The diesel controversy

I didn't need to on my Sprinter. The insurer did that automatically for me without my knowledge as a result of the 'home conversion insurance' we took out on it. I was keeping the van as a 'van' because we use it for everything including moving plasterboard, mopeds, as a bus for kids & friends etc. as well as a low spec day van/motorhome. It had an unexpected beneficial side effect, though, recent changes in MOT rules have introduced a 3 tonne GVW limit for many MOT stations. However as our 3.5 tonne GVW Sprinter is a 'motorhome', it's exempt from the way the rules were worded & we can continue using our old MOT station even though their GVW limit is now 3 tonnes not the 3.5 tonnes the approval used to give. Every year for the last 4 years the Department of Transport has sent them a letter saying this loophole will be closed soon, but they haven't done so yet.

Unfortunately that van, now nearly 19 years old, is rather badly affected by rust & will be sold by Saturday lunchtime (I hope... if anyone bids for her...). We'll miss her, had her 16 years and spent many holidays in her from the time the kids were just old enough to go camping and could be trusted in a tent overnight (well, you don't want the kids in the van with you, do you?).

Regards,

Richard.

My Fiat Camper van has a GVW of 4000 kg and is allowed to do 70 on a dual carriage way.

The main reason they don't have the carrying capacity is that they are soooooooo heavy anyway. Brother had an Autocruise tracker on a Fiat Doublo and was overloaded if it had 3 passengers unladen weight was 150 kg below max

Edited By Limpet on 01/07/2017 22:06:15

Edited By Limpet on 01/07/2017 22:06:54

My Fiat Camper van has a GVW of 4000 kg and is allowed to do 70 on a dual carriage way

Somehow I doubt if that is correct. Only small vans are allowed to do up to 70mph on dual carriage ways. Large vans are limited to 60mph. It is only on motorways that large vans can travel at up to 70mph. I won't argue about it but advise you to check it out before you get a ticket!

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Well that's a minefield! How do you define unladen weight on a motorhome? Mine carries over 1000kg of supplies, let alone the passengers!

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-weights-explained

I've seen vans tailgating cars in the outside lane on motorways at 90+ mph, why do they even make vans that can do 100mph? Shouldn't all vans have speed limiters to prevent them going over 70.

Isn't there a question of VAT in that a commercial van is VAT exempt and it you convert it, ie fit windows you have to inform HM revenue and customs. If so it's based on the value of the vehicle to determine the amount to be paid. You should present it for valuation after the window apertures have been cut out but before the windows are fitted.

Vans are not exempt anymore but you can claim VAT on any vehicle if its used only for your business, https://www.gov.uk/reclaim-vat/cars

Martin P

Under EU rules a camper-van under 3.5 metric tons rated capacity is the same class vehicle as a normal car and the same laws apply. I doubt that it will be high on Mrs. May's list to change those rules after Brexit!

Some town councils in France have even been taken to court for trying to ban parking for camper-vans from parking where cars are allowed to park. The only exception allowed is a height restriction where there is a danger from low bridges, overhanging branches etc.

Russell.

I think it's broadly the same here. Vehicles over 3.5t GVW don't require an operator's licence, so can usually be parked wherever you can park a car. Vehicles requiring an operator's licence need to be (normally) parked off the road at a nominated, suitable "operating centre". That's why you see Transits parked everywhere but hardly ever see a 7.5 tonner. It also explains why used Transit vans are often more expensive than their larger cousins.

Murray

This on the news today.

**LINK**

Are the Germans bonkers?! Even if they could build a clean Diesel would anyone be stupid or naive enough to trust the Germans to make it. The Japanese maybe, or perhaps a US company based in California but surely not the Germans.

They obviously haven't read that France, the U.K, Norway and Holland all want to ban ICE cars. Spain, Mexico and India also have Diesel bans planned. Even some German cities want to limit Diesel use.

You can make diesels clean. Volvo did in the 1970's by fitting air filters to the exhaust system which removed all the soot particles.

Any problem can be solved, it all boils down to how much you want to pay.

New diesels are all fitted with a DPF (diesel particle filter). The problem is apparently the nano-particles which can clearly pass through the smallest of filter media available, for the flow rate envisaged. Oxides of nitrogen are not affected by any filter medium - they need a 'cat' in the line to convert them to nitrogen and oxygen. The oxides of nitrogen emissions were the ones that VW were caught out on.