Introducing our lwb TGE build in the UK.

[finners2000]

Hi All.
Thought I’d update you all with our build that’s just started.
Brand new MAN TGE lwb in pure gray.
We brought the van with factory fitted windows which was a luxury. A few exterior modifications and sound deadening had been completed by the company who we brought the van from.

 

[finners2000]

First up was skylights/roof vents. Big heki @ the back was a bit of a fiddle…(cutting out roof ribs, the roof is also curved here neither direction…
Still need to finish the framing on the back skylight.

 

[Lebowski]

Hi,

I'm starting on a mostly identical journey with an LWB Indium Grey van and was wondering where you sourced the adapter frame from? I need one but then for the 360mm MaxxFan cutout, as I want mine in the back, between the second and third last ribs. I found Mudpod but they don't ship outside the UK and I'm in The Netherlands, therefore, hoping to find a supplier that does ship over to Continental Europe.

Thanks and keep building.

 

[rod_vw]

Hi,

I'm starting on a mostly identical journey with an LWB Indium Grey van and was wondering where you sourced the adapter frame from? I need one but then for the 360mm MaxxFan cutout, as I want mine in the back, between the second and third last ribs. I found Mudpod but they don't ship outside the UK and I'm in The Netherlands, therefore, hoping to find a supplier that does ship over to Continental Europe.

Thanks and keep building.

Try North Devon Campervans for the adaptor for the Maxxfan.

 

[rod_vw]

Here is what we had built on our new TGE which was a bespoke order for conversion to a camper, there is a link to the actual specification of the order somewhere on there.

There are other posts of mine detailing various parts of the conversion both before and after it went into service.

Off to France again next Wednesday for an extended holiday.

 

[Lebowski]

@rod_vw Thnak you for the tip, NDV has what I need, I'll call them next week to enquire the possibilities. And I must say ,your van looks great! I don't have a lot of payload to play with so I'm going for a flyweight interior, my van weighs including me and 3/4 tank of diesel a whopping 2650kg.

 

[rod_vw]

@rod_vw Thnak you for the tip, NDV has what I need, I'll call them next week to enquire the possibilities. And I must say ,your van looks great! I don't have a lot of payload to play with so I'm going for a flyweight interior, my van weighs including me and 3/4 tank of diesel a whopping 2650kg.

Is up-plating an option for you in the Netherlands? I have had to do that on ours (up to 4200kg) which has also needed both myself and my wife having to undergo medicals to retain driving licenses for vehicles over 3500kg as we are both over 70 years of age.
I realise that rules vary in different countries both for vehicles and drivers.

 

[Lebowski]

Up plating is a possibility albeit with limitations; I have a cat. B license which is valid up to a GVW of 3500kg and when you raise the GVW the need rises for the C1 license, for vehicles with a GVW up to 7500kg. It also means I am limited in my allowed top speed at 90 km/h which is something I want to avoid. The license change also means I have a smaller possibility of having someone drive the vehicle when I get incapacitated. Now anyone with a B-license is allowed to drive it. Also, on French toll roads you pay a higher rate officially but I think you can get away paying as a vehicle <=3500kg, but once vehicle data is shared and recognized by ANPR-camera's, this game is over.
In The Netherlands we did not get a C1-license as a gift after passing the B driving test.

I did however spec the van to enable up plating as I ordered the 2100kg front axle and heavy duty stabilizers, but this is plan B. Plan A is to stay under 3500kg even though I know it's incredibly hard, my spreadsheet tells me.

 

[rod_vw]

Up plating is a possibility albeit with limitations; I have a cat. B license which is valid up to a GVW of 3500kg and when you raise the GVW the need rises for the C1 license, for vehicles with a GVW up to 7500kg. It also means I am limited in my allowed top speed at 90 km/h which is something I want to avoid. The license change also means I have a smaller possibility of having someone drive the vehicle when I get incapacitated. Now anyone with a B-license is allowed to drive it. Also, on French toll roads you pay a higher rate officially but I think you can get away paying as a vehicle <=3500kg, but once vehicle data is shared and recognized by ANPR-camera's, this game is over.
In The Netherlands we did not get a C1-license as a gift after passing the B driving test.

I did however spec the van to enable up plating as I ordered the 2100kg front axle and heavy duty stabilizers, but this is plan B. Plan A is to stay under 3500kg even though I know it's incredibly hard, my spreadsheet tells me.

Your rules are very similar to ours in the UK. If you passed your practical car test (licence category B) before 1 January 1997 you would automatically also acquire licence categories BE, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E. Which applied to us BUT when a driver with those rights reaches the age of seventy we automatically loose the C1 entitlement unless we have (and pass) a medical examination. This we have done. However there are differences for motorcaravans with an UNLADEN WEIGHT less than 3050kg which then are limited to the same limits as cars.
You are perfectly correct about the French (and other parts of Europe) rules which make things difficult for those of us with heavier vehicles, not just speed limits but things like 'Angles Morts' stickers in France.

 

[Lebowski]

Thanks for the clarification on British driver license regulations, I acquired my B-license before 1997 but had to take a separate test for BE, I was however 'gifted' category AM upon passing the B-test. I never use AM because as a Dutchie I prefer the 5 litre V2 over the 50cc moped.
And when I passed the BE-test I was gifted T, for agricultural tractors.
These being gifted were because of my age, I guess a certain experience is associated with age and therefore these 2 category's were gifted.