WAV plate that covers rear footwell

[dxcamper]

I have a 2013 WAV that we use as a camper. Removed all the WAV fittings including winch and wheelchair belts etc...

The winch was attached to a steel plate that covers the footwell at the rear. This is bolted in place with the front seat bolts (the back 4) and then about 8 hex bolts where the plate meets the top of the inclined floor that was put in for the wheelchair.

I have had this plate off as the electrics for the winch are under it and I now use this wire for the split charger but the question is, does the plate offer any structural integrity to the vehicle or was it just added for a winch mounting spot and to level the back floor?

Ideally I would like to remove it as it still has the footwell storage spots and it does give a bit of extra headroom if needed.

Any ideas if its safe to take out? I would assume the inclined floor would be equivalent to the original floor in terms of strength so my initial thoughts are it would be fine?

ETA - photo attached. Ignore my daughters collie - she doesn't like cars!


Cheers

[Vlad]

I have a 2013 WAV that we use as a camper. Removed all the WAV fittings including winch and wheelchair belts etc...

The winch was attached to a steel plate that covers the footwell at the rear. This is bolted in place with the front seat bolts (the back 4) and then about 8 hex bolts where the plate meets the top of the inclined floor that was put in for the wheelchair.

I have had this plate off as the electrics for the winch are under it and I now use this wire for the split charger but the question is, does the plate offer any structural integrity to the vehicle or was it just added for a winch mounting spot and to level the back floor?

Ideally I would like to remove it as it still has the footwell storage spots and it does give a bit of extra headroom if needed.

Any ideas if its safe to take out? I would assume the inclined floor would be equivalent to the original floor in terms of strength so my initial thoughts are it would be fine?

ETA - photo attached. Ignore my daughters collie - she doesn't like cars!


Cheers

If you can contact the conversion company they will be able to give definitive answers. My other vehicle is a Wav, and my dealings with  motabilty conversion company has been all good.

[dxcamper]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea who did the conversion unfortunately.

[Vlad]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea who did the conversion unfortunately.

Have you got a service history for the car? May have the original dealer details, or the original number plates? The conversion company usually put their names on their plates. A bit of detective work where you can find out where (city/town) the car was first registered, then a google search for WAV conversion companies in that location. Give them a ring with your reg. no and they can confirm if its one of theirs.

[ffrenchie]

If the original structure is still underneath it it is only there to level the floor up. I can't see why you shouldn't remove it if it's only bolted in.

[dxcamper]

Thanks for the help so far. I am in the same thinking as ffrenchie that surely it was just to level the floor and make a securing point for the winch etc.

I have however found a window sticker Vlad with possibly the company name on so I have sent an email off to them.

[dxcamper]

Had a reply back from the conversion company and it seems it is a structural part of the vehicle and cannot be removed which surprised me!

[Vlad]

Had a reply back from the conversion company and it seems it is a structural part of the vehicle and cannot be removed which surprised me!

Well, at least now you know for sure. Dread to think of the consequences of removing it without finding out.

[Gadgetman]

If that plate is structural(which I read more like: office drone responding either misunderstood or responded with a 'safe' answer rather that ask the people who designed the conversion.) that would mean they did a lot of changes to the underside of the car. Enough that it should probably have been through a 'Single Vehicle Acceptance' inspection. That's something you really don't want to go through, and most engineers will avoid it if possible. Particularly if they're making more than one WAV... (The inspection is expensive, and takes a lot of time. and needs to be done to every one of them as they're built. )

This should be apparent on the paperwork from the authorities.

So yeah, I call Bovine Produced Natural Fertiliser on the response.

[Sol]

I agree with @Gadgetman. The Vans also ALL have that plate and it only covers the passenger footwell required for the car version. It can easily be removed, there is NO WAY that is structural.