Registration requirements
Requirements for H-plates on motorhomes
A car becomes a classic car at the age of 30, officially confirmed by the ‘H’ (for ‘historic’) on the right-hand side of the number plate. However, only vehicles that are largely in their original condition or have been professionally restored are eligible for the H-licence plate. They contribute to the “preservation of automotive heritage”, and this is rewarded, for example, through a lower tax burden. Anyone seeking an H-licence plate for their motorhome must bear a few basic points in mind. Essentially, the vehicle must be assessed by a certified expert from TÜV or similar. To this end, the vehicle must meet certain requirements for a positive assessment in accordance with Section 23 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).
Proof of age
Vehicle age and obligation to provide proof
Only vehicles that were first registered more than 30 years ago can be officially classified as classic cars and receive the code number “0098”. The burden of proof lies with the vehicle owner. When determining the vehicle’s age, some registration authorities do not use the exact date of first registration as a basis, but refer only to the year of first registration. As procedures vary in this regard, it is recommended that you contact the relevant administrative authority in advance on a case-by-case basis.
Inspection procedure
Inspection in
accordance with Sections 29 and 23 of the StVZO
Firstly, an inspection is carried out in accordance with Section 29 of the StVZO if the vehicle has a valid type-approval and the last general inspection took place more than two months ago. Once the general inspection has been passed, an assessment is carried out in accordance with Section 23 of the StVZO. The vehicle must be in its original condition. In individual cases, exceptions may be made for certain features (subject to consultation with the relevant classic car specialist).
Modifications
Contemporary modifications and
supporting
documentation
Modifications that were permitted in the past – i.e. those that are contemporary – can still be carried out today; this means that classic cars can still be fitted with additional air springs without jeopardising their H-licence plate status. Vehicle owners must present the relevant documentation during the inspection. We are happy to issue the necessary certificates and declarations for submission to the TÜV on an individual basis. The vehicle presented must be in a good state of care and maintenance. Further information on this can be found, for example, on the TÜV Association’s website or in the supplementary PDF from TÜV Süd.
Weight issues
Classic motorhomes and increasing the load capacity – is it possible?
The vehicle registration document specifies a maximum gross weight and the permissible axle loads set by the manufacturer for each vehicle. These weight limits, including payload and passengers, must not be exceeded. On the one hand, overloading can result in heavy fines; on the other, exceeding the load limits can cause parts of the motorhome to wear out more quickly, thereby creating significant risks to road safety and handling. However, by increasing the rear axle load or raising the permissible gross vehicle weight, it is possible to enhance the motorhome’s load-carrying capacity.
Spare parts supply
Solutions for classic chassis
Anyone whose classic motorhome is at its weight limit faces the problem that there are no longer many manufacturers able to supply suitable accessories to increase the load capacity. Many motorhome manufacturers built their vehicles on the Fiat Ducato/Peugeot/Citroën 280/290 chassis up until 1994. One of the few companies still able to supply period-correct accessories for this platform is our company. As early as the 1980s, we developed the first air spring for the Fiat Ducato in collaboration with ContiTech, designed as an auxiliary air spring. To this day, the AirLift auxiliary air suspension is available in the same design and is classified by inspectors as a period-correct accessory. A major advantage: a motorhome fitted with this auxiliary air suspension does not lose its eligibility for the H-licence plate.
supplementary air suspension
– support for leaf springs – a solution for older Fiat Ducato, Peugeot and Citroën motorhomes with Eurochassis
It’s not just owners of classic motorhomes who benefit from supplementary air suspension. In older vehicles in particular, the leaf springs on the rear axle have lost tension due to the heavy weight of the bodywork and have sagged. This can be easily remedied with an AirLift auxiliary air suspension. It is fitted in parallel with the existing original leaf suspension and restores the vehicle to a safe level at a fair price-performance ratio.
product benefits
The benefits of the Linnepe-AirLift
The Linnepe-AirLift is fitted with roller bellows that were developed in collaboration with the specialist Contitech specifically to meet the requirements of motorhomes. The Linnepe-AirLift is suitable for motorhomes with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,850 kg and is supplied as a cost-effective single-circuit system without a compressor. The AirLift is also available as a 2-circuit system as an option.
Linnepe
Technical highlights :
- Enhanced road safety
- Optimised ride comfort
- Smoother suspension
- Improved steering response
- Support for the standard spring
- 100% maintenance-free
- Reduced sensitivity to crosswinds
- Fits without drilling or welding on the chassis
Compatibility
The AirLift suspension is suitable for the following motorhomes :
You can find the relevant vehicle list for our AirLift systems here.
