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Post by robadob on Feb 21, 2007 14:08:38 GMT
hello I am new to the forum it looks like a good source of info. I am looking for a coach to convert and have my eye on a 8.5m Dennis Javelin is there anybody out there who has any info on them? I am going to have a look at one on friday and would be glad of any tips What i realy want to know is how heavy is it? Thats net weight preferably with out the seats but maybe thats to much to ask! I want to re plate it to 7.5 t when the convertion is complete .Robadob
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Feb 21, 2007 16:40:21 GMT
The unladen weight should be marked on the nearside of the vehicle beside the back wheel arch.
The MAM will be on the V5C.
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Feb 25, 2007 11:11:59 GMT
Why do you want to replate it after conversion? Motorhomes are not weight limited.
As long as you have passed your test you can drive a motorhome up to the legal maximum of 40 Tonnes as long as it as the right number of axles.
The Crown Prosecution service as only attemted to take this to court once, they (the CPS) adjourned several times and then dropped all charges due to "lack of evidence" even though they had camera evidence, a signed confession, and police witnesses.
I rang the CPS and they could not quote the law with which they were intending to prosecute and they would not comment on the fact that they still had all the evidence, so why back out?
I would suggest that even though its legal to drive without the higher licence and training, its probably not a good idea................
Regards
George
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Feb 27, 2007 17:50:49 GMT
As long as you have passed your test you can drive a motorhome up to the legal maximum of 40 Tonnes as long as it as the right number of axles. As a fully qualified driving instructor and trainer for car, bus and lorry I can state that passing "your test" doesnt allow you to drive a 40 tonne motorhome. It depends on what tests you have passed and when you passed them.
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Feb 28, 2007 10:15:33 GMT
Hi Jonathon
Unfortunately you are wrong, Marsham decide vehicle category (and thats written into every road traffic act) and Marsham have confirmed that.
1. Motorhomes are not weight restricted (other than legal UK max providing that it as the right number of axles) 2. That a motorhome is not a goods vehicle, ergo as far as they are concerned it comes under same bracket as car's
The only court case that never quite happened also "proves" there is no law to prosecute motorhome drivers driving huge motorhomes providing they have a valid car licence
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Feb 28, 2007 12:41:47 GMT
Driving licences are granted on vehicle use and vehicle weight.
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Post by robadob on Feb 28, 2007 13:45:33 GMT
hi i have just read some of the replys I want to replate the coach because there seems to be a grey area around licences as mentioned. The DVLA told me on several occasions that it was illegal to drive anything that i did not have a licence to drive I have the old style car licence so i can drive up to 7.5t DVLA said motorhome or not i could not drive anything heavier! and as i dont want to invalidate my insurance i think it is better to play it safe. I have also noticed that some of the american rv suppliers are not so vocal about there products being driven on a car licence anymore. Back to the origanal point does anybody know the net weight of a Dennis Javelin 8.5m?
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Feb 28, 2007 17:57:46 GMT
Hi
The CPS cannot quote the law they tried to prosecute under (read will not quote it, as it doesnt apply to motorhomes) as Jonathon says some vehicles licensed by weight and some by use for others you have to ask for a category from Marsham (NOT DVLA) and in the case of motorhome it doesnt fit in the category DVLA want it too.
I have had discussions with Police Traffic dept, the CPS (crown Prosecution Service) Marsham Construction and Use and DVLA amonsgst others and not one can quote a law that makes it ilegal to drive a motorhome over 7.5 Tonnes, imagine that there isnt a law that makes it ilegal to Drive a huge motorhome on an ordinary car licence.
Dont take my word for it ask them yourself...
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Mar 1, 2007 8:30:49 GMT
Hi Robadob
Not sure of the weight of a Javelin, don't have access to one to check, ask the vendor as I said the unladen weight has to be on the side of the bus by law if its still a PCV.
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Post by robadob on Mar 1, 2007 12:20:13 GMT
hi johnathan thanks i'll ask. Do you know of the procedure for down plating a vehicle and where i can get it done, i read an article in mmm with address of place to go put have mislaid the mag!
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Post by GeorgeTelford on Mar 1, 2007 17:21:26 GMT
Quote "as I said the unladen weight has to be on the side of the bus by law if its still a PCV"
And with it no longer being PCV or Goods vehicle?
If you check with Marsham Construction and use, you will find that it doesnt need to be plated.
You will also find it doesnt need a Tachograph (even though its not on the list of exempt vehicles) hmmm STRANGER AND STRANGER
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Post by Jonathan Smith on Mar 8, 2007 15:20:12 GMT
hi johnathan thanks i'll ask. Do you know of the procedure for down plating a vehicle and where i can get it done, i read an article in mmm with address of place to go put have mislaid the mag! Sorry, not sure I up graded my licence rather than down plated the vehicle.
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