Singapore - Van or trailer or...

[Rich_AR]

Where to start! As per usual with this country there are silly rules before trying to do something out of the ordinary.

Ok so I'd like to buy a van to ship around my racebike to PG and Sepang. I normally use a local company to do it, but it's becoming inconvenient. In order to buy a commercial vehicle in SG I must register my own company. Easily done. To drive a G plate into Malaysia is a totally different ball game if you do it legally. This means owning a company in MY, with a registered address, proof of business bank accounts, photo of business premises... the list goes on. Basically it's a pain in the arse. Other option is to pay 'kopi' money and bribe ones way in if stopped... but of course there are risks of impounding the van.

Second option is buy a private car that can pull a trailer (have a tow bar fitted). To own a trailer there are more rules, registrations, tax and insurance to pay. Benefit is I can freely enter MY without issue. Downside is coughing up more money for something to simply pull a trailer.

So PH thoughts or more ideas welcome or tell me I'm crazy.

[Rich_AR]

alfaman said:

buy an old MPV and remove the rear seats - MPV doesnt count as a commercial vehicle ?

This is a valid point which I've also started to look at.

[Rich_AR]

Any recommendations of large MPV's?

[Rich_AR]

alfaman said:

I would have thought something like an old Chrysler Grand Voyager or Toyota of similar size would fit in a motorbike? - the other option would be a large 'pickup derived' MPV ... a Nissan Patrol would be good and virtually indestructable.

Voyager is a good shout as from 2004 on-wards the rear seats fold flat into the floor (so I could use it as a normal drive... shameful however...)

However I'm not sure how a American car would fair in Singapore in terms of parts.

John - You know a lot about this stuff, whats your thoughts?

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

Ok, here is how you do the trailer thing, seems simple enough!

Obviously one must own a trailer that is LTA approved, in Kenneth's case it's a Brian James trailer from UK which is TUV approved. There are numerous makes from Europe and the US to choose from, check with LTA the ones recognized before importing one. 

Second, you must own a vehicle capable of adding a tow hook. We help Kenneth register his Volvo XC90 for the task. June also provided details to LTA of the specifications and so on to prove towing worthiness from Volvo, the info was provided by wearnes auto. 

Thirdly, you must take a practical test to tow the trailer and pass it of course. Kenneth took his test at Singapore safety driving centre( SSDC) located at Ang mo kio. 

From my understanding, you can tow either a vehicle or a boat that does not exceed a certain length, weight and width. Kenneth had to join the Singapore Motorsports association to register the Ariel atom for Motorsports activities. Notify them on when the vehicle is parked or stored when it's in Singapore.  In his case, his home in Winsor park and Garage R. If your home is a condominium or apartment, you must obtain a written permit from the strata management's office and register the address with SMSA. 

Submit to LTA and get an approval letter, once at the Sin and Malaysian customs, provide the documents for clearance and you ready to go. That's it. 

Hi John

Thanks for the reply mate.

I've come to the decision I'm just going to buy a van. I've registered a company in SG (which means I can legally buy one). It's easier, means I can store more st in it and my racebike won't get wet. Plus the cost of buying a van (Vito or Transporter) isn't that spendy either compared to a decent towing car or st MPV.

I was at Sepang this weekend and spoke with a few guys who own vans in SG. They just drive up and never seem to have any issues with the Malaysian immigration, they just look at the bike in the back and check it's in your name (so you're not carrying a bike/s for financial gain etc).

Berw said:

Can you tow in Singapore? I have a legal trailer in malaysia for my Race car they are very rare, best bet for accurate info is Brett Macnamara at BMI in Ipoh he has a web site and makes road legal bike trailers in Malaysia, I have a phone number if you PM me. All the trailers you will have seen at Sepang are made by Bret.
Have you looked at leaving your race bike down at the workshop by the go kart track? I thought they rented out space and did service on track bikes.
You can rent a garage from April to December each year, which covers the period the track is open. I may know a few people who have space in their garage at Sepang for a bike, (mine is full), rental for a 20ft by 12 foot garage, (the ones on the right after the tunnel) is 800Rm a month, but they are all full now and the current people will get first refusal next year so you will need to share with some one who as space.

I spoke to a guy on Friday who has one of Bret's trailers actually. He' got it LTA approved and tows it with his Golf GTI.

I'd like to keep it at Sepang, but I'll be racing the BRS series at Pasir Gudang next year as well. Plus I like to tinker.

Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 24th September 03:24

[Rich_AR]

Well yesterday I collected my new van. Bought a 2002 Merc Vito. Still cringing at how much it cost, but hopefully it will do to trick. I best get a stash of kopi money at the ready...

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

Bet someone within your bike crowd will be able to give you company details to dual register it.

One of my first cars in Singapore was a merc Vito Van, a 108. There is a simple ECU flash and intake upgrade to get a lot more power out of it for the long trek up the NS highway!!

At least it should have 8 or 9 years COE left so will still have a good value in a few years time!

I'm already working on that with someone I know.

ECU flash and intake upgrade! I like the sound of this... Googling...

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

It was a long time ago now but seem to remember there were a few options about, the 108, 113 etc are all the same basic engine just different maps etc

I've got the 108. It's a tad slow that's for sure.

Need to figure out how that 70 kmph speed limiter works as well.

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

I thought it was just an irritating buzzer and a flashing light rather than any physical limiter .....

Most commercial vehicles I have driven here can certainly go over their stickered legal speed

I only drove it back home last night via Geylang (curb crawling) so did't hit 70. I'll report back.

Any ideas who does ECU tuning on a dirty smoker?

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

Guys that look after my car have no shame, they will do anything, think they even turbo'ed their works Hiace when bored one day!

Awesome!

Which garage do you use? Any lobang?

[Rich_AR]

XJSJohn said:

Rich_AR said:

Need to figure out how that 70 kmph speed limiter works as well.

I thought it was just an irritating buzzer and a flashing light rather than any physical limiter .....

Most commercial vehicles I have driven here can certainly go over their stickered legal speed

Well after I gave it a blast on the ECP it so happens the speed limiter was actually the Limp mode! So it wouldn't rev past 3k. After checking pipes, I found the garage had forgot to reconnect the inlet pressure sensor properly when they serviced it. All good now and no annoying sounds either!