After watching your video, it prompted me to weigh our newly converted Crafter 35. Got a shock at the weigh-in. With 3/4 fuel, 2 cycles, and camping chairs, no water in the tanks, it was 20kg short of 3,500. Now we have to uprate it to 4100. P.s, I will have a rear set of Sumo springs available, after the airride is fitted, for vw crafter, if anyone is interested.
you may be able to upgrade with out doing any thing mate , if you get intouch with the guys here and speak to them and weigh up your options , www.vanweightengineering.com . tell them we sent you , there great and they know it all
Yer you need to do the up plating as well don’t you . Those dampers really make it a lot more rigid when driving . Plus Morgan is like a sail cos she’s so high
I was looking inside a crafter at my mate's conversion place today and it was looking sweeeeet. I saw viv-i-van parked beside it and realised just how much room there is inside a crafter and how bloody huge they are. No wonder they deserve the best suspension if you turn them into campers. Viv looked like a shrimp and I started to get those "i need a bigger van" vibes again.....until he ryhmed off the cost in total, buying and converting and said.....Give me another 35 grand and your van and you can have her... Only went to price up moving the electrics/charger/inverter out of the front passenger seats and into the underneath of my rock and roll bed and ended going home with acute crafter envy....nowt worse than realising yours aint big enough....I wish I'd never gone now 😭 Great video as usual-Bessy regs- Kenny
Oh buddy we know what you mean . We had the T4 for 10 years and it as great u till we seen crafters and then was like omg you can stand up, walk round and it started a bell and a pecking in the head . Then we had that lock down and bit the bullet . But we have been there
Just a point to note Neil. Our van is 4000kg gross which is lovely until you want to drive into a LEZ or CAZ as the log book description is Private HGV and that becomes expensive. All the best on your travels.
Just one thing worth noting is tyres , the 5tonners have duelys ,worth checking the max tyre weight especially on rear when turning ATs example iirc mine are 1250 per corner on wormdrives .
LINKS FOR PARTS ARE IN THE VIDEO DESCRIPTION also check these videos out for more suspension upgrades . our 5-ton leaf spring video - ua-cam.com/video/qwsjxa_NVAo/v-deo.html . @TheCraftyBlindersvanlife - air suspension video - ua-cam.com/video/2PxaWjzZYGk/v-deo.html These are the rear dampers we fitted - 82-2588: Koni Special Dampers REAR and We got them from its company here - potnshop.co.uk/
When you replaced the rubber mounts/bushes on the front were they a standard bush or do they need to be ungraded to 5tonne also. Just about to do this job on mine
Would the resale value increase or decrease? .... The upgrades would make it better, but they would also limit your resale market to drives with a class 1.
Liked your video Neil. We all hope we never ever need recovered, but what if we do? Does the AA/RAC recover 4.5/5T vehicles? I recall my AA recovery is 3.5T max and my Ducato Maxi is down plated to 3.5T.
@Urban Vanlife surely it's a lgv not hgv shock absorbers aren't load bearing and can you track the rear its the axle itself that bears the load bearings seals and differential that's what you need to up grade for weight suspension helps stop it rolling and road handling
Yes the rears can be tracked well more like the cambers set on them . The whole set up from leafs to air and dampers are what’s needed for the company to up plate the vechicle . The max is 3450 cos of the actual sub and axle . A lgv is commercial under 3500kg and HGV is over 3500 so for the plating it would be private hgv
Great blog Neil,but now we won’t know if the camper is a rocking and do will still come a knocking lol not sure how the upgrade works will it affect you driving license I not sure is it a c license? As normal van ,hi sweetheart Emma thought you left us ,well take care keep safe,John 🛠️⚒️🔨🔧🔧🌹🫣😂😘🤫😑🤥🤓😍
Yer there won’t be any rocking buddy . I won’t matter to me I have a full class one licance so we are well cornered there buddy . Thanks for watching buddy
I love you guys. Are you at camp quirky this April? I’d love to meet up. Also what’s Emma’s favourite food? She cooks for everyone else, I’d like to do something nice for her! Savoury or sweat? Cheers Brian
looking at your road way I think you live near some of my rellies, anyhow who did the tracking of the van cant get it done near me in manshitechester, details please
A car test taken after mid 1997 will only allow you to drive upto 3.5t. That being the case, if you up plate to over 3.5t you'll need a cat C1 licence which allows you to drive upto 7.5t.
seen it mate , i dont think what i said was missleading at all , we took the van in to a test station and was told that they allow 5% for private campervans and that was from a qualified vosa tester who pulls people in all the time , so if the informatin is wrong then there giveing the wrong information
@Urban Vanlife the 5% is an urban myth bud. As I said in the message, it's tolerated but not legally binding, if you know what I mean. If the officer is having a bad day, it's most definitely possible to find yourself in trouble. Saying that, your channel and your call bud. Just didn't want you potentially getting any backlash.
