MK6 18Ft Recovery Help with 4.25 uprate Towing Isuues Law

[Chigwellolian]

I spoke with chassis developments, the guy said that although the mk6 Transit can be worked at 4.25ton and there are a lot of them out there,the only persons allowed to have the truck at this weight was government departments.

Police, Ambulance and Local authority, I presume that Ford designed the twin wheeler to go to 4.25 ton with say a 16 seat minibus with 16 well fed coppers an all their riot gear, but the police would not want to fall foul of VOSA's weight limits.

Same goes for the Ambulance service, with all the equipment they carry and a tail lift.

It would seem that Fords did not want to incurr the fitting of tachographs as standard across the fleet of MK6 3500gvw (4.25 ton) therby saving lots of money.

Chassis developments said that it could not be uprated, VOSA are no help.

So I won't be carrying any S class merc's anytime soon.

[transitgeoff]

thats rubbish, my friend bought a 430 new,S&A Vehicle repairs twin wheel jumbo van

[Chigwellolian]

I'm only posting what I was told, Chassis developments literally said"sorry your's cannot be done.

I pointed out about the 4.25 ton in the handbook, and the explanation was what I have posted above. Government vehicles.

I phoned VOSA and they passed me around a few departments, I was told I could NOT just turn up and ask for advice.

[sc_BK]

Another good recovery body builder is "Towing and Trailers", no idea if they uprate suspensions but they certanly feckin good beavertails



Here's one of their ebay ads - link

[Chigwellolian]

Thanks sc_BK but the truck is already finished, complete with uprated rear springs.

I think it is just now a case of getting a tacho fitted, I have asked VOSA what was required to get the vehicle uprated, but they activly discourage me from just turning up to have the truck inspected.

Like Transit Geoff has said no one has ever done it, looks like loads of red tape, even fords don't know how it's done, they just send them to chassis developments and they come back plated.

I have spoken to chassis developments and they said it is only government vehicles, 16 seat minibusses and ambulances, not twin wheel chassis cabs.

[sc_BK]

Aye what I was meaning is speak to Pete at T&T and see if he's ever uprated a vehicle before, he might know the way to go about it


Also if you're ever needing any truck/trailer parts their prices and service are very good

[Chigwellolian]

Just spoke with Pete @ Towing and Trailers, he said that the chassis IS different on the 4.25 ton Transits, so an uprate of the 3500 GVW is not possible.

[apples26]

so whats the laws on 3500 weight spec lift recovery trucks????

[Chigwellolian]

I should imagine that the 3500GVW is the same. It is whatever maximum weight the back axle is plated to take.

2 ton (including the body) on the rear axle and 1.5 on the front = 3500

I have seen a lot of confusion over recoveries being marked as MOT exempt, especially by bandits with sheds on Ebay.

General rule is if it can carry one on the back it's a Car Transporter and needs an MOT.

7.5 Ton Beaver tails or Tilt an Slides Need a Plate/MOT/Ticket

Spec lifts are ONLY MOT exempt if they go more than 4ton and SOLELY used for Breakdown recoveries (no trips to the shops)

So a 3.5ton Transit is NOT exempt and needs an MOT

But A 4 ton IVECO, 6 Ton Merc an 7.5 Ton Truck Spec lift are Exempt HOWEVER

Any Vehicle has to be maintained to a road worthy standard, bald tyres, no floor, and duff brakes will get you nicked.

Thats the Law as I undersatnd it.