Can you change GC 600 from 3.5 to 3.8T?

[far.landscape]

Hi, does anyone know if you can change a 3.5T rated GC 600 to a 3.8T rating?

I don’t know it this requires component changes or just legal / paperwork, or if it’s simply impossible.

I’m aware of the C1 license requirement. Just looking to increase the payload possibility.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dominichayhoe]

Yes you can, just a paperwork exercise I believe.

 

[far.landscape]

Yes you can, just a paperwork exercise I believe.

Ahh that would be excellent if that’s the case.

 

[far.landscape]

…interestingly, I just called VW and they had no idea how to do this and didn’t think it would be possible.

They also quoted £1800 for fitting a tow bar (that’s why I want to increase the payload rating) as said that the kitchen would need to come out to run the wiring!

 

[T3Z-GB]

Hi, does anyone know if you can change a 3.5T rated GC 600 to a 3.8T rating?

I don’t know it this requires component changes or just legal / paperwork, or if it’s simply impossible.

I’m aware of the C1 license requirement. Just looking to increase the payload possibility.

Thanks in advance.

These guys can help.

Van Weight Engineering

Need to change the weight of your vehicle? You're in the right place.

www.vanweightengineering.com

 

[dominichayhoe]

…interestingly, I just called VW and they had no idea how to do this and didn’t think it would be possible.

They also quoted £1800 for fitting a tow bar (that’s why I want to increase the payload rating) as said that the kitchen would need to come out to run the wiring!

The VW dealers are pretty clueless in regards to the GC tbh.

 

[The Yorkshireman]

Hi this is the response from the DVLC. Hope this helps

Thank you for your email.

From your description it is unlikely the vehicle has ever been registered as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) vehicle. For a motorhome or any vehicle not classed a HGV we would advise you contact the manufacturer in the first instance and ask them to provide you with a new manufacturer's plate showing the weights you require.

Alternatively, you can contact a specialised vehicle converter and ask if they will provide a converters plate. A converters plate is similar to the original manufacturer's plate which displays the same information requirements but with the revised weight limits. This plate will need to be attached to the vehicle. A list of recognised converters is attached to assist you.

If the vehicle is a HGV please come back to me confirming the registration number and then I can advise you further.

Over 90% of customers surveyed are satisfied with the service we have provided. Let us know what you think by clicking here
Kind regards
Catherine | Customer Service Centre Agent
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency | Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN
Phone: 0300 123 9000, Email: hgvtech@dvsa.gov.uk


Helping you stay safe on Britain's roads
Find out more about government services at www.gov.uk/dvsa
Follow us: facebook.com/dvsagovuk | youtube.com/dvsagovuk | twitter.com/dvsagovuk
Stay informed: sign up for free email alerts and newsletters from DVSA Direct
<HGVTech@dvsa.gov.uk>


CompanyLocation PhoneWebsiteContact

Britcom International Ltd. Market Weighton01430 888164 www.britcom.co.uk`Brent Carmichael
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, steering conversions and the fitting of lorry loader cranes
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Granning (UK) Ltd. Warrington 01925 810400www.airsprings.com Mark Quigley
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, adding an axle, HGV suspension conversions, type approval services
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company
.
SvTech Ltd. Leyland 01772 621800 www.svtech.co.ukGareth Marsh
services – modified vehicle approval, brake calculations, vehicle uprating and downrating, type approval services. DVLA recognised
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Van Weight EngineeringDerby07568 981882vanweightengineering.comDee-Michael Thorne
Services- motorcaravan and horsebox uprates and downrates, van conversion and expedition vehiclererates. DVLA recognised
Quality recognition - none. Trading style of Spokes and Thorne LLP OC432609

Wheelbase Engineering Ltd. Blackburn 01254 819399 Lee Nuttall
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, adding an axle, HGV & LGV conversions, type approval services
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Only Britcom International and Wheelbase Engineering can deal with MANs with EBS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This listing is in alphabetical order and is not intended to suggest that any one party is more acceptable to DVSA than another, and is also not an exhaustive list of organisations who have made submissions to DVSA for this type of work

DVSA take no responsibility for the price or quality of any work carried out by these specialists. This list is provided for information only and it is not to be taken as an implied or actual endorsement or recommendation of any of the listed parties.

S J WHITEHART
DVSA TECHNICAL SERVICES
SWANSEA 10/02/2021

 

[far.landscape]

Hi this is the response from the DVLC. Hope this helps

Thank you for your email.

From your description it is unlikely the vehicle has ever been registered as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) vehicle. For a motorhome or any vehicle not classed a HGV we would advise you contact the manufacturer in the first instance and ask them to provide you with a new manufacturer's plate showing the weights you require.

Alternatively, you can contact a specialised vehicle converter and ask if they will provide a converters plate. A converters plate is similar to the original manufacturer's plate which displays the same information requirements but with the revised weight limits. This plate will need to be attached to the vehicle. A list of recognised converters is attached to assist you.