- Ducato/Peugeot/Citroën 280/290 (up to 1994)
- Ducato/Peugeot/Citroën 230/244 (1995–2006)
- Ducato/Peugeot/Citroën 250 (from 2006)
- MB Sprinter/VW LT single tyres (from 1996)
- MB Sprinter/VW Crafter single tyres (from 2006)
- Ford Transit single tyres (from 2000)
- Optional load capacity increase: Available for Eurochassis Ducato / Peugeot / Citroen, depending on the model.
Legal framework
Modifying your motorhome by increasing its load
capacity – what you need to know
Whether you’re buying a motorhome or considering increasing the load capacity of the rear axle, you’ll soon come up against the issue of the 3.5-tonne limit. If the gross vehicle weight is increased to over 3.5 tonnes by retrofitting the Ducato motorhome, this brings more than just increased load capacity. Below 3.5 tonnes, an EU Class B driving licence is sufficient for this type of motorhome. Standard car traffic rules apply, and using ferries and toll roads is often significantly cheaper. However, anyone planning to use their campervan for larger family holidays, including luggage such as inflatable boats, scooters, water supplies and bicycles, does not necessarily have to choose a model over 3.5 tonnes by increasing the load capacity retrospectively.
Traffic regulations for
vehicles
over 3.5
tonnes
Restrictions on heavy vehicles
In addition, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are subject to truck ban signs; overtaking is prohibited, and a minimum distance of 50 metres must be maintained at speeds of 50 km/h or above. Parking regulations for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes also differ from those for ordinary cars. Due to the high fines and the motorhome’s unstable handling when the permissible limits for axle load and gross vehicle weight are exceeded, it is important to ensure the vehicle is loaded correctly. With Linnepe’s suspension systems, you can ensure an even axle load and maximum driving pleasure – regardless of whether the motorhome is fully loaded or not.
Unsere Produkte
Wiring kit for operating a tow bar: lighting and trailer detection. Installation takes one to three hours depending on the vehicle – on request, we will include it in the quotation.
Auxiliary air suspension dual-circuit for Fiat Ducato from 06/2006Light-Chassis, Heavy-Chassis (only ALKO single-axle low-frame)includes: - 12V compressor "basic" - double control unit for the driver's cab
Auxiliary air suspension dual-circuit for MB Sprinter type 910 from 06/2018 with ALKO chassisincludes: - 12V compressor "basic" - double control unit for the driver's cab
Auxiliary air suspension dual-circuit 8" for Eurochassis x250 (rear axle)for model series 30 "light" - 40 "heavy"only for vehicles without electronic parking brake includes:- payload upgrade expert report - 12V compressor - compressor bracket - vehicle-specific double control unit for the driver's cab !!!ATTENTION!!! not for vehicles with all-wheel drive Customs tariff number: 87088099 Item consists of 1 package
Auxiliary air suspension with two large-volume double-convolution air bellows, vehicle-specific with 6-inch or 8-inch air bellows. Always supplied as a dual-circuit system including compressor (operated via the control unit in the driver's cab). Retrofitting usually without chassis modification (uses factory drill holes). Only possible with a leaf-sprung rear axle (not with torsion bar suspension).For the Fiat Ducato and identical vehicles, a free payload upgrade expert report (gross vehicle weight including axle load adjustment) is included in the scope of delivery. For the MAN TGE, Ford Transit and MB Sprinter 910, the expert report enables an increase of the permissible gross vehicle weight.Payload upgrade expert report by vehicle:| Vehicle | Tyres | Model year | Payload upgrade report | |---|---|---|---| | FiatPeugeotCitroën 250/290 | – | from 2006 | included | | Opel Movano | – | from 2021 | included | | Toyota Proace Max | – | from 2024 | included | | MB SprinterVW Crafter | single/twin tyres | from 2006 | – | | MB Sprinter type 910 FWD | – | from 2018 | included | | Ford Transit | single/twin tyres | from 2006 | – | | Ford Transit FWD | – | from 2014 | included | | MAN TGE / VW Crafter | single/twin tyres | from 6/2017 | included | | Renault Master | – | from 2010 | – |Payload upgrade potential Fiat Ducato (Eurochassis), from model year 2006, X250/290:The code letter on the type plate (column "Versione") designates the chassis variant. Digits 1 and 2 on the type plate = axle loads.| Chassis | Code letter | Max. GVW | Requirement | |---|---|---|---| | Light Chassis | A, B, C, G, L | up to 4,250 kg | suitable wheel/tyre combination required; tyre load capacity min. 1,200 kg | | Heavy Chassis | D, E, H, M | up to 4,700 kg | suitable wheel/tyre combination required; tyre load capacity min. 1,350 kg |Proof of the load capacity of rim and tyre is required for the TÜV inspection.Payload upgrade of further chassis with AirLift Maxi:| Vehicle base | Model year | Max. GVW | |---|---|---| | Ford Transit type MK7 (front-wheel drive) | from 2014 | up to 4,000 kg | | Mercedes Sprinter 910 FWD | from 2018 | up to 4,300 kg | | MAN TGE / VW Crafter | from 06/2017 | up to 4,400 kg |Online payload upgrade configurator: schnellerauflasten.dePayload upgrade procedure: 1) Check the possibility using the type plate → 2) Install auxiliary air suspension (AirLift / AirLift Maxi) → 3) TÜV/DEKRA inspection and registration in the vehicle documents. Note: Exceeding individual axle loads also legally counts as overloading.
