Around the CAMPFIRE

‘MOTORHOME – TARE OR GVM?

I bought a motorhome last year and need some input and advice. The vehicle was built in the late 80’s and was professionally constructed on a 1977 international Harvester construction truck’s chassis. It is classified as a “Special Vehicle – motorized caravan”.

The Tare on the registration papers indicates a weight of 4,4 ton, but when I weighed the vehicle at a weighbridge it shows 7,2 ton.

The 4 400 kg is obviously what was allocated to the chassis it was built on.

The vehicle is licensed, registered and has been on the road since it was built. I am the fourth owner and it has travelled all over the past three decades.

Apparently I must have the vehicle taken for SAP clearance, roadworthy again, and then obtain an LOA certificate from NRCS to have the weight changed on the registration papers.

Is this necessary, considering the vehicle has been on the road for over 30 years as a motorhome?

I liaised with Alta Swanepoel who specialises in the Road Traffic Act – she