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Could you ever change your towing capacity?

 
 
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TullyK
Just got MTs


Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Odometer: 189
Location: Cornwall


1996 Daihatsu Sportrak

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:16 pm    Post subject: Could you ever change your towing capacity? Reply with quote

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



PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!

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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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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



PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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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



PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.

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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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work, thanks for your insight.
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Xpajun
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 22 Sep 2008
Odometer: 3245



1988 Mitsubishi Shogun

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 6:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.

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teamidris
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Odometer: 3372
Location: Staffordshire UK



PostPosted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Very Happy
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 Cool
But I think it will be well hard to do. Like a challenge? Wink

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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

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Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough.
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