@Urban Vanlife oh and we say the best way to get away with something is passing the attitude test when stopped. Have a good attitude and your onto a winner, be a d**k and you may as well get your wallet out. 😀
I don’t know any mate we do all our own . Iv never used any company’s so can’t really recommend any . Depending where you are it may be worth talking to Sean from progect camper he dose electrical work on vans also installs . That’s the only person I can think of. Tell him we sent you
PS. If you can change the new 4 cable dimmer switch into the two cable toggle switch. Can you do a vid please to get her in doors off me back and I can watch it time and time again so I get it right lol xx
I never knew you could upgrade the weight of your vehicle..(up plate it) nice one..I guess as long as the engine has good power to compensate the extra weight..got mind 3.5 ton weak bridges tho..Do you need a bigger licence too ?..(or do you have grandfather rights on 7.5)..✌️
I have a full class one licance and a few more so I can basically drive any thing . But yes you can up plate even with standard springs and dampers you can get a bit more closer to 4 ton you just have to apply . Theee vans are so so under weighted purley so they sell more to people who can drive them . If you think a boxer and a lwb crafter or sprinter are all 3.5 ton but you would fit a boxer and a half in side a crafter or sprinter .
Didn’t realise we where selling it . And even if we do sell there is allways some one looking for something that’s updated . There hard to come by and most ppl who want up plated vans have to do the work them selves . But the last vsn we had for 10 years so no plans on getting this one gone in the next 8 years
Worth checking as I'm guessing as the ANPR would tell them the registered weight. Wouldn't the brakes have to be uprated too as there is more weight to stop?
No the breaks on these vans are rated to stop up to double the weight . Cos we are all allowed to pull a trailer carrying 3ton so there well capable of it . As for the cameras it woukd come back as private HGV which should be the same as what it is now
With all the chasi work done underneath done. When you gonnae spray rust protector up evas skirt lol. As up here salts a killer. Just so much work done and expense. Protect underneath mate
Hi I’ve got a wee question for you, it’s not about them lights on the bonnet. it was about a toggle switch that you changed to a dimmer switch by pushing the button and holding it and the light goes up and down. Anyway, I’ve brought the switch to do the same as you.. so I thought?? and maybe like you..?? witch is what my mrs would say.. I rushed in, and I brought the wrong ones..?? the toggle switch just has two cables,?? but the new ones that I’ve just brought has got four cables?? can it still work..???? I’m getting an earache from the Mrs… lol.. PLEASE HELP.. but on a happier note love, watching your Vids, you do make us laugh.. xx
The weight upgrade only changes it to hgv I think pal, u need motor home insurance to cover what you have spent, as it’s still classed as a van it me insured for what 12k ??? U must have spent nearly 3 times that, As a van mine was only insured for 12 grand, once I changed it with dvla to motor caravan I was able to get motor home insurance which covers what I’ve spent inside the van as well, my vw swamper is now valued and insured for 60 grand, which covers what I spent, and puts me on 20p a hour for all my hard work 👍🤘
Oh we are well insured mate . We even upped it after the costs of thing whent up . Also the only thing haveing the class as a motor caravan is you can do higher speeds . And that’s it it changes nothing else as the law or the dvla is concerned . According to the dvla them selves the only reason there is classs is so the police can recognise a vechicle for identification . And that’s it it makes no difference other wise
@@UrbanVanlife i searched everywhere for insurance when it was still classified as a van , no one would insure the van for what it was worth until I changed it over to motor home,was told by 3 different insurance companies that it’s still a van and would only have commercial insurance,
Can’t say we have had any problem with insurance and ours is covered for 40k plus we are in liverpool as well . The class of the vehicle shoukd make a difference as long as you tell them what you want it insuring for and tell them evey thing that’s been done .
