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TullyK Just got MTs
Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Odometer: 189 Location: Cornwall
1996 Daihatsu Sportrak
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:16 pm Post subject: Could you ever change your towing capacity?
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This isn't something I'm ever expecting to try and do, but I have wondered if you could ever have your towing capacity uprated following engine, chassis, brake mods etc. I assume this would require re-registering the vehicle and possibly VOSA tests or something?
I'm sure realistically it would be easier and more economical to get a different car :L
Thanks in advance
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RichardD Marshall
Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Odometer: 22856 Location: State of Confusion
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject:
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Downgrading is not only possible but, in my experience, an easy process that is mainly a paper trail. I suspect the opposite is not true.
towing capacities are part of type approval and I think you're right - easier, quicker and cheaper to change your car!
__________________________________ Poking the Grim Reaper with a stick then running away. The devil made me do it but God said it was okay with him. |
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TullyK Just got MTs
Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Odometer: 189 Location: Cornwall
1996 Daihatsu Sportrak
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:27 pm Post subject:
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May I ask; what is the benefit is in downgrading?
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jonny jeep Just got MTs
Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Odometer: 171 Location: Greater Manchester
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject:
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I wouldn't say here's any benefit but it's happened to mine. Lift kit and bigger tyres has added to the Jeeps weight but as the max gross vehicle weight or max train weight or whatever it's called hasn't changed, I can now tow less legally than I could when it was stock.
__________________________________ 97 TJ 4.0 sport.
4" lift. 33x12.5x15 KL71s
4.56 gears, ARBs front and rear. |
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RichardD Marshall
Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Odometer: 22856 Location: State of Confusion
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:49 pm Post subject:
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I brought in a 6x6 Volvo ex military ambulance for someone who wanted to convert it into a camper. At 4.4 tonnes it was a private hgv, not a passenger vehicle and could not be driven by him because of his age and licence.
I removed a leaf from each rear spring rendering it a 3500kg max gross weight vehicle and it could then be registered as PLG and driven on newer licences.
There were a lot of conditions but it was mostly a paper exercise.
__________________________________ Poking the Grim Reaper with a stick then running away. The devil made me do it but God said it was okay with him. |
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TullyK Just got MTs
Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Odometer: 189 Location: Cornwall
1996 Daihatsu Sportrak
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject:
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Nice work, thanks for your insight.
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Xpajun Mud Obsessed
Joined: 22 Sep 2008 Odometer: 3245
1988 Mitsubishi Shogun
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject:
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I have a set of old rear brake discs from both a 2.8 Pajero and a 2.5 Discovery - the Pajero ones are about 1.5 inches bigger in diameter and thicker, the Pajero has the bigger engine but the Discovery is rated to tow the bigger load...
Think you'll find it is more what the manufacturer wants to "plate" at than what the vehicle can pull or brake.
Most vehicles have a sub 3501kg limit so more people can buy them and drive them, rarely (at 4x4 size and bigger) does the maximum mean that that is the maximum that the vehicle can hold or tow.
I suggest that it may be possible to ask the manufacturer to uprate your vehicle and supply you with an uprated plate
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cynic-al Mud Obsessed
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Odometer: 6062 Location: scunthorpe
1989 Suzuki SJ
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:35 am Post subject:
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I was once told that it was based on the ability for the fully loaded vehicle and trailer to set off on a 12% incline but I've never seen any evidence.
At the end of the day it's what the manufacturer puts forwards when they submit the vehicle for type approval. Remember cars are sold all over the world and we may not be their primary market so they may be designing the vehicles to comply with other laws than ours.
When I was looking at pickups I asked why the Nissan could only tow 2700kg but the ford and Isuzu could tow 3000kg and was told it was because the auto box wasn't strong enough to tow any more reliably.
Im also told If you buy an x5 with a tow bar fitted from the showroom they fit a different inter cooler and remap the engine to give slightly less power.
HGVs often used to be down plated to get different road tax but when road friendly suspension was introduced they gave a tax incentive to change and the only real bands now are rigid and artic at around £1850 a year.
__________________________________ I know enough to be dangerous. |
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teamidris Mud Obsessed
Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Odometer: 3372 Location: Staffordshire UK
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:49 am Post subject:
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Above is interesting, as Terry Winchman said it was to do with engine cooling? So de-rating the power seems fair (maybe not fair, but engineeringly practical). And it makes sence to have brakes and everything safe for the task. The thing that doesn't seem to be relavent is speed, hence the large train weight of my 3.5tonne transit with the small 2 litre petrol engine
We uprated a volve tractor unit from 38 to 65 tonne by moving the fifth wheel, so having the right parts fitted already is great.
If you do upgrade it would be a cool thread
But I think it will be well hard to do. Like a challenge?
__________________________________ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3l3zoaCabKrgBSULSV1YgA |
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w3526602 Difflock Royalty
Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Odometer: 10758 Location: Glynneath, South Wales
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:38 am Post subject:
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Hi,
The men in suits are interested in PLATED MGW and towing capacity, as it affects the VED.In my days in Enforcement, it was normal to change the registered GVW, sometimes every couple of weeks, so that VED was only paid on the weight of the trailer being pulled.
Somebody turned a Citroen 2CV into a three wheeler, and had no problems getting its tax class changed.
602
__________________________________ Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough. |
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