hiya everyone newbie here… i have a plan / idea and need lots of advice… probably best to explain the idea then go from there… THE PLAN… i own an ex-fire service 17T box van… it was built bespoke for them so it has never had a plating cert ( doesn’t even have the holder )… no tacho and is un restricted … i bought it with the intention of making a motorhome out of it ( this is still the case )… my idea is to use the truck to pull a commercial trailer ( draw bar )… the truck itself will never be used to carry goods ( commercialy ) only the trailer… is this idea even possible ?.. i realise i will need an o licence … my queries are … how is this gonna all pan out ?.. with regards to… taxing the truck… tacho use when not using for commercial purposes ( private empty trailer / just with some personnal stuff in it )…and probly loads of other stuff that i havn’t thought off yet… TIA
Does the vehicle have a train weight GTW or GCW listed on the Manufacturer’s plate? If it doesn’t you will have to start off by contacting the manufacturer to see whether they are able to issue a new manufacturer’s plate with a GTW/GCW with or without any required modification to the chassis. If answer to both is no then it is probably end of end of story, but see below. If yes then you will need to modify the vehicle to tow a trailer, so cross member, hitch, air plumbing and electrical connections. You will need to contact a chassis conversion specialist since this will probably be a ‘single vehicle approval’ and the specialist may be able to issue their own manufacturer’s plate. Then submit the vehicle for SVA and or Plating and Testing according to their advice. To operate it commercially for one day you will have to comply with every requirement the same as if it was 365. You will be able to change taxation class a month at a time and you should be able to arrange an insurance policy which allows you to notify in advance each time you want to operate commercially.
Depending on the trailer’s proposed actual gross weight you may need to carry ballast on the towing vehicle.
I think you’ll find that the trailer is classed as goods being move by the prime mover, so it will come in-scope of EU regulations.
The fact that it’s not being used for commercial purposes makes no difference when the vehicle is more than 7.5t.