Auxiliary air suspension dual-circuit 6" for Ford Transit (rear axle) from model 05/2019 (with ABS) only for vehicles with front-wheel drive & single tyres includes: - 12V compressor "basic" - double control unit for the driver's cab - payload upgrade expert report
Auxiliary air suspension 6" dual-circuit for Mercedes Benz Sprinter NCV3series 906 04/2006 - 05/2018 VW Crafter 2E 04/2006 - 11/2016 only for 3.5-tonne chassis includes: - 12V compressor "basic" - double control unit for the driver's cab
Auxiliary air suspension with two large-volume double-convolution air bellows, vehicle-specific with 6-inch or 8-inch air bellows. Always supplied as a dual-circuit system including compressor (operated via the control unit in the driver's cab). Retrofitting usually without chassis modification (uses factory drill holes). Only possible with a leaf-sprung rear axle (not with torsion bar suspension).For the Fiat Ducato and identical vehicles, a free payload upgrade expert report (gross vehicle weight including axle load adjustment) is included in the scope of delivery. For the MAN TGE, Ford Transit and MB Sprinter 910, the expert report enables an increase of the permissible gross vehicle weight.Payload upgrade expert report by vehicle:| Vehicle | Tyres | Model year | Payload upgrade report | |---|---|---|---| | FiatPeugeotCitroën 250/290 | – | from 2006 | included | | Opel Movano | – | from 2021 | included | | Toyota Proace Max | – | from 2024 | included | | MB SprinterVW Crafter | single/twin tyres | from 2006 | – | | MB Sprinter type 910 FWD | – | from 2018 | included | | Ford Transit | single/twin tyres | from 2006 | – | | Ford Transit FWD | – | from 2014 | included | | MAN TGE / VW Crafter | single/twin tyres | from 6/2017 | included | | Renault Master | – | from 2010 | – |Payload upgrade potential Fiat Ducato (Eurochassis), from model year 2006, X250/290:The code letter on the type plate (column "Versione") designates the chassis variant. Digits 1 and 2 on the type plate = axle loads.| Chassis | Code letter | Max. GVW | Requirement | |---|---|---|---| | Light Chassis | A, B, C, G, L | up to 4,250 kg | suitable wheel/tyre combination required; tyre load capacity min. 1,200 kg | | Heavy Chassis | D, E, H, M | up to 4,700 kg | suitable wheel/tyre combination required; tyre load capacity min. 1,350 kg |Proof of the load capacity of rim and tyre is required for the TÜV inspection.Payload upgrade of further chassis with AirLift Maxi:| Vehicle base | Model year | Max. GVW | |---|---|---| | Ford Transit type MK7 (front-wheel drive) | from 2014 | up to 4,000 kg | | Mercedes Sprinter 910 FWD | from 2018 | up to 4,300 kg | | MAN TGE / VW Crafter | from 06/2017 | up to 4,400 kg |Online payload upgrade configurator: schnellerauflasten.dePayload upgrade procedure: 1) Check the possibility using the type plate → 2) Install auxiliary air suspension (AirLift / AirLift Maxi) → 3) TÜV/DEKRA inspection and registration in the vehicle documents. Note: Exceeding individual axle loads also legally counts as overloading.
Auxiliary air suspension 6" dual-circuit for Mercedes Benz Sprinter NCV3series 906 04/2006 - 05/2018 VW Crafter 2E 04/2006 - 11/2016 only for 3.5-tonne chassis includes: - 12V compressor "basic" - double control unit for the driver's cab
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Expert advice & service
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