Just curious

[yorkslass]

I have always been under the impression that most commercial vehicles have a max weight of 3500 k, but for some reason I can't fathom, mine, according to the log book, is 3,400.

To illustrate what I'm talking about, and as an exercise, I looked at the max weight of two Elddis, both on a Peugeot base with same engine. One has max weight of 3500,
the other is 3,300.

Why would a manufacturer reduce the max weight? I'm mystified.

 

[2cv]

Mine started life at 3000 kg, later uprated to 3250 kg, I suppose most are 3500kg and never really thought about it before.

 

[mark61]

Light commercials of the same range have always been available at different GVW, typically 2600Kg, 2800Kg, 3000Kg, 3300kg & 3500Kg. Used to be able to tell the difference certainly between say a 2800Kg and a 3500Kg by tyres but now they all seem the same. Lower weights will probably have a higher ratio diff too.

 

[wildebus]

My Renault Master was a MM33 - so 3,300Kg.
Doesn't make a lot of sense to me either unless there can be a significant saving in build costs.

I know in the VW T5 range, the T32 (3,200kg) has a different rear suspension to the T30 (3,000kg) and lower vehicles.
Below 3,000Kg calls for less stringency when it comes to MOT Regs, so THAT part does make sense on the makers side.

 

[mark61]

Don’t know where the savings are made, but there is certainly a big difference in price. On Sprinters, from 3000GVW to 3500GVW there is around a £4000 price difference, go up to 4600GVW, add another £5000. Thats why MH’s are built on lower weight models then uprated, when they could have been built on the more suitable vehicle in the first place.

 

[wildebus]

Don’t know where the savings are made, but there is certainly a big difference in price. On Sprinters, from 3000GVW to 3500GVW there is around a £4000 price difference, go up to 4600GVW, add another £5000. Thats why MH’s are built on lower weight models then uprated, when they could have been built on the more suitable vehicle in the first place.

dont know about £5000 worth of difference, but moving from 3500 to 4600 is a fair old difference in the running gear. My 4600 LT (aka Sprinter Mk1) has Dual Wheels, different floor pan and arches to suit, gearing and tacho (I am guessing the 4600 price will include a tacho in the commercial as they are a legal requirement)

 

[mark61]

dont know about £5000 worth of difference, but moving from 3500 to 4600 is a fair old difference in the running gear. My 4600 LT (aka Sprinter Mk1) has Dual Wheels, different floor pan and arches to suit, gearing and tacho (I am guessing the 4600 price will include a tacho in the commercial as they are a legal requirement)

Yes, the 4600GVW + vehicles are almost a different vehicle, heavier chassis and as you say dual wheels etc.