Tachograph Question ??

[John T]

Can anyone help me with Tacho question?

I'm looking at buying a LWB Sprinter van, problem is the van is fitted with a Tacho, is it possible to downgrade to carry less weight (I need the space, but not the weight carrying capacity)

I'm sure I've read somewhere you can do this, but can't find anything about it now.

Thanks.

[bezzabsa]

it was probably fitted as it was towing a trailer for a business - should be ok to ignore it.. best ask VOSA 1st tho'!

[fesuvious]

ANY vehicle with a gross weight of 3500 kilos or less does not need a tacho.

A vehicle can be downgraded. I have seen a 7 tonner downgraded to 3.5 so a sprinter shouldnt be a problem. Chances are its currently at @4.4 tonne.

Theres a company called SvTech who handle this. www.svtech.co.uk

[muddy_90]

ill hav a word wiv my dad, he deals wiv tachos

[Paul.K/LuckyTrucker]

Hi there, you don't need to run with a tacho card inserted if all the driving you do is for private. If you go over 3,500kgs for bussiness then you need a tacho.

[Jake]

As Bezzabsa said.
It probebly towed a trailer (which requires a Tachograph if the gross vehicle weight exceed's 3.5tonnes)
Do check first though to be sure.
Pleading ignorance does not get you of the hook if the law nick you.
 :)

[dreadnought110]

:? And don't forget if you use it for buisness and you ever tow a trailer that takes the combined weight over 3500kg's you need the tacho and it's what the trailer is plated at not what it weigh's when you are towing it!!!

[beast5680]

our vans at work have tachos but we only have to use them if we tow the bigger trailers we have as it puts the train weight over , for normal running we dont use them as our vans are under 3500kg gross weight

[John T]

The vans gross is over 3500kg, it's one of the LWB twin wheel Sprinters, I would be using it for business. I need the space but not the weight carrying capacity.

The reason why I was wanting this particular one (as opposed to a single rear wheel model, which wouldn't have the Tacho) is that I've known the vehicle since new and Know it's been very well looked after.

[dreadnought110]

The vans gross is over 3500kg, it's one of the LWB twin wheel Sprinters, I would be using it for business. I need the space but not the weight carrying capacity.

The reason why I was wanting this particular one (as opposed to a single rear wheel model, which wouldn't have the Tacho) is that I've known the vehicle since new and Know it's been very well looked after.

 Have a word with your local merc agent i know it's possible to have it down rated it just get's complicated.. :)

[kwik.kwak]

if its only for private use, pop down to the local ministry  station and u can fill in a form to have it made tacho exempt, i  did it with a 17 tonne lorry no probs at all, dont have to down grade the wieght or anything like that, take about 30 seconds to fill in the form :)

[John T]

if its only for private use, pop down to the local ministry  station and u can fill in a form to have it made tacho exempt, i  did it with a 17 tonne lorry no probs at all, dont have to down grade the wieght or anything like that, take about 30 seconds to fill in the form :)

It's for business use  :(

[Landysteve1975]

Have a look on www.fta.co.uk the are experts on this type of stuff. They sell books covering all road transport law.

[hobbit]

I hope you have a licence that covers you for over 3.5 tonne gross

It depends on how long you have had your licence for that, I know it came in a few years ago

[John T]

I hope you have a licence that covers you for over 3.5 tonne gross

It depends on how long you have had your licence for that, I know it came in a few years ago

I've had it 25yrs+   :oops:

[hobbit]

snap :lol:

got to take my hgv medical on tues, always good for a laugh

As said previously, with regards to the tacho, if its for your own use and not commercial or reward, leave it in its more accurate than a speedo anyway

You dont need to use a chart in it, handy sometimes to keep a record of you lend the motor out and dont tell them there's one in there

If you do use it commercially later and have to use the tacho, remember that they need calibrating every few years (not sure on how many nowadays)

You could sell the tacho if its working ok, they fetch a fair price second hand still

[dreadnought110]

:D Regariding time scale for calbration on tacho every 2 years and major every 6 unless it's digital and it's every 2 fulls top :)

[dew1911]

Those new digital ones... they've found that you can over-ride them using your average domestic Bluetooth Dongle. They all have USB for connection to a PC.