Overloading a van can lead to substantial expenses in damaged parts and/or fines. You need to be well aware of your vehicle’s and your own capabilities. Keep close attention to the amount of weight you put on your van and see if it corresponds with its loading capacity.
Depending on the class of van that you are using for your move, you can load different amounts of luggage in them. The van capacity is different for each vehicle. However, for your convenience, we have compiled information on the most popular vehicles in the industry. Please note that you are still obliged to check with your exact van’s VIN number, just to ensure.
For FORD Transit vans, the code behind the model is actually a hint. Transit 300, for example, will have a G.V.W. of 3 tons. Once again, due to different suspension setups and motors, you need to check the manual because some Transit 300 vans have an actual G.V.W of 2.6 tons.
Luton vans have similar gross vehicle weight restrictions. The bonus of getting a Luton van as a relocation vehicle is that the cargo area is more spacious, and you can fit bulkier items, like furniture or appliances.
For both types of vans, having an extra axle will help to carry more weight.
To calculate your van’s load capacity, you must take the kerb weight out of the maximum G.V.W. That will give you a rough estimate of how much cargo you can load. Remember to note your own weight, as well.
If you don’t want to risk it, you can take advantage of our professional man and van service.
G.V.W stands for Gross Vehicle Weight. Also called design gross weight, laden weight or gross vehicle weight. It is the combined weight of the entire vehicle on the road, meaning that it consists of a couple of weights.
Weights forming the G.V.W:
Authorities will pay attention to the GVW and nothing else.
So, when your removals company offers a ride for you in the van. Think about it. Are they risking a fine? Are they risking your well-being?
The payload of a van includes all contributing factors, including the weight of the van, a full tank of fuel, the driver, passengers, equipment, supplies, and racking.
You can calculate your payload capacity by subtracting the kerb weight from the gross vehicle weight. Suppose we have a van with a GVW of 3000kg. With a kerb weight of 2400kg, you can safely carry a payload of 600kg.
Remember that it’s not just the weight you are loading; the placement is also a huge factor.
Imagine that you have calculated everything right, and you should not exceed the laden weight on paper. However, if you load all of the items incorrectly, there is a huge chance of overloading a single axle.
Both axles of your van should carry almost even amounts. Placing the load on a single axle can result in tyre popping, which is extremely dangerous. Also, you may damage the underskirt of the van while crossing a speed bump. This may result in an oil leak, affecting other drivers on the road, not just you.
Because of those facts, axle loading is also considered by authorities. Make sure that you distribute the load evenly between both axles. The front of the van already carries the weight of you, the cabin, and the engine. Right behind the cabin is the perfect place for heavier boxes, and lighter boxes should be placed closer to the van’s tail.
If the technical difficulties, dangers, and potential damage to the vehicle weren’t enough of a reason to be careful and thorough, remember that you might also find yourself in hot water with the law. The risks and penalties of overloading a van:
Here are a couple of actions that officers can take against your felony:
You will just have to keep track of everything and calculate the weight while loading. Here are some tips that can help you determine your GVW before setting off on the road.
The vehicle’s actual weight should be enlisted on a metal plate, probably on the inner side of the driver’s door. You can also check that information via the VIN number of the vehicle. If the driver’s manual is in the cabin, give it a quick check, it contains every bit of information you might need about the van. You should also find the fuel tank’s capacity in one of these places. You will need to calculate the weight of your fuel.
The weight of your passengers, or should I say, passengers, can easily be estimated, or simply ask for it.
Now, for the most tricky part – looking over the weight of your cargo. This can be mastered in time; the eyes of professional movers are like digital scales. They can give pretty accurate estimations simply by looking at items. However, if you plan to make your move alone, you will have to either take your chances or scale every single item before loading it on the van.
Lucky for you, there is one more option. Look around for local weighbridges. If you haven’t been on one, the process is straightforward. You drive on top of a small bridge, which is actually a scale, that will give you the exact weight – G.V.W, to be precise. This way, you won’t have to worry about overloading the van.
Book a professional man and van service today!
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We hope you found this information useful. Feel free to share with us your personal experiences dealing with the law around GVW.
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