hitch:
why does the fifth wheel have to be removed
DVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removed. Do you know something to the contrary?
GERARD2223:
DVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removed
What reason did they give you for this ?
ROG:
GERARD2223:
DVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removedWhat reason did they give you for this ?
This is what they sent to me.
Dear Gerard
Thank you for your email received on 3/11/09. Your email reference number is 154329.
An articulated tractor unit with the “fifth wheel” attached may render the vehicle’s driver subject to LGV entitlement with category C being appropriate if the combination cannot comply with the following exception: -
The holder of category B (car ) entitlement may drive an articulated goods vehicle with an unladen weight which does not exceed 3.05 tonnes.
Please note that a goods vehicle exemption means — only the cab with a fifth wheel attached. The driver of a tractor unit with fifth wheel over 3.05 tonnes would need to hold category C entitlement.
However, if the fifth wheel has been removed, it is the weight of the tractor unit that will determine the licence required:
(a) A maximum authorised mass weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes would need to hold category B and be 17 years of age.
(b) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C1 and be 18 years of age.
(c) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
As a licence holder who passed a driving test before 01.01.1997 you should have category C1 showing on the back of your photocard licence.
Does it make sense to you. Thanks Gerard
They are saying that by removing the 5th wheel it is no longer a tractor unit and it becomes a ‘little lorry’
I would GUESS that the plated weight would then be changed ■■? - VOSA will know about that
Depending on it’s actual weight will then determine what catagory of licence is required to drive it -B, C1 or C.
The only exception to that would be if it had more than 9 seats in which case it becomes a PCV.
buy a split bay camper van 
all the same thing slow as a truck with retarder dont do 8mpg and will actualy have some retail value
psv8:
buy a split bay camper van
retail value
I like his idea, in principle. It’s easy to get approaching 15mpg running solo, and if you can run without the limiter, can you fit a bus diff? Would you be able to get it under 7.5t to run at &.5 tonner speeds though?
GERARD2223:
ROG:
GERARD2223:
DVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removedWhat reason did they give you for this ?
This is what they sent to me.
Dear GerardThank you for your email received on 3/11/09. Your email reference number is 154329.
An articulated tractor unit with the “fifth wheel” attached may render the vehicle’s driver subject to LGV entitlement with category C being appropriate if the combination cannot comply with the following exception: -
The holder of category B (car ) entitlement may drive an articulated goods vehicle with an unladen weight which does not exceed 3.05 tonnes.Please note that a goods vehicle exemption means — only the cab with a fifth wheel attached. The driver of a tractor unit with fifth wheel over 3.05 tonnes would need to hold category C entitlement.
However, if the fifth wheel has been removed, it is the weight of the tractor unit that will determine the licence required:
(a) A maximum authorised mass weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes would need to hold category B and be 17 years of age.
(b) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C1 and be 18 years of age.
(c) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
As a licence holder who passed a driving test before 01.01.1997 you should have category C1 showing on the back of your photocard licence.
Does it make sense to you. Thanks Gerard
Did anyone else spot the DVLA mistake■■? 10points for the first correct answer!
Warren T. Claim:
GERARD2223:
ROG:
GERARD2223:
DVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removedWhat reason did they give you for this ?
This is what they sent to me.
Dear GerardThank you for your email received on 3/11/09. Your email reference number is 154329.
An articulated tractor unit with the “fifth wheel” attached may render the vehicle’s driver subject to LGV entitlement with category C being appropriate if the combination cannot comply with the following exception: -
The holder of category B (car ) entitlement may drive an articulated goods vehicle with an unladen weight which does not exceed 3.05 tonnes.Please note that a goods vehicle exemption means — only the cab with a fifth wheel attached. The driver of a tractor unit with fifth wheel over 3.05 tonnes would need to hold category C entitlement.
However, if the fifth wheel has been removed, it is the weight of the tractor unit that will determine the licence required:
(a) A maximum authorised mass weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes would need to hold category B and be 17 years of age.
