Hi all UK Europe builders, do not disrepair.
IVA – Individual Vehicle Assessment
I have just finished my TD and it has just passed its IVA. I guess that makes me an expert of sorts.
The paperwork is confusing, which could do with a comprehensive how to guide.
For example it took ages to discover that although your trailer needs a VIN number, sometimes called a Trailer Identification Number they are the same thing and within guidelines you just make one up.
I was not looking forward to this part of the build. I am a professional engineer and consider solutions to be the result of thought, calculation and best practice. Unfortunately the IVA process is universally manned by dedicated readers of the book who are proud not to interpret it.
This lead to an issue with my wonderful curved polycarbonate windows. Initially a show stopper and nearly lead to a chainsaw party and a plan to put the whole thing in a skip.
Amazingly I managed to get a one off waver, the final email went a little like this.
DVSA – Driver & Vehicle Standards Authority ie the vehicle testing people.
IVA – Individual Vehicle Assessment ie my trailer
VCA – Vehicle Certification Agency ie the people who grant type approval.
DfT – Department for Transport. ie the Government
Further to discussions between our own DVSA IVA Policy Department, the VCA and the DfT.
Whereby the requirements for IVA are quite clear in the Inspection Manual in that all safety glazing must be of an “approved” type 43R and as such display the relevant permanent marking as applied by the manufacturer, on this occasion the DfT appear keen to grant a concession for your “one-off” build and are prepared to allow a relaxation to the requirements.
I do not recommend this route to anyone as the likelihood of reproducing my skin of the teeth escape is extremely low.
As I was the manufacturer of the windows and had traceability of the material used I could qualify that 8'x4' piece of polycarbonate. My side windows, yacht deck hatches, however were made if in France and I had no chance of qualifying those. I found that there is a healthy supply chain for automotive glass at reasonable costs so I got drop in replacement glass. Limited only by the fact that it has to be flat, you can have round corners, tinted, drilled holes no problem and most importantly 43R approved.
Don't give up. But avoid plastic windows: Clive
[img][/img]