The full full cost isn’t as bad as you would think . Rear 5 ton springs £500 rear air suspension £200 front leaf spring £220 Front and rear dampers £900 total £1820 . Which ain’t bad considering you have a whole new suspension and it’s upgraded to 5ton
After watching your video, it prompted me to weigh our newly converted Crafter 35. Got a shock at the weigh-in. With 3/4 fuel, 2 cycles, and camping chairs, no water in the tanks, it was 20kg short of 3,500. Now we have to uprate it to 4100. P.s, I will have a rear set of Sumo springs available, after the airride is fitted, for vw crafter, if anyone is interested.
you may be able to upgrade with out doing any thing mate , if you get intouch with the guys here and speak to them and weigh up your options , www.vanweightengineering.com . tell them we sent you , there great and they know it all
Great advice mate and great upgrade. We had to down plate ours as Dee didn’t have the license. But the 5T suspension does make a massive difference.
Yer it really dose . Plus makes it feel a lot more stable as well
Glad you kind of mentioned driving licences.... So many people are being caught out since the categories etc changed...
its a video we do intend on doing cos there are a lot of confused people
great info pal, going to have to get back on this stuff when i get back
Yer you need to do the up plating as well don’t you . Those dampers really make it a lot more rigid when driving . Plus Morgan is like a sail cos she’s so high
I was looking inside a crafter at my mate's conversion place today and it was looking sweeeeet. I saw viv-i-van parked beside it and realised just how much room there is inside a crafter and how bloody huge they are. No wonder they deserve the best suspension if you turn them into campers. Viv looked like a shrimp and I started to get those "i need a bigger van" vibes again.....until he ryhmed off the cost in total, buying and converting and said.....Give me another 35 grand and your van and you can have her... Only went to price up moving the electrics/charger/inverter out of the front passenger seats and into the underneath of my rock and roll bed and ended going home with acute crafter envy....nowt worse than realising yours aint big enough....I wish I'd never gone now 😭 Great video as usual-Bessy regs- Kenny
Oh buddy we know what you mean . We had the T4 for 10 years and it as great u till we seen crafters and then was like omg you can stand up, walk round and it started a bell and a pecking in the head . Then we had that lock down and bit the bullet . But we have been there
Great video thanks for the plug 😁👍
No pro at all buddy I hope they all go watch mate . Your helps been amazing buddy
Extremely informative Neil, thank you. Love that wee lassie that keeps popping into your vlogs…wonder who she is?!!😅
She dose just pop in there mate . But she will be back full time soon enough . So enjoy the break lol
Just a point to note Neil. Our van is 4000kg gross which is lovely until you want to drive into a LEZ or CAZ as the log book description is Private HGV and that becomes expensive. All the best on your travels.
Iv never been in one and hopefullly never will buddy . But yer I get ya
Another great video, always informative, with a bit of humour. Love your channel. Can’t wait for the next one.
the front suspention is a bit of a stress full one lol
That hand sign , looked like playing with a "cucumber"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’m saying nothing but I did have some other footage to put after that but it would have activated all the Karen’s lol
Just one thing worth noting is tyres , the 5tonners have duelys ,worth checking the max tyre weight especially on rear when turning ATs example iirc mine are 1250 per corner on wormdrives .
Yer there one of the next things we will be doing and wheels
Great video mate, you covered everything.👍
Narrrrrr I’ll have missed something I bet
Looks top notch work Neil, hope you are doing well.
Cheers mate all good buddy hope your safe and ok over there mate
Nice to hear someone calling them by their right name 👍
Lol most call then shockys . But shockys have springs lol well spotted
With good suspension you will need a new sticker, If This Van Is Rocking Don’t Bother Knocking 😂
Hahahahaha never happens mate belive me
LINKS FOR PARTS ARE IN THE VIDEO DESCRIPTION also check these videos out for more suspension upgrades . our 5-ton leaf spring video - ua-cam.com/video/qwsjxa_NVAo/v-deo.html . @TheCraftyBlindersvanlife - air suspension video - ua-cam.com/video/2PxaWjzZYGk/v-deo.html
These are the rear dampers we fitted - 82-2588: Koni Special Dampers REAR
and We got them from its company here - potnshop.co.uk/
Good Vid Neil, can't you not keep it registered as a MV ? , fittings still covered if it has to be Changed ?
