Get to know Conversion Regulations
Understand everything you need to know about Conversions, and the regulations surrounding them before you decide on your new company asset.
Converting vehicles into platforms, or tipping trucks seems reasonably straight forward, but there are various regulations that need to be considered. Lucky for you, this is our responsibility. When you are choosing a conversion, make sure you have all of the information needed to ensure you have the correct warranty and ability to insure your asset with ease.
Many of you will have heard of type approvals and manufacturer agreements, but lets take a look at why these are needed.
Before sourcing your own base vehicle, ask for some conversion quotes. Many of the large converters have good terms with the manufacturer (better than a dealer) which will bring the cost of the finished product down. CPL purchase large numbers of base vehicles directly from the manufacturer, meaning the price is a lot less than retail.
Working with the vehicle manufacturer, and gaining their approval through vigorous audits, allows the converter to pass on full vehicle warranty even after conversion. This is very important because as we all know, sometimes things do go wrong. Make sure that when you are purchasing a conversion of any type, you ask if the company have manufacturer approvals for that design.
Type approval is worth asking for too. This means that the conversion must be built to a set standard submitted to the governing body. Without this, each unit must go for an IVA examination. The waiting times can be extensive and if the manufacturer does not have a strong process, this can lengthen your wait time.
If the company you are working with convert post registration, this usually means that the product will not pass an IVA test. It is probably too heavy or does not comply with UK vehicle regulations. Always ask why! It is your choice, but make sure you have all the information before purchasing. The end product should be registered as the name of the finished unit. For example, the CPL ATAT is registered as just that. It is not a pick up. This will make it easier and cheaper for you to insure the product. If you were to have a bump or needed any repairs via your insurance, it will be a lot more straight forward.
The last aspect to consider for conversions is after care and support. Does the company have a strong support service? if not, you will need to source another business to maintain your asset. If its an access platform, it will need a loler at least every 6 months. This examination is similar to an MOT but it is solely for the boom. Does the company have any relationship with the vehicle manufacturer? if not, who will fix any faults on the base vehicle at build or after registration? Finally, does the company have a spare parts resource? It is very helpful to have access to someone with knowledge of the different parts, and access to them. You do not want to wait for the part to be identified, and then wait for it to be delivered and fitted. This is not efficient for your business.
We are here to ensure you purchase the best asset for your business. We will simply give you the information you need to make an educated choice. We may not have the product you need, but as experts, we are here to guide you. If you have any questions regarding conversions, do not hesitate to contact us. We can also suggest hire, lease and finance companies that understand conversions and will support you to make the correct decision that works for you.
