Hi Andy

Why downrate your truck in the first place? I assume it's the usual reason,to put it into the 7.5 tonne limit for an ordinary car licence, otherwise there is no point. However if that is so, then if the police stop you they will look at the original plate and treat it as an 8.5 tonner so you'd better have the right HGV licence or you're in big trouble!

As both Quintin and Moodybloo say, get on to Ford or VOSA and they will tell you what to do. It may well be just a paper excercise but you will need a new plate and only the manufacturer or their authorised agent can issue one at the relevant fee. You can't just make your own and put whatever you want on it!

If you convert permanently to a camper you would be advised to change the taxation class to 'Private HGV': as Cedar says you must not, ever, use the truck for commercial goods carrying from then on. DVLA will change the reg. doc. to Motor Caravan, Private HGV and show the newly plated weight foc on application. Of course you should also display the notice "Not for hire or reward" on the bottom of the driver's door just like we all do, don't we? (Any vehicle from 3.5 tonnes MGW upwards cannot be classed in Private Light Goods whatever it's use but if a permanent camper on an HGV base it only requires a class 4 (car) MOT. At least up to 7.5 tonnes, I don't know above that weight.

Sorry if I sound pedantic Andy, but this is a complicated subject with lots of pitfalls and misinformation flying around, not a few grey areas, and penalties for getting it wrong can be heavy. And I've not even ventured into Tachograph regulations!

IMHO you would be well advised to cough up the fee ( I think Moodybloo's was about £250, mine cost £100 but both were different types of upgrades involving no mechanical changes on 4-tonne Ivecos) and let the professionals do it, then it should be straightforward and you are not risking big fines.

Ring Ford Trucks tomorrow!

Nigel