Stormin

On second thoughts I think I'd just run it as is then check the tool slides in again afterwards. Then you know there's been no movement. The clutch plates can't move enough to cause damage can they?

No chance of fixing your aligning tool in place during the test run to eliminate clutch plate movement? Appreciate it'd have to be very well fixed to avoid flying out and damaging expensive new components.

Mike, This taken from post 79, would appear to indicate that MPV's are also exempt from testing. Don't know where I got the tax exempt bit from!

Thought we were back on topic now after a slight diversion! Lightening up what's been a heavy and at times contentious thread can't hurt.

Neil, Road haulage is a very competitive business and whilst some may charge the earth the general going rate tends to be around the same amongst a lot of firms. Your £300 pound rate probably wouldn't have been much different if you'd been moving 100 miles. The fact is your short job tied up a man and vehicle for a day. Not much chance of doing another job that day so they've got to make it pay. Running your own low loader,drops, beavertail as your transport isn't going to be cheap. The only saving really is on a drivers wages. The time between shows the vehicle is stood around costing you money and not earning. Fuel, tyres, servicing costs etc are roughly the same as for a commercial haulier. One of the few savings to be made is by registering as MPV thus avoiding road fund cost and plating costs. If not willing to `risk' the MPV route it's probably not that attractive and economic a proposition to run your own transport, purely for MV shows.

Haven't some 432's been re-engined again with a newer straight diesel rather than multi-fuel engine? Too new to be released into civilian hands I suspect. Did the FV433 Abbott SPG follow the same mods? And are there any left in service?

These self assessed brake test are very likely to be carried out unladen. Stopping distances will be increased when loaded. The VOSA test will apply a load to the vehicle before testing. (I know MOT exempt should be unladen, but how many are in reality?) Whilst a tapley meter and other tests can measure stopping distance, they cannot detect deficiencies in brake balance or any binding. A slightly over adjusted brake or one that is slow to release can cause a build up of heat in the brakes leading to eventual failure. The VOSA brake test will test for rolling resistance and possible brake binding before and after several applications of the brakes.

What no Whitworth? I always find that however many taps and dies I've got, I've never got the correct one.

I know banks are looking a bit dodgy for investing your hard earned these days, but why not just keep it under the mattress like everyone else?

That tank looks a bit too bling for a MV! Would've looked more in keeping in it's original colour scheme. Suppose rusty looking air tanks inside a vehicle don't go down to well with inspectors though. :police: Couldn't you rotate the tank so the gauge is visible and replace it with a working one. I don't doubt the smooth running of your motor but doubt you'd hear an air leak once the vehicle is running. It'd also give a visual indication all was well. You wouldn't want to go for the horn, to let people know you were there, then only let out a embarassing little ffrrt!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The TVO type mix should help with valve lubrication. I'd be trying it before any of the `snake oil' systems.

You never know. Expect the testers there probably get bored of seeing run of the mill trucks and would fall be glad of the variety. Tester seemed quite interested when I took my MJ in, said he hadn't been in one since his army days. Don't know if they'd appreciate the entry and exit route to the cab of a stolly, or having to lift the load decks to examine the air lines. I won't even mention the emissions test and backfiring B81's :cool2:

Freight trains use their two tone, as they speed across the road at the level crossing down the road from my house. I've never seen the police pull them over.

Thanks XSK460, for the reply on the VOSA v Greenfarms case. It highlights the fact that the definition of tractor was not clear to the judges in the intial prosecution. I think that the definition of Mobile Project Vehicle is even less clear, and open to interpretation. It'll probably only be clarified in a future case. I wouldn't want to be the one to put it to the test.

Thanks for that Grumpy. Didn't realise it was possible to get just the brakes checked and at reasonable cost. The only thing to fear is that if your vehicles was to fail it would not then be allowed back out on the road. This would probably put a few people off. There's is also more to vehicle safety than just the brakes.

Can you give us more details on the VOSA v Greenfarms case then? Sounds interesting, but the only site I can find with information seems to require a login. What was the actual offence or list of offences?

But what's more important the driver's competence as measured by a licence or the mechanical condition of the truck? Most of the trucks being driven on car licences are also claiming MOT exemption. The best driver in the world is no good if the brakes are shot.

Not familiar with explorers. What brake system do they run, air over hydraulic or purely air? Also is it twin or single circuit? Spring brakes or not? Have you an air brake schematic diagram to post up? Safest way is usually to run a take off from a small auxillary line like that to the air wipers. Any fault in the smaller diameter lines isn't likely to lead to a rapid and catastrophic loss or air pressure. Trouble is if you've got a large and air hungry horn you may to need to run a small reservoir to supply it as the delivered air volume won't be enough.

Welcome Paul. Be nice to see a few pictures of your extensive fleet, and the new arrival.

I've been observing this thread for a while but been reluctant to post as it's developed into a heated argument. But here's my take on it. If people on here can read the same words and form very different opinions then surely there would be a good defence case in court should someone fall foul. If the regulations as written are unclear then it is asking for people to take advantage of loopholes. Whether they remain loopholes or get clarification can only be decided after a court hearing. Getting something in writing from someone at VOSA wouldn't be enough of a defence on it's own.

Exactly what I was thinking Mike! Can't think of any reason they'd be used that way. Can't reduce the overall width by very much can it?

A few more detail photographs and one `before' shot.

Whilst myself and my missus have been busy with the new arrival, my friends at DJM engineering has been getting on with the back body work for the Ward. Managed to pop up for half an hour and have a look today. What a fantastic job they've made of it!