max weight etc,this allowed it to be SVA'd as a commercial. no need to change the rear lights red indicators etc and no need for the repeat indicators on the wings.
I have noticed on this one it has the side repeaters not sure on the rear lights which may point to it being imported as a car, not sure if that makes any difference to the towing weights. or if it actually affects anything.

Gareth79

9,022 posts

275 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
robwilk said:
Slow said:
Guy came back to me saying there is a metallic sticker which just says 6198lbs (2.8ton) which is the weight of it with no mention of anything else. He can’t see a chassis plate anywhere on it.
Not sure if it helps but I imported a dodge ram in 2006 and had it SVA'd ? when doing this, part of the test was a plate had to be permanently fixed to a visible area ( the door edge in my case ) the plate had to include gross weights axles weights and towing max weight etc,this allowed it to be SVA'd as a commercial. no need to change the rear lights red indicators etc and no need for the repeat indicators on the wings.
I have noticed on this one it has the side repeaters not sure on the rear lights which may point to it being imported as a car, not sure if that makes any difference to the towing weights. or if it actually affects anything.
Pretty sure an SVA/IVA would always require amber indicators (and other lighting correct to UK law) regardless of category.

un1corn

2,143 posts

166 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Slow said:
Guy came back to me saying there is a metallic sticker which just says 6198lbs (2.8ton) which is the weight of it with no mention of anything else. He can’t see a chassis plate anywhere on it.
Im pretty certain because its American, they dont care about things like weight limits. Just drive whatever, because 'murica. I wouldnt expect a detailed breakdown of various weights like us.

robwilk

818 posts

209 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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Gareth79 said:
robwilk said:
Slow said:
Guy came back to me saying there is a metallic sticker which just says 6198lbs (2.8ton) which is the weight of it with no mention of anything else. He can’t see a chassis plate anywhere on it.
Not sure if it helps but I imported a dodge ram in 2006 and had it SVA'd ? when doing this, part of the test was a plate had to be permanently fixed to a visible area ( the door edge in my case ) the plate had to include gross weights axles weights and towing max weight etc,this allowed it to be SVA'd as a commercial. no need to change the rear lights red indicators etc and no need for the repeat indicators on the wings.
I have noticed on this one it has the side repeaters not sure on the rear lights which may point to it being imported as a car, not sure if that makes any difference to the towing weights. or if it actually affects anything.
Pretty sure an SVA/IVA would always require amber indicators (and other lighting correct to UK law) regardless of category.
Nope if it was a registered for the SVA commercial no changes to the lights required , I was surprised at this as I had been quoted around £800 to get the ram though the sva test so i phoned up the test centre and they said book it in and see what it fails on, which I did .
The only problems where the plate with the weights on and a loose cable from the block heater ( it was from Canada)
so the modifications cost £10 to get a plate made and i pop riveted it to the door and cabled tied the heater cable up.
No mods to the lights what so ever.

944 Man

1,952 posts

161 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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Your options are: plate it down to 3.5t and drive it on a car licence or leave it at 4.8t or whatever and drive it on a grandfathered C1 entitlement, or take a C1 (or more sensibly C, which gives you C1 and costs the same) test.

If you want to pull a trailer youll need a C1+E to add to the above if you do not downplate it.

fttm

4,562 posts

164 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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Beware the 5.4 has a reputation for blowing out spark plugs , and also going bang just for the sake of it .

Disco You

3,748 posts

209 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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That driver’s seat is in quite the state for just 83k miles.