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Bedford TM & GVW de-rating Bedford TM & GVW de-rating
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OVER 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Tatra, Unimog, Iveco etc.
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  #1  
Old 30 Dec 2008
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Bedford TM & GVW de-rating
Hi,

Any thoughts about the Bedford TM and whether it's a bag of nails or OK?, I'm also interested as to whether it's possible to get the GVW rating down to 7.5T in the UK.

I was looking at 4x4 sprinter / 4x4 Iveco cab but they are expensive, but they meet the wife's criteria of being pretty and not white.

I've come across a TM 4x4 troop box carrier (not sure how much yet £), not quite what I was after in terms of config, but 95% there. If it comes in an 50% the cost of an Iveco / Merc with the added benefit of some ground clearance (OK Iveco is not too much on an issue on that one) then it's in wit a shout..... unless it costs a fortune to run.

I don't want to do the HGV / LGV test, so de-rating is an issue, if the TM also does the MPG of a Russian truck (which I've also looked at) then that is also an issue - though a £20k saving on a posh van, can buy a shed load of fuel.

Comments would be appreciated.

RTS
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  #2  
Old 31 Dec 2008
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I dont think the TMs were ever produced for such a lightweight market, they were middleweight 16tonne upto 42tonne in rigid and articulated configurations.

I dont think the 4tonne (payload) 4x4 variant was ever produced as Bedford did not win the Army contract in the 1980s.

If you are looking at an ex army 4x4 TM then I think the tare weight will defeat you at about 8-9tonnes.
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  #3  
Old 1 Jan 2009
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Thanks for the reply...

What came to mind was that is if the actual base vehicle GVW is 17000Kg, and the Max payload is 8000Kg, would that make the base weight of the vehicle 9000kg?

Still doesn't get around the HGV issue, but (for example) where I live, there's a ban of street parking of anything over 7500kg overnight.

But does a 'core' TM weight 9 tonnes??...

Regards,

RTS
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  #4  
Old 2 Jan 2009
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I'd say that the base vehicle without any body fitted would be in the 8 tonne range - bear in mind it was for a 4x4 army truck so tare weight was not a big issue. I think you may have to look at the lower weight TKs or Leyland Dafs that replaced them if you want to stick with an ex army vehicle that can be driven on a car licence. There are some nice Unimogs about!!

I had a book with UK truck specs but as always cant find it when I want it, I'll keep looking.
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  #5  
Old 2 Jan 2009
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Bedford TM
The Bedford TM's are to heavy to de-rate to 7.49t, been there and looked at it. You can shed some weight by removing the very heavy army spec load bed but this still leaves you with a very small payload and would not make it worth while.

I've been looking at a Leyland DAF 4x4 from Witham, these can be derated to 7.49t and are a lot more civilised to drive than a Bedford MK. They have on with a factory spec winch which would make a good option for overland travel.

If you're interested in 4x4 trucks then L Jackson (where I think you've seen the TM) have a Iveco 4x4 ruck already de-rated to 7.4t but I think they were looking for £15K for it. Have a look at their website.
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  #6  
Old 3 Jan 2009
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Many thanks for the replies...

Jacksons was where I'd seen the boxed up TM. I know another chap on here had gone down the DAF route for the weight issue reasons, so I'll have another look in that direction (and the Jacksons website again)

In terms of Unimogs, when you say there are nice one's about... I must be putting garbage into my search engine, 'cause I can't find any!!.

Also as an aside..... should I be left with a chassis vehicle... where can you go to get the box made in the UK??.. I've also struggled on that aspect.

Regards,

RTS
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