If the vehicle is a HGV please come back to me confirming the registration number and then I can advise you further.

Over 90% of customers surveyed are satisfied with the service we have provided. Let us know what you think by clicking here
Kind regards
Catherine | Customer Service Centre Agent
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency | Ellipse, Padley Road, Swansea, SA1 8AN
Phone: 0300 123 9000, Email: hgvtech@dvsa.gov.uk


Helping you stay safe on Britain's roads
Find out more about government services at www.gov.uk/dvsa
Follow us: facebook.com/dvsagovuk | youtube.com/dvsagovuk | twitter.com/dvsagovuk
Stay informed: sign up for free email alerts and newsletters from DVSA Direct
EMAIL]>


CompanyLocation PhoneWebsiteContact

Britcom International Ltd. Market Weighton01430 888164 www.britcom.co.uk`Brent Carmichael
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, steering conversions and the fitting of lorry loader cranes
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Granning (UK) Ltd. Warrington 01925 810400www.airsprings.com Mark Quigley
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, adding an axle, HGV suspension conversions, type approval services
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company
.
SvTech Ltd. Leyland 01772 621800 www.svtech.co.ukGareth Marsh
services – modified vehicle approval, brake calculations, vehicle uprating and downrating, type approval services. DVLA recognised
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Van Weight EngineeringDerby07568 981882vanweightengineering.comDee-Michael Thorne
Services- motorcaravan and horsebox uprates and downrates, van conversion and expedition vehiclererates. DVLA recognised
Quality recognition - none. Trading style of Spokes and Thorne LLP OC432609

Wheelbase Engineering Ltd. Blackburn 01254 819399 Lee Nuttall
services - chassis modifications, body and trailer building, adding an axle, HGV & LGV conversions, type approval services
Quality recognition - ISO9001:2015 – Limited Company

Only Britcom International and Wheelbase Engineering can deal with MANs with EBS.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This listing is in alphabetical order and is not intended to suggest that any one party is more acceptable to DVSA than another, and is also not an exhaustive list of organisations who have made submissions to DVSA for this type of work

DVSA take no responsibility for the price or quality of any work carried out by these specialists. This list is provided for information only and it is not to be taken as an implied or actual endorsement or recommendation of any of the listed parties.

S J WHITEHART
DVSA TECHNICAL SERVICES
SWANSEA 10/02/2021

Thank you for this. I have sent an enquiry to vehicle weight engineering.

 

[andyinluton]

They also quoted £1800 for fitting a tow bar (that’s why I want to increase the payload rating) as said that the kitchen would need to come out to run the wiring!

@far.landscape
My cost for retro fitting the "removable" GC towbar by a VW Main Dealer in March this year.

"just to confirm before I order and get it fitted, please see attached tow bar £850 plus vat fitted with all the wiring etc, its removable with the bolts as seen in the picture, it is easily removable for a spanner or socket and will have the black plate behind the bumper"

You don't necessarily have to upgrade the plated weight to have a towbar - depends how much of your payload you are already using or intend to use.

I have dealt with SvTech previously & would highly recommend, they are used to dealing with motorhomes, a quick phone call to them may give you the answer you need. Britcom etc may be the people if you actually needed physical work doing, but this should just be a paper exercise.

 

[far.landscape]

@far.landscape
My cost for retro fitting the "removable" GC towbar by a VW Main Dealer in March this year.

"just to confirm before I order and get it fitted, please see attached tow bar £850 plus vat fitted with all the wiring etc, its removable with the bolts as seen in the picture, it is easily removable for a spanner or socket and will have the black plate behind the bumper"

You don't necessarily have to upgrade the plated weight to have a towbar - depends how much of your payload you are already using or intend to use.

I have dealt with SvTech previously & would highly recommend, they are used to dealing with motorhomes, a quick phone call to them may give you the answer you need. Britcom etc may be the people if you actually needed physical work doing, but this should just be a paper exercise.

Thanks for this. I’ll check those companies.

Intriguing that my dealer stuck a 1 in front of that quote !!

Given that I already have the 2nd bed and the awning, the tow bar would take it above the 3.5t mark I believe.

 

[andyinluton]

Given that I already have the 2nd bed and the awning, the tow bar would take it above the 3.5t mark I believe.

Depends what else you carry - the tow bar itself is about 25kg. There are a couple of threads on here where people have weighed their vans that will give a good idea as to how much capacity you still have.

The towbar itself won't make an empty van over 3.5t. it just eats into your available payload.
Having a tow bar + 2 large kids + dog + luggage + 100l of water etc may well be over.

Your gas set up can make a big difference - 2x steel gas cylinders each with 11kg of gas in would be 48kg, we use just one 10kg gaslight bottle that comes in at 15kg when full. For us the weight saving there counters the addition of a towbar.