Van Truck

Hi, im just checking the MVR website to find out if i need to get ADR approval as i am taking the current rear body off which is an enclosed van type and putting an Aluminium tray on.

The rego papers state that it is registered as a VANTRUCK. My understanding of this is that it is already licensed as a Duel cab with tray or is that a diffrent description?. The body that is on it now was made purposely for the SA government, they probably had ADR approval or maybe they didnt and when it was registered in WA they just transferd the description at the MVR.

Does anyone else have a duelCab with tray from factory that says VANTRUCK on rego papers?

I Don't think the fact that technically im changing form steel tray to aluminium would have an effect on the twisting and movement of the chassis?

Hi Kav, not sure this will help. My understanding of an Oka chassis is that it was designed to have minimum flex. As this is one of the few trucks that is designed to have minimum flexing in their chassis, it would be irrelevant whether you had a single, dual, multi or full cab body. The chassis, as far as I am aware, is basically the same. So if this is the case, maybe you could find some information that confirms this. That may help you with the registration. As we are all well aware, sometimes the red tape can be most frustrating. Good luck and bye for now. Paul.

Shane, I reckon youre better off to leave (questioning ADR compliance) well alone as you could be opening a huge can of worms.
Registration bodies Australia wide have great difficulty understanding that the OKA is a multi-functional vehicle (cab-chassis) that can be supplied with different factory bolt on modules/trays or can be fitted with a custom tray like many truck/utes.

They will invariably want an engineers certificate if asked if for no other reason that this absolves them from a/. having to make a decision/determination and b/. any liability issues. Like all government departments the first goal is CYA, un-neccessary expense and customer inconvenience is a non issue. The best advice I would give is 'don't ask the question if you may not like the answer' . I may sound a bit cynical but unfortunately I think I am correct.

A more practical approach may be to ask you local registration authority something like................" I'm looking at changing my old style heavy steel truck tray to a more modern and lighter aluminium one, what do I need to do/know ?", and go down this track, I hardly think you'll need an engineers certificate for this. I wouldn't mention an enclosed back at all, why risk creating an 'issue' where there isn't one ?.

What I would consider as part of 'replacing your tray' is re-defining your tare weight (assuming the numbers on the door are the same as on your rego papers). At 4660 Kg this means your load capacity is a mere 5500 - 4660 = 840 Kg.
It must be one bloody heavy box on the back.
The LT cab-chassis weighs in at 3000 Kg, a factory dual cab module is 358 Kg for a total of 3358 Kg, so does this mean the back half weighs 1302 Kg ? Even allowing a bit for passengers etc, it's one heavy tray.

Deano.

I would Al a call at OKA Parts, he should be able to steer you in the right direction.

I think the bus module is around 1 tonne with seats etc etc

Yes i think your right Deano, i had a bit of chat with them this morning as i wanted to check if i needed a permit to travel from my workshop where i will be taking the back off to my home where i will be building the new aluminium one. They guy i spoke to at first said it was ok then he check with his superior and came back with no as it will be un-roadworthy without a tray on.

He asked why i was doing it and i explained i wanted do build a new aluminium tray, he then said because i am changing it i will need an engineers certificate. I did not try to explain to him that the one chassis was designed to take multiple variations of body's.

I cannot find any definition as to what a VANTRUCK means exactly, there is no sheet i can find on their website with the abbreviation of body types. I'd be interested to see what description other OKA's have been registered as and what configuration they were original when first registered.

If VANTRUCK = Duelcab with tray then ill be fine. Im Also interested in this for insurance purposes.

I Plan on taking the back of this Sunday and i will be weighing it on the overhead crane scales, so i will post it when i know what the weight is. I'll just do it bright and early Sunday morning and get the missus to follow behind in her car and sneak it home. Only 10 Min drive.

Regards
Kav

I could be wrong, but think it is unroadworthy becuase it will not have rear mudguards and lights. Thats why when you see trucks with out the tray on a delivery run etc, they have plastic type sheeting. Sometimes the lights are just strapped on.

You will notice a height difference, you may need to adjust the brake load valve as well.

"You will notice a height difference, you may need to adjust the brake load valve as well." if the tray is permanent and any loads temporary, you might achieve this by using the alternate suspension settings if they were changed for the heavy rear box.

Lights are fixed to the chassis so should be ok there, wont have mud flaps or anything over the wheel so ill just have to sneak it home.

The adjustment for suspension is on the max but when the tray goes on and the SC1 camper on top of it fully loaded i think it will come back to a fairly weighty set-up again so ill have to see how that goes.

I will take it to a weigh bridge and see what the weight is after all camper goes on with gear in it. The boat will come in at around 1.3 to 1.5T when its finished too.

Due to having different loads, I would be testing the brakes, and maybe adjusting the load sensing valve near the rear diff.

Hello all,I know this is wandering off the present subject a bit but how does one adjust the load sensing valve???? Chris.

Others will be able to give a better answer and explain it better.

But I think you get up to speed on a dirt track and hit the brakes. Or if you have access to a brake roller, that would be better.

You will see if the front it working more than the rear, then you adjust the rear valve so it is working front and rear.

Hi Shane I got mine changed from Qld to WA in Nov at welshpool they knew all about OKA and classified mine as P/van (bloody big P/van)but I think your are worrying about nothing,who is going to check rego and whether its steel or ally and if they did you can allways say it had a removable roof and sides
Martyn

Your probably right Mort, im just going to go for it, get it done and then go and play

My bus body OKA also says VANTRK on the registration (WA).

Get some funny rego descriptions at times.

When I started converting the big bus I had to get it registered as it was previously a tour bus with commercial plates.
Ended up on the rego papers as a panel van - forty feet long, 12 feet high and 17 tonnes tag axled shaggin' waggon.

Shane, you can transport a vehicle to and from places for work on the vehicle, provided you have functioning lights on the rear and the rear wheels are covered, similar to boat trailer mud guards.
we had to have this requirement at the old factory for vehicle road testing.

How hard is it to change the height setting? Just a matter of removing the pins after every thing is supported and putting in the other location?

dont forget the rear brake valve setting and the spacers on the rubber springs also change position instructions are on a sticker on the drivers door (i think)

Yes thanks

There are some pics at the top off this post that are someone else's i think? I didn't put them there.