ianM Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 we have a 2013 Autosleeper Nuevo. The engine plate and DVLA records show 3300 kilos. Does anyone know if it is possible to up plate to 3500 kilos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 The answer is almost certainly "YES". This 2015 ASOF thread discussed increasing a Nuevo's GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) from 3300kg to 3500kg. https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t15961-why-do-as-only-plate-nuevo-eks-at-3300-kg The SVTech company was mentioned http://www.svtech.co.uk/vehicles/motorhomes/ and SVTech's charge for a 'paper only' exercise (ie. where no modifications to the motorhome itself are required) is likely to be £300-£400 nowadays. SVTech would provide an assessment of your motorhome based on the information you give them and (assuming up-plating is practicable) would send you the necessary forms for you to apply to the DVLA for a GVW increase, plus a label to stick on your motorhome. Another company offering this type of service is "Van Weight Engineering" (VWE) https://www.vanweightengineering.com/services VWE may be cheaper and the company was discussed here last January https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/57947-van-weight-engineering/ It should be possible to DIY a 3300kg to 3500kg change by liaising directly with the DVLA, as the motorhome's UK-registration class (Private/Light Goods) would not alter and the weight increase is quite small. A couple of DIY-related links https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/36169-uprating-vehicle-weight-yourself/ https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/uprating-gross-weight.149768/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 It will depend, to some extent, why you want to up-plate your van. If you have checked both front, and rear, axle loads, as well as overall weight, at a weighbridge, with your van fully laden (meaning at the maximum weight at which you might drive it), and the only potential problem lies with its total weight compared to its MAM, then fine. However, if either axle is close to its maximum permitted load, be very cautious. Normal up-plating will not allow any increase in the maximum individual axle loads, to gain which some form of suspension modification, plus (possibly) uprated tyres, may be necessary. If the problem is the rear axle only, this may be achieved by adding air assistance to that axle, which is a fairly low cost fix, albeit you will be likely to need uprated tyres to match the enhanced axle load. You will then find potential difficulty with your existing (presumed) spare wheel, which will be inadequate for use at the rear as a) it will not match the opposite (uprated) tyre and, b) will in any case be overloaded. This could be overcome by uprating all five (including spare) tyres to the new, higher, rating required for the rear axle, but will add considerably to the cost. However, if the problem is at the front, the remedy will probably be to fit higher rated front springs, which gets rather more costly, but may not need uprated tyres. I'm not in any degree suggesting this is not possible, just seeking to highlight the need for good advice from a reliable source on what is feasible, and the need to ask the right questions about possible additional requirements before going ahead with any up-plating proposal. Above all, if you have not already done so, first visit a weighbridge in fully laden state, remembering to weigh the van with yourself and all passengers (including even your pet rabbit! 🙂) on board, and make sure to get the weighbridge ticket as a record of the results - as it's likely to be asked for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianM Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 13 hours ago, Derek Uzzell said: The answer is almost certainly "YES". This 2015 ASOF thread discussed increasing a Nuevo's GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) from 3300kg to 3500kg. https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t15961-why-do-as-only-plate-nuevo-eks-at-3300-kg The SVTech company was mentioned http://www.svtech.co.uk/vehicles/motorhomes/ and SVTech's charge for a 'paper only' exercise (ie. where no modifications to the motorhome itself are required) is likely to be £300-£400 nowadays. SVTech would provide an assessment of your motorhome based on the information you give them and (assuming up-plating is practicable) would send you the necessary forms for you to apply to the DVLA for a GVW increase, plus a label to stick on your motorhome. Another company offering this type of service is "Van Weight Engineering" (VWE) https://www.vanweightengineering.com/services VWE may be cheaper and the company was discussed here last January https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/57947-van-weight-engineering/ It should be possible to DIY a 3300kg to 3500kg change by liaising directly with the DVLA, as the motorhome's UK-registration class (Private/Light Goods) would not alter and the weight increase is quite small. A couple of DIY-related links https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/36169-uprating-vehicle-weight-yourself/ https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/uprating-gross-weight.149768/ Many thanks this comprehensive reply. We will have to sit down and study all our options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianM Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 2 hours ago, Brian Kirby said: It will depend, to some extent, why you want to up-plate your van. If you have checked both front, and rear, axle loads, as well as overall weight, at a weighbridge, with your van fully laden (meaning at the maximum weight at which you might drive it), and the only potential problem lies with its total weight compared to its MAM, then fine. However, if either axle is close to its maximum permitted load, be very cautious. Normal up-plating will not allow any increase in the maximum individual axle loads, to gain which some form of suspension modification, plus (possibly) uprated tyres, may be necessary. If the problem is the rear axle only, this may be achieved by adding air assistance to that axle, which is a fairly low cost fix, albeit you will be likely to need uprated tyres to match the enhanced axle load. You will then find potential difficulty with your existing (presumed) spare wheel, which will be inadequate for use at the rear as a) it will not match the opposite (uprated) tyre and, b) will in any case be overloaded. This could be overcome by uprating all five (including spare) tyres to the new, higher, rating required for the rear axle, but will add considerably to the cost. However, if the problem is at the front, the remedy will probably be to fit higher rated front springs, which gets rather more costly, but may not need uprated tyres. I'm not in any degree suggesting this is not possible, just seeking to highlight the need for good advice from a reliable source on what is feasible, and the need to ask the right questions about possible additional requirements before going ahead with any up-plating proposal. Above all, if you have not already done so, first visit a weighbridge in fully laden state, remembering to weigh the van with yourself and all passengers (including even your pet rabbit! 🙂) on board, and make sure to get the weighbridge ticket as a record of the results - as it's likely to be asked for. Lots of food for thought. Many thanks for this comprehensive sensible advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 @ianM MMM recently published this online guide to MH weights, may be worth a read... https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/articles/practical-advice/motorhome-weight-and-payload-a-beginners-guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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