jackdaw wrote:Heikki, Where do you stand with the strict trailer laws over in Finland ? Are you allowed to use the kit frame, as it was imported and over a cetain age ? or do you have to use a urepeen chassis.... It would be a shame to loose the original frame.
Dave
Good Question Dave. 1st They are 60 years old. 2ndly these Kits have
been registered before 2007.
One lucky thing too is they were cleared by customs as Vintage Caravans under 750 kilograms. Instead of a Utility Trailers, Thanks to some knowledgable Caravaners here that know what they are.
They have to be inspected 1 time only. Mostly they must have EU Approved lighting as far as I know. But I will have them inspected with the EU lighting and pop vintage lighting back on.
Now the biggest unfortunate problem is this, The ball that fits these is 1 7/8,s inch. which is aprox. 48mm. this will not fit the ball of our vehicle nor any other tested so far. Sadly enough possibly we,ll have to modify the ball hitch on the Kits. But how else but to cut off the originals which is a deeeep shame. Or the best solution we will take the original off. And have a pipe bender make copies of the towbars and have Euro couplings added, most likely from Al-ko. This will keep everything original as possible.
Also the towbar is not affected by the EU Towbar regulation since it has been used before 2007 January..
Also I was told that the same law aplies as does to vintage cars or trucks. It can be licensed as a Vintage or Classic Trailer with Museum Plates. Such is not the case with caravans.
However 2 Historical Caravan Association Inspectors have come to visit and take photos of these and say.. now we are going to rattle the cage of our Vehicle and Motor Division People and to start rallying for a Law to change on these being the same as that of Vintage or Classical Cars. Since we have 2 examples to prove to them that they do exist. So must wait on that but in the meantime I can have them registered as Caravans under 750 Kilo.. Positive and negative news at the same time.
The biggest relief was that the customs cleared them as caravans and not some utility trailer..
So much for the scoop so far.
One of the tears will end up for show in one of the biggest Historical Car Museums for the winter. Which is great. The other will have teardown begin this fall or early winter.
Weve got material chosen for them already. Aluminum will not be used on the outer shell but brushed stainless instead. Lots of nice materials will be used on these.
To the best of our knowledge we know of no other original Kits in Europe or Scandinavia. If anyone knows of any please let us know about it.
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:23 pm