BeaverTail and Weight!

[miketurner]

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a ford transit with a beaver tail, I only have a car license so this limits me to 3500kg max weight, I have been unable to find any information on what to look out for, what maximium weight of car I will be able to take etc.. please could some one help provide information and suggestions.

Thanks.

Mike.

[Luke]

they are all different due to the back construction an alloy back will beable to take more than a steel one - but costs more and doesnt take as much abuse

you would need to weight the van and take that off 3500 they are roughly around 2 tons ish

[miketurner]

Cheers Luke, ok so I need to check the weight before buying. So how do you check this? Where can I find the information? If there anything else I need to know when transporting vehicles, extra license/ operators license etc?? Also when MOTing a vehicle like this do you go to a standard station or somewhere special. Some cars will be cars I have purchased for myself others will be for other people for a price.

Michael.

[Luke]

its tricky as the weight wont be on the vin plate - but the seller should know it

as far as im aware you dont need an operators licence - but i cant be sure

[baby stepside]

my local trading standards used to have a weigh bridge
most scrap metal dealers have a weigh bridge (usually a £5 for the check)
thing is you cant trust the seller to tell you the all up weight as he will more than likely lie so you need to really weigh it yourself
the one i built (with some help ) i made sure it came in under 2000kilo as otherwise you can be overweight as soon as you put an average family saloon on
most small cars like fiestas corsas etc i always reckon weigh a tonne so it gives you some leeway
main thing is keep the truck tidy and legal as there are many vosa vans knocking about and it seems their pet hates are recovery/car transporters and i can see why as quite a few are ill maintained overweight and probably pulling a trailer (big no-no ) with a r=transit

[Luke]

most scrap metal dealers have a weigh bridge (usually a £5 for the check)

you could always weigh in a small amount of scrap - even an empty tin of beans to get the check done for free

[transitgeoff]

most scrap metal dealers have a weigh bridge (usually a £5 for the check)

you could always weigh in a small amount of scrap - even an empty tin of beans to get the check done for free

typical tight Northener

[andy a]

Weight is the main concern with a 3.5 tonner

[andy a]

Almost forgot, if that isn't enough watch how you load cars (facing forwards or backwards) as putting some cars on frontwards will put the front axle overloaded before you've even started, fun aint it

[miketurner]

Wow thanks guy for all this really useful information.

I was aware of the muppets with the MOT thing and arn't there regulations that if it is exempt then if you drive it for any other reason you need an MOT I think I would want an MOT anyway just in case. Makes you worry how many people are breaking the rules though and not knowing.

I guess its time to loose some weight as well then, I better get to the gym

Out of interest how often has your weight been checked? Don't worry I'm not looking to break the rules, just interested.

Also in real terms (I know it depends on the weight of the van) what is a realistic biggest vehicle you are going to get on a van?

Also if if I purchased a van and it was a little chubby are there any tips to trim some weight?

Sorry for all the questions but I don't like going into things blind and like to know what I am getting myself into.

Thanks.

[andy a]

...

[miketurner]

So what actually happens if you are overweight? What is the punishment? Are there allowances for eating to much that day;-)

Thanks for the tips on trimming weight, any one else got any suggestions.

So guess what I will need to do really is trim the c**p and keep getting weighed untill I get the van to 2000kg or less.

Any more tips?

mike.

[baby stepside]

i think andy covered it pretty well
as i said keep the truck clean
dont have the dash full of crap
dont use your mobile while driving
if in doubt about a vehicle making you overloaded get someone else to shift it,thats what i do
tie the load down properly,show the authorities you are professional
dont run on red
dont affix silly lights just usefull ones
a big puller is having your name and details on the truck as its seen as you are running a company,just a consideration in the bigger picture of making a living

[FredTransit]

So what actually happens if you are overweight? What is the punishment? Are there allowances for eating to much that day;-)

Thanks for the tips on trimming weight, any one else got any suggestions.

So guess what I will need to do really is trim the c**p and keep getting weighed untill I get the van to 2000kg or less.

Any more tips?

mike.

Get some very big springs, if the truck doesn't have them already, the standard springs are only 2 leaf. The penalty for overweight is 3 points on your license and a fine, how much depends on how much overloaded and if it's the first time. Also commercial insurers take a dim view of points on your license for overloading. I was pulled once and was charged with being 10% on the front axle, but got away with it as I didn't hear of a court case (still haven't, it was years ago) withing 6 months of the offense.

[andy a]

Get some very big springs

I think VOSA may also know the tell tale signs