Looking for a base. Which model?

[VinylArchie]

Sorry I’m sure this has been asked before but I can’t find it. Decided to self build and I’m looking for a T6 Highline 150. But exactly what is the difference between T28 and T30. Did hear that 32’s are best avoided due to some issue with trading wheels. Really struggling to find a van that fits the bill if anyone sees one in indium grey, preferably with a tailgate. Give me a shout, I’m budgeting about 22k, hopefully I can get a really nice one for that.

 

[Noddy996]

Hi @VinylArchie

The difference between a T28 and a T30 refers to their gross vehicle weight. The T28 is 2.8 tonnes gross vehicle weight, and the T30 is 3 tonnes. So the T30 can manage 200kg more weight, which may be significant if you are planning a full campervan conversion.

The T32 is a gross vehicle weight of 3.2 tonnes, and needs higher load rated wheels and tyres, for which there is a bit less choice available. Don’t let that put you off though.

If you use the search facility there is a lot of info on everything, including the subject of weight!

Best to think about how you will be using your van - how many people, weight of the conversion, pop top, etc; what else would you be carrying?...That should help you choose between T28, T30 and T32.

The factory VW California uses the T30.

We have a T28 campervan conversion, as do a lot of the members on here, but T30 is probably the preferred choice for a conversion.

Good luck with your search!

Andy

 

[VinylArchie]

Thought the T30 would be the best choice. Will have the mrs and two kids. A pop top and possibly towing too. I’m sure the 28 would be up to it though?

 

[VinylArchie]

Tried to search for T28 and T32 but says search query too short

 

[andys]

Mine's also a T28 full camper and has plenty of load capacity available, though it's never more than two up. Having said that, it often is so full of stuff there wouldn't be room for any more people anyway. Given the choice though, I would go for a T30 but not exclude either of the other two if the right spec/price comes along.

 

[Pete C]

A T30 lets you bring back more wine from abroad

Pete

 

[Sooty6.1]

Hi, I’ve a silimar quandary between a T30 or T28. I was disregarding any T28s in favour of a T30 but there seem to be so many T28 around and I will for the most part be a solo traveller so am beginning to think that a T6 T28 140/150 bhp should be ok for me. I’m planning a full conversion, with pop top roof bed, and all the cooking, sink, etc. I think I read somewhere that this would take the weight to approx. 2000kg, does this sound about right?
I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Cheers.
Sue

 

[Stay Frosty]

Never mind 200 kgs of extra junk carrying capacity and HGV truck suspension just get LED headlights... it's that time of year again!

 

[CAB]

Hi, I’ve a silimar quandary between a T30 or T28. I was disregarding any T28s in favour of a T30 but there seem to be so many T28 around and I will for the most part be a solo traveller so am beginning to think that a T6 T28 140/150 bhp should be ok for me. I’m planning a full conversion, with pop top roof bed, and all the cooking, sink, etc. I think I read somewhere that this would take the weight to approx. 2000kg, does this sound about right?
I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Cheers.
Sue

Most convertors seem to use T28s. Especially as a solo traveller you should be fine.

 

[Sooty6.1]

Never mind 200 kgs of extra junk carrying capacity and HGV truck suspension just get LED headlights... it's that time of year again!

That’d definitely be my preference. If not, definitely an upgrade from the H4s.

 

[Sooty6.1]

Most convertors seem to use T28s. Especially as a solo traveller you should be fine.

Thanks, I thought so I just needed other opinions because it’s such a big commitment and before my search I’d no idea how complicated just choosing a base van is, even before looking at the conversion. Anyway, thanks for the input a T28 should certainly make my search easier

 

[Ads_Essex]

Never mind 200 kgs of extra junk carrying capacity and HGV truck suspension just get LED headlights... it's that time of year again!

He’s right. Get the spec you want, and then just get it up or downplated by SV Tech. Not only will a van other than a T32 have similar components that physically and legally allow it to carry more, but most of us end up upgrading these components which would then potentially allow heavier load carrying regardless.
My van is a T28. Fully converted it weighs 2400kg. I doubt I’ll need it, but to carry 200kg more I could have it upplated to a T30 without needing to change any components.

 

[Sooty6.1]

He’s right. Get the spec you want, and then just get it up or downplated by SV Tech. Not only will a van other than a T32 have similar components that physically and legally allow it to carry more, but most of us end up upgrading these components which would then potentially allow heavier load carrying regardless.
My van is a T28. Fully converted it weighs 2400kg. I doubt I’ll need it, but to carry 200kg more I could have it upplated to a T30 without needing to change any components.

Thanks for that. That’s good to know, though if you haven’t needed more weight allowance, I doubt I will on my own. If say I did, would it be cheaper to upgrade a T28 than buy a T30 to begin with?

 

[MikeB]

I would suggest that most converters use the T28 as a base because they are just looking for the cheapest way to make a van into a camper. I took our T32 over a weighbridge a while back and reported what it had to say for itself - the thread'll be somewhere. Suffice to say I'm delighted we took our converters sage advice and opted for a T32 as the base.

 

[MikeB]

Just to save anyone searching - here'e the weight thread I noted - Weight - -