(b) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C1 and be 18 years of age.
(c) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
As a licence holder who passed a driving test before 01.01.1997 you should have category C1 showing on the back of your photocard licence.
Does it make sense to you. Thanks Gerard
Did anyone else spot the DVLA mistake■■? 10points for the first correct answer!
If you remove the 5th wheel you only downrate to 18t?
Did anyone else spot the DVLA mistake■■? 10points for the first correct answer!
The 3.05 tonne bit ? - I reckon that was a typo
I’m also wondering if by removing the 5th wheel the vehicle is now ‘not a commercial’ under construction & use regs and therefore makes the GVW void ■■?
If that is the case then the vehicle could be judged (licence wise) on it’s actual weight.
Is this what DVLA are getting at ■■?
3.05 tonnes articulated is correct.
I can only assume that they are getting confused over the fifth wheel, unless there is a specific reason why you would need a C instead of a C1 to drive it attached.
Gerard take the fith wheel off and put a (empty!) ballast box on instead. Voila problem solved 
, plus you have somewhere to store your kit for your barbeque!
Mike
It is do-able, as ive seen exactly what you want, on a ferry from Ancona to Patras last year… a 112 Scania…
It was German registered by the way. It was an artic originally. Cant tell you any more than that, thou i must admit if id done it i would have had a bigger living quaters on the back.
GERARD2223:
hitch:
why does the fifth wheel have to be removedDVLA have informed me that the fifth wheel has to be removed. Do you know something to the contrary?
Because they don’t want you tripping over it when you are walking about inside your camper. 
I’m surprised no-one guessed…Here is a clue
c) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
Keep guessing…
Warren T. Claim:
I’m surprised no-one guessed…Here is a cluec) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
Keep guessing…
AGE 21 !!! - someone is behind the times…
ROG:
Warren T. Claim:
I’m surprised no-one guessed…Here is a cluec) A maximum authorised mass weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes would need to hold category C and be 21 years of age.
Keep guessing…
AGE 21 !!! - someone is behind the times…
Or its a standard letter they send out…
WELL DONE!!! 10 pints , sorry points, to ROG!
gogzy:
ask hanky spankyhes got a 6x2 hotel
Who is hanky panky I want to see his hotel and get some ideas.
The other issue is insurance if you want to insure it as a camper you have to forfull certain requirements .
Cant remember them all but a few
Cooker . some want a water tank … bed …fire extinguisher…storage units…an engineers report stating its safe ( electrics etc ) ( gas for cooker ) …
Maybe some else knows the rest in more detail …
And if it is over 25 years old you can get classic insurance very cheap …( if you can find someone to insure a converted tracter unit… )
The best idea is to convert an 18t Box body rigid
26 years an Lgv Trainer:
The other issue is insurance if you want to insure it as a camper you have to forfull certain requirements .Cant remember them all but a few
Cooker . some want a water tank … bed …fire extinguisher…storage units…an engineers report stating its safe ( electrics etc ) ( gas for cooker ) …
Maybe some else knows the rest in more detail …
And if it is over 25 years old you can get classic insurance very cheap …( if you can find someone to insure a converted tracter unit… )
The best idea is to convert an 18t Box body rigid
Im very close to buying a Scania Bullnose 2001 and I have been quoted £1500 to insure it as it is and I have found a company to insure for £580 as a motorhome once the conversion has taken place!
am failing to see the point behind this apart from you want to drive a truck .
why not a coach more living area less hassle .
re-sale value of a truck is next to nothing a coach on the other hanhd is diffrent matter
psv8:
am failing to see the point behind this apart from you want to drive a truck .why not a coach more living area less hassle .
re-sale value of a truck is next to nothing a coach on the other hanhd is diffrent matter
I wonder too, especially as you could go and drive ■■■■ Denbys supertruck for £100 