View Single Post
  #4  Post / In Thread 
Old 7th March 2012, 08:18 AM
Julia's Avatar
Julia Julia is offline
Engineer
 
Full Name: Julia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW England
Posts: 1,198
Default

It is not an easy ask

If I recall correctly the weight of your engine is more than the 6" I am building plus you need to accommodate passengers and several carts. That will add up to more than you think. Your are inevitably pushing into the 3.5Ton plus bracket. Look at the empty weight of any vehicle you are considering. This will probably be more that half the plated weight. People are relatively light and you will find that they are built on a heavy 3.5T chassis so not much chance of getting your payload there.

I had a similar load requirement but only had a limited passenger requirement. Just before they went under I found a LDT Maxius with payload of 1.4 tones. 1.4tones as among the best I could find! After delivery I put it on the weigh bridge to minus off the weight of wood lining and tow bar - down to 1.3 ton. Allowing for the weight of necessary extras (Me passengers,tools & coal) I am left with less than a ton for the engine. At the time I looked at the market and observed that as the van gets bigger so does its empty weight. For many makes, as the van get bigger, the empty weight goes up a but the payload goes downs!
In a nutshell the white van is aimed at carrying volume not weight.

It is becoming a more frequent sight at rallies to see a 2 ton miniature unloading from a large white panel van. So plus 3.5 ton vans must exist but are unlikely to be ex minibus. One owner explained to me that they changed the springs so that it was OK but I believe there are genuine manufactured +3.5T panel vans but have I never seen them advertised.

I have recently been looking at horse transporters. Horses are heavy so many ex horse boxes are up to our sort of task. If you have the dosh some have luxury living accommodation.
__________________
Julia

Reply With Quote