Tacho installers

[Razorbill RIBs]

Am about to get a tacho which we have (was on a Maverick we had in once) fitted into the Cherokee (12v, analogue system as vehicle pre-2006) so we can use it for larger stuff (Grand Cherokee already has one, which cost alot....well, alot more than it needed to have!).

Friend /mech has confirmed its as easy as it looks to install, as does the handbook and manuf has confirmed its compatible......

Have been searching around for an approved installer /calibrator etc and have a massive range of quotes from manufacturers recognised centres up to £1.5K plus, and down to £250 ish which is based on 5 hours labour plus first calibration. Now the latter is v reasonable IMO, but got me thinking.....

Is there any reason we couldn't fit it and then merely get it tested /calibrated /certified at centre? Has anyone done it this way around and does anyone have any recomendations /know anyone who might calibrate etc if we were to do this?

Get the impression there is a fair amount of 'cashing in' on peoples ignorance as to how relatively simple this 12v kit is.....

Thanks

[Nos4r2]

You might be on a sticky one there- as far as I'm aware all vehicles regardless of age with a complete new tacho fitted should be fitted with a digital tachograph.

[Razorbill RIBs]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You might be on a sticky one there- as far as I'm aware all vehicles regardless of age with a complete new tacho fitted should be fitted with a digital tachograph.

Spoke with commissioning centre today (correct terminology?) and they said that pre 06 vehicles analogue okay?? Thanks for heads up though.....will investigate further

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Dan Worth

Spoke with commissioning centre today (correct terminology?) and they said that pre 06 vehicles analogue okay?? Thanks for heads up though.....will investigate further

I may be wrong, but those were the rules that were pushed at us when digital tachos were introduced. There may have been changes since. I'd take the tacho centre's word over mine though as they'll be more up to date.

[Pikey Dave]

About 4 years ago I was pulled by Plod on the M1,I was towing a 7m trailer with a Disco for work. He asked to see my tacho, which I didn't have fitted. After much tooing & froing between plod & VOSA, I was told that as the vehicle (Disco) was classed as "dual purpose" I didn't need a tacho. Has this now changed or are dual purpose vehicles still exempt?

[Razorbill RIBs]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

About 4 years ago I was pulled by Plod on the M1,I was towing a 7m trailer with a Disco for work. He asked to see my tacho, which I didn't have fitted. After much tooing & froing between plod & VOSA, I was told that as the vehicle (Disco) was classed as "dual purpose" I didn't need a tacho. Has this now changed or are dual purpose vehicles still exempt?

Nasher recently posted this up http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...trailer+towing Vosa /Tacho section worth a read....must admit, wasn't aware of any 'dual purpose' exemption

Exemption no.3 (if I'm reading it correctly) would seem to mean that (provided you were within vehicles limits etc), you could tow /run with a rig over the 3.5 tonne limit within 50 Klicks of base and no tacho required....

[Dry_Doc]

Originally Posted by Razorbill RIBs

Nasher recently posted this up http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...trailer+towing Vosa /Tacho section worth a read....must admit, wasn't aware of any 'dual purpose' exemption

Exemption no.3 (if I'm reading it correctly) would seem to mean that (provided you were within vehicles limits etc), you could tow /run with a rig over the 3.5 tonne limit within 50 Klicks of base and no tacho required....

This is correct, but only if driving doesn't constitute the driver's main activity - i.e. you're towing your boat to the launch site for a day on the water - OK, towing it to a boatyard for repairs - not OK.
The 'dual purpose' clause refers to the need to have an operators licence. The tacho issue is seperate.

It's an absolute minefield.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Dry_Doc

i.e. you're towing your boat to the launch site for a day on the water - OK, towing it to a boatyard for repairs - not OK.

?? Presumably just a bit of an unclear example there... but how would towing a boat to a boatyard make driving a main part of the drivers activities? If Mr X can drive a boat stored on land to a launch site where he will then use the boat then surely Mr X can a boat stored afloat to a workshop for repairs? Indeed could a mechanic Mr Y not also collect the boat for repair provided he wasn't just a delivery driver?

[Bigmuz7]

I thought hire or reward was the governing factor ?.

[Dry_Doc]

Originally Posted by Polwart

?? Presumably just a bit of an unclear example there... but how would towing a boat to a boatyard make driving a main part of the drivers activities? If Mr X can drive a boat stored on land to a launch site where he will then use the boat then surely Mr X can a boat stored afloat to a workshop for repairs? Indeed could a mechanic Mr Y not also collect the boat for repair provided he wasn't just a delivery driver?

Nope, The legislation states that you can carry tools, goods or machinery within a 50km radius of your 'base of operations' for use in the course of the driver's work. You can't tow something from A to B without then using it yourself at B.

Bonkers, but there you go.

N.B. This only applies to commercial use BTW!!