Questions about a van

[ped]

Hi, I am looking at purchasing an old van that I'm looking at. It appears to be a viscount 13 foot caravan. The only identifying marks I can find is a "Y1977" welded on the A frame near the towbar coupling. There was a small plate in the van (just on a bench), but it is no help as it was painted over and didn't seem to be engraved. I have a couple of questions - Is Y1977 the year of manufacture, the chasis number... or both ? Which doesn't sound right as I'm sure Viscount made more than one van in 1977 lol. The other question is about the ATM. Working off some advice I read that the weight of the van could be approximated by using length (13) x 52kg + 100kg = 776 kg. If this is correct, is that just the weight of the van, or the ATM. Which poses the question also of could it be declared as 750kg ATM and therefore only need a self assessment for registration ?

Thanks in advance for any help offered. I have never registered a van before and am totally ignorant of the topic at hand.

[pisces51]

G'day ped, and welcome to the forum. 

I reckon you'll find the van is a York model from late 1969 or during 1970. Yorks typically had chassis numbers starting with a 'Y' followed by numbers. Are the windows a single sheet of glass, or are they 3 louvre panels??

You are on the right track for calculating the approx tare weight. No need for the '+100' bit, which only applies to the second axle in a tandem axle van.

The tare weight is approx 676kgs. The ATM is another 300kgs on top of the tare, so 976kgs all up. Isn't it the tare weight that the rego authorities use to decide self determination?

cheers,
Al.

[twocutekelpies]

I think that number would be too early for louvre windows Al, mine's a '72 and still has the full pane, I could be wrong though, some Millards had them very early. There's a news article on my York build ditzygypsy.proboards.com/thread/4665/1972-york-chassis-restoration-y3845 which states that their 10ft York is 11cwt (558.8kg), I haven't weighed mine yet to see how accurate it is, but it doesn't seem too far off that calculation method.
Cheers
Shelley

[ped]

G'day Al and Shelley. Thanks for your replies. The side windows are all single pane, but the end windows are actually 2 windows which are long and skinny (I assume this is what you mean by louvre). It also has what to me seems a strange set of lights, because on the back is a blinker and on the side (but very close to the end of the van) is what seems to be a combo light, yellow and red. Although I took them both apart to have a look and there is only one wire going in to each light. I expected 2 to be going into the combo light. They all need replacing anyway as they are faded and perished. Only other thing that might be an identifying mark is the strip is orange on the sides, about midway up.

Oh and I'll recheck but am fairly sure it's the ATM they use for the self assessment weight limit.

thanks,

Ped

P.S. The windows are rounded on the bottom corners. Not square.

[twocutekelpies]

Hi Ped, the front and back windows are known as double hopper, the louvre style are rectangular with squared corners and they wind out not push out.

I assume you're talking about the side marker lights, yellow to the front, red to the rear, this is run by your tail light wire (brown on your trailer plug) the earth goes to the van. I changed all of mine to LED and ran new wiring as there was corrosion to the frame and cladding from the earth running through the van.
If you're interested in my full reno, I have more photos and details here - caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=76924
Not finished yet but getting there

[ped]

Oh, I just added a PS and now I see you already replied Shelley The windows are rounded at the bottom and they all push out. Although a couple of the extending arms are missing. Yep, I am interested and will go have a look at your reno now !

I thought it may be more helpful if I showed you the van. We pick it up in a day or two. But I get a message that the forum has exceeded it's space limit and won't allow me to attach it.

Where there's a will, there's a way lol. I made it my profile pic. Hope that helps...

[twocutekelpies]

Oh yeah she's definitely a York. You need to post photos via a third party, I use Flickr and find it ok, just takes a bit to get used to. Here's the instructions for posting pics ditzygypsy.proboards.com/thread/4420/post-photos-on-forum

If you're pulling lining out, keep an eye out for a build date next to the front window written on the back of the plywood 

[captivenut]

Hi Ped, congrats on your purchase. Was the van in Kingaroy by chance? I spotted a for sale listing which sounds very similar. It was definitely a York and a very early one. It had a recessed rear window with a short angular projection in the bodywork directly below the rear window plus squarish wheel arches - they are the tell tale hallmarks of very early Yorks, circa 1969.
Regards, Arthur

[captivenut]

Ped, if you opt for self assessment weight your ATM will be restricted to 750kgms. For your 13 footer the Tare weight won't be much lower than that - probably mid 600's? That doesn't give you much leeway for spare wheel, jack & tools, utensils, bedding, clothing, water, etc?...you may have to leave your toothbrush behind?

[ped]

Hi Arthur. Yep that was the one we bought. It needs a fair amount of work, but I don't mind that. It should be fun.
You are right, self assessment isn't a good option. I was just exploring options is all.
Cheers mate
Ped

[captivenut]

Ped, I was pretty sure it would be that same van. There aren't many Yorks around of that vintage. I think it's a 69 model which is the first year of their release. I'm in Vic so no where near Kingaroy, but I take a particular interest old Yorks. Does it have a wood frame? Good luck with the resto/rebuild.

[ped]

I couldn't tell you what the frame is yet. The walls are all covered... even though some will have to be replaced. I just assumed, because of it's vintage, that it would be a wood frame. I thought metal frames only came in years later. But I really don't know much about old vans at all.

[captivenut]

Rivets securing the cladding = metal frame, screws = wood frame.

[ped]

Ahh, ok. Makes sense. In that case I'll let you know which it 9is after I pick it up tomorrow

[ped]

Hi Arthur, It is a timber frame. Luckily the people we bought it off were decent as apparently someone has been hassling them to sell for a higher price. I'm really happy that they stuck to our agreement and the van is safely at home now. And I found the perfect led lights compliments of Shelley's reno tips. And at a great price. This is going to be fun !! lol.