Good to see the Boss back 🥰😍😋😛
The boss 😮😮😮😮😮
Hi Neil and Emma 👋 just us 2saying hi 👋 and thanks again for sharing this video update and great information 👋 den and sue 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🚌🚌🚌
Hey guys hi back at ya . Thanks for watching
Just a thought what's the load rating on your tyres could fail mot if not rated for max gross weight after upgrade
🤔 we have plans . Sshhhhhhh more coming on that one
Wow I love your upgrades buddy❤❤ love to do this to mine ❤❤❤
the fronts now done as well mate , and wow so much differance
@@UrbanVanlife wow 😮 I didn’t know you can do all this I definitely need to do this to mine :)
When you replaced the rubber mounts/bushes on the front were they a standard bush or do they need to be ungraded to 5tonne also. Just about to do this job on mine
You need to get heavier ones, I put some links in the description if you need to know where to look for some, hope this helps
Informative video thanks , question how do you know the torque of impact driver?, I was told to torque my wheel nuts
You need a torque wrench. Screw fix has one at a decent price
We allways tork out nuts up after but the gun had 1000nt
Would the resale value increase or decrease? .... The upgrades would make it better, but they would also limit your resale market to drives with a class 1.
No idea mate to be honest but we have zero reason for sale . The last cab we had 10 years so think we got this for a while
Liked your video Neil. We all hope we never ever need recovered, but what if we do? Does the AA/RAC recover 4.5/5T vehicles? I recall my AA recovery is 3.5T max and my Ducato Maxi is down plated to 3.5T.
Not sure on that but I’ll have to check . We are with green flag and apparently there is no size limit for private but I will check with them
Thanks Neil. Hope u and Emma are well. Always watch your vids. Hope u are getting on well with your shower tray. Best wishes David and Beverley
Hi buddy the shower trays amazing we TOTALY love it . It’s like have in a fresh new van
Very good, I think you are right and most vans will be over their limit. Will you also have to change your tyres?
They will be going bigger and more load bearing as well . But that’s coming soon lol stop giving things away paul lol
Sorry, look forward to seeing it all finished at vanlove fest.
If your van is not registered as a motor caravan and you up plate above 3.5 ton does that mean you can't go over 56mph
If it’s classed as Private HGV then you don’t come under the tacho regs .
@Urban Vanlife surely it's a lgv not hgv shock absorbers aren't load bearing and can you track the rear its the axle itself that bears the load bearings seals and differential that's what you need to up grade for weight suspension helps stop it rolling and road handling
Yes the rears can be tracked well more like the cambers set on them . The whole set up from leafs to air and dampers are what’s needed for the company to up plate the vechicle . The max is 3450 cos of the actual sub and axle . A lgv is commercial under 3500kg and HGV is over 3500 so for the plating it would be private hgv
@@shropshireladoutdoors743yeah it's a PHGV which it will go to..did ours last year and it's now a PHGV.. 👍
hi mate i watched your video on the number plate flipper great video where do you buy them from
cheers Mick
Great blog Neil,but now we won’t know if the camper is a rocking and do will still come a knocking lol not sure how the upgrade works will it affect you driving license I not sure is it a c license? As normal van ,hi sweetheart Emma thought you left us ,well take care keep safe,John 🛠️⚒️🔨🔧🔧🌹🫣😂😘🤫😑🤥🤓😍
Yer there won’t be any rocking buddy . I won’t matter to me I have a full class one licance so we are well cornered there buddy . Thanks for watching buddy
I had double leaf springs fitted and air suspension it’s unreal
yer the 5t ones we upgraded to made so much differane
I love you guys. Are you at camp quirky this April? I’d love to meet up. Also what’s Emma’s favourite food? She cooks for everyone else, I’d like to do something nice for her! Savoury or sweat? Cheers Brian
i dont think we will be going mate as we personlay where not impressed for what you pay last year , the only one we are going to is @vanlifeeats
looking at your road way I think you live near some of my rellies, anyhow who did the tracking of the van cant get it done near me in manshitechester, details please
It got done mate in euro master for £25 I think it was and according to them it wasn’t far out . Still out but I’ll take it as a win
Hi Neil, do wheel's have a weight limit they can carry. Thanks paul
they do mate and tyres as well , so you have to check on the rubber what its able to carry per corner
Hi,
You mentioned the C1 license, do you need it if you do these changes?
