Van Weight Limits and Laws

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.

Why are van weight limits mandatory?

• For your own safety. – The safety of other people on the road, as well, plus that of your passengers.
• To keep your van in one piece. – Overloading a van can lead to damaged axles. Blown tyres. Curved wheels, broken shock absorbers, ceilings and all bunch of expensive parts. ( you will have to pay for it if the van is rented!)
• To provide you with consistent performance – If you neglect the loading weight limits, it will completely ruin the van’s performance. One of the things you will notice first is the fuel consumption being way above the enlisted figures from the manufacturer. You will also have a bad ride thanks to the stretched springs and shock absorbers. The van won’t be able to reach the speeds it is supposed to, including the maximum speed, it says it can. Worst of all, your stopping distance is increased with every kilogram above the weight restriction. This means that you may not be able to stop on time in case of an emergency.
• To keep the roads in good condition. – Overweight vehicles can cause potholes and swerves on the asphalt.

Weight restrictions for moving vans

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.

Transit Van GVW – Anywhere from around 2.6T to 3.5T

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.

What is GVW?

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?

What is the payload of a van?

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.

Axle weight and axle weight restrictions

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.

What happens if your vehicle is overweight?

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:

How to avoid a van overloading fine

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.

Takeaways

• Don’t risk your health and the life of others by overloading your vehicle.
• Rent a van only if you have the right license and check which is the right model for the job, depending on your move.
• Considering all the dangers and potential problems, hiring a moving team can often prove much cheaper than hiring a van and doing the job yourself.

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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.