Maximum load in a 7 ton Luton van

[mudskipper]

I'm hiring a large Luton van to move some tiles and books into self storage this weekend.

When I asked the maximum load, the guy at the van hire firm said one ton. But I wondered if he was underestimating this weight, i.e. being over-conservative, with the understandable aim of minimising wear and tear on his van.

Given that this van weighs 7 tons, and will have two passengers in the front, is this a reasonable maximum weight? Or could I pack in a ton and a half or two tons with no risk of damaging the suspension or anything?

Or does it vary widely depending on the make of Luton van, and perhaps this guy's vans are indeed unsuitable for loads of more than a ton.

Time to move the bullion?

[Sockpuppet]

If it's rated over 3.5t it'll have DOT plate which are usually some shade of faded orange. It'll also have a tachograph but as long as you're not using for business use then you don't need to use it.




It's its a 3.5t rated vehicle it'll have one of these.

[Sysman]

Or does it vary widely depending on the make of Luton van, and perhaps this guy's vans are indeed unsuitable for loads of more than a ton.

There will be a stamped plate somewhere easily accessible which has the details of unladen and maximum laden weights, and this is what the police use if they suspect you are overloaded and drag you off to a weighbridge. I'm pretty sure it's done individually for each van or truck so that the unladen weight reflects stuff like the engine, towbars or any other equipment fitted.

On the 1970s Ford Transits I drove this plate was located on the step up to the passenger side of the cabin so that it could be read by opening the door.

The front and rear axles have separate limits. If you are close to the maximum payload you want to try and spread the load between the axles so that neither axle is over its limit.

Yes, the weight of driver and passengers is taken into account. When I got dragged off to a weighbridge the cops pointed out that a passenger may have pushed me over the limit.

[doodab]

Looking around it says the payload is around 1600 Kg. Seems to vary between 1000kg and 1600 from what I saw on the sites.

Luton Van Size, Luton Vans Hire | Handy Removals



Van and Truck Dimensions & Carrying Capacity

A luton transit is 3.5T. A 7.5T truck should be good for about 2-3T. The chances are if you've hired a "Luton" it's a 3.5T transit / mercedes sprinter or similar, not a 7.5T truck.

[northernladuk]

Looking around it says the payload is around 1600 Kg. Seems to vary between 1000kg and 1600 from what I saw on the sites.

http://www.handy-removals.co.uk/luton-van-size/

Size & Load
Load Length = 3900mm
Load Width = 2050mm
Load Height = 2110mm
Payload = 1600-1800kg
Loading Capacity = 600 Cubic Feet

http://www.longmarshltd.co.uk/news.asp?news=117

FORD TRANSIT LUTON BOX VAN

EXTERNAL HEIGHT
10’ 10”
3.30 METRES

EXTERNAL LENGTH
22’ 0”
6.70 METRES

INTERNAL HEIGHT
7’ 2”
2.18 METRES

INTERNAL WIDTH
6’ 5”
1.95 METRES

INTERNAL LENGTH
12’ 11”
3.93 METRES

PAYLOAD
1050 KG

[SimonMac]

I think you might be getting confused, the truck will not weigh 7 tons, that is just the maximum gross laden weight you could (probably) be allowed to drive with on your licence (depending on type), including vehicle, cargo, passengers trailer etc.

You will need to ask for the unladen weight and subtract this from the maximum gross laden weight to work out how much you can carry

[OwlHoot]

I'm hiring a large Luton van to move some tiles and books into self storage this weekend.

When I asked the maximum load, the guy at the van hire firm said one ton. But I wondered if he was underestimating this weight, i.e. being over-conservative, with the understandable aim of minimising wear and tear on his van.

Given that this van weighs 7 tons, and will have two passengers in the front, is this a reasonable maximum weight? Or could I pack in a ton and a half or two tons with no risk of damaging the suspension or anything?

Or does it vary widely depending on the make of Luton van, and perhaps this guy's vans are indeed unsuitable for loads of more than a ton.