Hi there, I have a hand built micro van, its built of plywood on a trailer tent chassy. I cant find any identification numbers on it. Does anyone know of somewhere i could get it insured
Quote: Originally posted by jo+h on 26/5/2010
Hi there, I have a hand built micro van, its built of plywood on a trailer tent chassy. I cant find any identification numbers on it. Does anyone know of somewhere i could get it insured
Do you have a picture jo+h? I would love to have a look - being nosey!!).
Hi jo+h,saw image not bad, maybe take some measurements of trailer chassis and pics to try and identify make or model of the chassis, should get idea of trailer weight and max load it can take, then get the van weight at weighbridge, to find out the exact weight of your van,cost around £10. you may find that with construction in plywood, the body might be to heavy for trailer, unless very thin plywood used in its construction, if you bought it from the original builder of it, he may know where chassis number plate is located, as it could have been covered up with the build,anyway hope you get it sorted.
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Thanks to everyone who replied, I had planned to weigh it, will probably pop to my local farm and get it done buck shee with any luck :)
John. how would i work out what load the frame can take, i do believe that the frame has had added bits and suspension to help with the weight. Im clueless, as you can probably guess. Got in touch with the builder and he has no idea where the chassis number could be!
Will try some of the sites recommended, thanks again.
all trailers below 750kg have by law to show their unladen and gross vehicle weight .it depends on the suspension you have used. i have one built 30 yrs ago but never insure it. it was originally made to go behind a m,bike and side car. i used i behind a trike and vw,s now a bongo.
there is strict rules for m,bikes and trikes .mine as a gvw of 150 kg. for on road purposes . it was originallybuilt with 500kg suspension units .it has been al over europe and maroc .we call it the bed in a shed.
hope you have lots fun in it .
cheers alan. ps ,yours may not show a chassis number .but try to find out its suspension capability thats the figure you need for gvw unladen is simple (empty van)
the best web site for looking is tiny tears site its quite informative. difficulty in insurance is getting a value .as its homemade they could just refuse, it should be covered third party by your car ins while on the road. they are getting very ex[pensive to buy ready made .but then some people arent practical. mine is ply sided but alumunium roof. wish i couldput picks up. can build things but not work computers ha ha .
the best web site for looking is tiny tears site its quite informative. difficulty in insurance is getting a value .as its homemade they could just refuse, it should be covered third party by your car ins while on the road. they are getting very ex[pensive to buy ready made .but then some people arent practical. mine is ply sided but alumunium roof. wish i couldput picks up. can build things but not work computers ha ha .
Try Googling "teardrop trailors" there are many DIY prodjects listed they may be able to help.
you say its built on a TT chassis ?can you find out the make of the original & find out from them what the chassis capacity's were
Post last edited on 01/06/2010 14:33:33
Hi jo+h,as old chap says, if you find trailer similar to the one you have,should give you some idea of the weight, you could contact manufacturer for all info, and if the builder of van replaced the shocks,he may know the max weight of the new shocks, as said earlier the identification plate is legal requirment and should be rivited on trailer A frame near the draw hook,easily seen as it is about 2"high and 3"long with all weight info stamped on plate,(Manufacturer built),If all else fails,I would go with unladen weight for trailer similar,get van weighed and check it against the max weight of similar trailer to see how it matches up, and to keep within legal tow limits, hope this is of help, keep us posted
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
it could be you have to get it weighed then times it by 1.5 and find what is called the notional gross weight using the table set out in construction and use for trailers not having a manufacturers or official gross weight . then get a plate made if its under 750kg .i imagine it may not have brakes so you cant go over that wt.
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Topic: Hand built van, Insurance
Now just need to see the inside...