Great vlog
A car test taken after mid 1997 will only allow you to drive upto 3.5t.
That being the case, if you up plate to over 3.5t you'll need a cat C1 licence which allows you to drive upto 7.5t.
you dont need it no , but if the gros weight goes over 3.5t then you would hve to look at your options reguarding your licance
Neil. Sent you a message on Instagram about this upgrade. Take a look buddy. I think it's quite important. 🤔
seen it mate , i dont think what i said was missleading at all , we took the van in to a test station and was told that they allow 5% for private campervans and that was from a qualified vosa tester who pulls people in all the time , so if the informatin is wrong then there giveing the wrong information
@Urban Vanlife the 5% is an urban myth bud. As I said in the message, it's tolerated but not legally binding, if you know what I mean. If the officer is having a bad day, it's most definitely possible to find yourself in trouble. Saying that, your channel and your call bud. Just didn't want you potentially getting any backlash.
@Urban Vanlife oh and we say the best way to get away with something is passing the attitude test when stopped. Have a good attitude and your onto a winner, be a d**k and you may as well get your wallet out. 😀
Hi mate what's that electrical company that you recommend? Thanks
I don’t know any mate we do all our own . Iv never used any company’s so can’t really recommend any . Depending where you are it may be worth talking to Sean from progect camper he dose electrical work on vans also installs . That’s the only person I can think of. Tell him we sent you
@@UrbanVanlife
Hi…not a company to do the work but a company that supplies electrical gear, thanks
12v Planet!!!!! You use to mention them all the time
There suppliers and we would still recomend them TOTALY . I thought you was looking for some one to wire up your van sorry
👍👍
Hi its the pest agian. What is the impact gun you use for taking your wheels off?
Dcf900nt/xj 18v DeWalt impact driver … it’s not cheap but doing all the work on the van it was priceless
@@UrbanVanlife Thanks, I will be getting one that's for sure
PS. If you can change the new 4 cable dimmer switch into the two cable toggle switch. Can you do a vid please to get her in doors off me back and I can watch it time and time again so I get it right lol xx
interesting video, a good solution for all of those vans running around at max weight, BTW it's does, not dose
I recon 70% of vans are all running close to or when fully loaded over weight
Can you now use red diesel with it being an hgv plate now
only in countrys that dont require you to pay the british goverment tax
Do you not need to upgrade the brakes also?
No mate there well over rated any way . Don’t forget there able to stop the 3,5t van plus a trailer with 3 ton on as wel
My tax is about £163 for a 7.5 ton and £450 for insurance
Cheaper than my 1.6tdi caddy
It’s mad how you can go bigger but it cost less
I never knew you could upgrade the weight of your vehicle..(up plate it) nice one..I guess as long as the engine has good power to compensate the extra weight..got mind 3.5 ton weak bridges tho..Do you need a bigger licence too ?..(or do you have grandfather rights on 7.5)..✌️
I have a full class one licance and a few more so I can basically drive any thing . But yes you can up plate even with standard springs and dampers you can get a bit more closer to 4 ton you just have to apply . Theee vans are so so under weighted purley so they sell more to people who can drive them . If you think a boxer and a lwb crafter or sprinter are all 3.5 ton but you would fit a boxer and a half in side a crafter or sprinter .
@@UrbanVanlife You got a bigger licence then me (class 2 boy) nice one Neil and Happy Camping..✌️
Happy birthday. X
What about the resale of the van?
Didn’t realise we where selling it . And even if we do sell there is allways some one looking for something that’s updated . There hard to come by and most ppl who want up plated vans have to do the work them selves . But the last vsn we had for 10 years so no plans on getting this one gone in the next 8 years
In Europe you will be restricted to lower speed limits.
That don’t bother us we never in a rush any way to be honest
neil do you need a tacho in that then or cos your private you dont need 1
No mate cos your private your exempt form techo laws
nice work
Cheers buddy
Would not have chang your license
I have a class 1 licance any way . But if you don’t you would have to upgrade to 7.5 ton
Does the up-plating have an impact on the cost of toll roads and bridges?
Great informative video as always👍
I don’t think so cos most go off size . And it’s still a van in there eyes . But not totalty sure if I’m honest ian
Worth checking as I'm guessing as the ANPR would tell them the registered weight. Wouldn't the brakes have to be uprated too as there is more weight to stop?
No the breaks on these vans are rated to stop up to double the weight . Cos we are all allowed to pull a trailer carrying 3ton so there well capable of it . As for the cameras it woukd come back as private HGV which should be the same as what it is now
@Urban Vanlife abroad they go off weight and when we did the Crit Air they wanted info. Not sure how their ANPR would know the weight though.
Pass but that’s just something we would deal with at the time . Long as we have all the paper work and right plating it’s not really a worry
You and Emi are just so
Lovely together 😊 another 👏🏻 😎❤️
arrr thanks gail xx
Well done. A bet eva drives better now and less wear on tyres. Could be wrong . Good move
Yer she drives much better mate . Just feels better to be honest
@@UrbanVanlife well done . No chance being pulled over for being overloaded with emmas crumpets lol
With all the chasi work done underneath done. When you gonnae spray rust protector up evas skirt lol. As up here salts a killer. Just so much work done and expense. Protect underneath mate
god vid on the channel neil thanks lee
Thanks for watching lee
Cool
Cheers buddy
Hi I’ve got a wee question for you, it’s not about them lights on the bonnet. it was about a toggle switch that you changed to a dimmer switch by pushing the button and holding it and the light goes up and down. Anyway, I’ve brought the switch to do the same as you.. so I thought?? and maybe like you..?? witch is what my mrs would say.. I rushed in, and I brought the wrong ones..?? the toggle switch just has two cables,?? but the new ones that I’ve just brought has got four cables?? can it still work..???? I’m getting an earache from the Mrs… lol.. PLEASE HELP.. but on a happier note love, watching your Vids, you do make us laugh.. xx
U spending nearly as much as me on your crafter, hav you changed the van over with dvla to motor caravan yet ???
Not yet mate no . The upgrade of the weight will do that
The weight upgrade only changes it to hgv I think pal, u need motor home insurance to cover what you have spent, as it’s still classed as a van it me insured for what 12k ??? U must have spent nearly 3 times that,
As a van mine was only insured for 12 grand, once I changed it with dvla to motor caravan I was able to get motor home insurance which covers what I’ve spent inside the van as well, my vw swamper is now valued and insured for 60 grand, which covers what I spent, and puts me on 20p a hour for all my hard work 👍🤘
Oh we are well insured mate . We even upped it after the costs of thing whent up . Also the only thing haveing the class as a motor caravan is you can do higher speeds . And that’s it it changes nothing else as the law or the dvla is concerned . According to the dvla them selves the only reason there is classs is so the police can recognise a vechicle for identification . And that’s it it makes no difference other wise
@@UrbanVanlife i searched everywhere for insurance when it was still classified as a van , no one would insure the van for what it was worth until I changed it over to motor home,was told by 3 different insurance companies that it’s still a van and would only have commercial insurance,
Can’t say we have had any problem with insurance and ours is covered for 40k plus we are in liverpool as well . The class of the vehicle shoukd make a difference as long as you tell them what you want it insuring for and tell them evey thing that’s been done .
Wait, so you don’t have to do what?
I’ll let you mind go wild on that one . But It may not be what you think . But it may be . Who knows
Please put me off this job... How much do you think in total to uprate the whole of the suspension🙈
The full full cost isn’t as bad as you would think . Rear 5 ton springs £500 rear air suspension £200 front leaf spring £220
Front and rear dampers £900 total £1820 . Which ain’t bad considering you have a whole new suspension and it’s upgraded to 5ton
@@UrbanVanlife yeah your Wright that's not bad at all... Gonna have to drop hints of safety and bend me birds ear now 😂
Plus it drives so much better as well like propper stable oh and 5 inches higher
It was worth the 8:17 minutes of waiting 😏
New I should have missed that bit out
🛀
🐸☕️
hats off to you
@@furface9779 i hear 2nd is the new 1st
@Urban Vanlife No its not, he's a loser.
@@UrbanVanlife tis a tough PETTY game we play
first
You weren't.
@@DavidHilton1991 true
sorrry buddy 2nd , david won this battlee