Which Base Van For Camper Conversion?

[Ed Webb]

Axle weight is often overlooked. I used to work at a cider factory that had its weigh bridge open to the public. They had a few contracts with some companies to weight their vehicles. You'd be surprised at how many vans are back end heavy (over weight for rear axle but still within their gross weight limit. Adding a badly loaded trailer is another issue people can overlook. I never weighted a camper but can see how easy it may be to over load the rear. Bung it all on the bed out the way.

 

[Simon Kay]

All great input, thanks everyone! I've now found the option 2MQ, which is for strengthened rear springs and dampers for a third of the cost of the full fat upgrade to a T3o. So that would leave it classified as a T28 for legal purposes but would have a suspension set-up to carry all that (rear) weight of a conversion and bike rack and bikes. (i won't be going as large as a 75 liter water tank). Is this a worthwhile step? I guess i could always add springs and dampers at a later date anyway if it's too back heavy..

 

[Davenjo]

The weigh bridge I used could only provide total weight. However, I have a set of "Caravan Weight Control" scales I used to check with; they are not perfect and I seem to get slightly different readings every time I use them (hence going to the weigh bridge) but total weight was close to what the weigh bridge was telling me and confirmed that my loading on each axle was within the 1600kg(front) and 1625kg(rear) allowed on a T30 - I can't remember the exact figures but I was close on the rear and well under on the front - I now try to move as much of the heavy stuff (beer, drinking water, awning, etc.) forward for traveling and put it where it lives when we arrive.

 

[Davenjo]

All great input, thanks everyone! I've now found the option 2MQ, which is for strengthened rear springs and dampers for a third of the cost of the full fat upgrade to a T3o. So that would leave it classified as a T28 for legal purposes but would have a suspension set-up to carry all that (rear) weight of a conversion and bike rack and bikes. (i won't be going as large as a 75 liter water tank). Is this a worthwhile step? I guess i could always add springs and dampers at a later date anyway if it's too back heavy..

Do you definitely need to upgrade the rear dampers?? I upgraded my rear springs but kept the dampers.

 

[Simon Kay]

Do you definitely need to upgrade the rear dampers?? I upgraded my rear springs but kept the dampers.

Fair point, could just upgrade once the factory ones wear out....hopefully in many years time

 

[Bryn23]

I had to put a K90 Braun side loading wheelchair lift in my camper van conversion, so i went for the 3200kg van.

Just the Lift weights 140kg

It doesn't take much for it to add up in a camper conversion, I've got 44 kg of sound deadening in my van so far and still need more to finish of the cab section.

Depending on the conversion, you can keep it legal, its just the payload that you have to watch.

 

[Gavandi]

Doesn't cost a lot (think mine was £7.50 - not a lot for peace of mind) and some weight-bridges wont even charge you if you don't need a ticket. I deliberately loaded mine to the max with everything I could conceivably take for a week away to give a realistic idea of how much tolerance I had. For me the biggest problem was the proportion of the weight over the back axle (RIB bed, storage spaces, 75l water tank, gas, bulk of cabinets and contents, etc., made worse with addition of bikes and trailer adding circa 100-150kg over the back)

hi....as well as moving all your accessories to the mid ship section, have you done anything to beef up the suspension on the back end?

 

[Gavandi]

@Davenjo
Sorry just seen the thread where you upgraded the springs.
Did your VW dealer do it? Or a specialist?
Rough cost?
I seem to suffer from the saggy bum issues!!

 

[Davenjo]

@Davenjo
Sorry just seen the thread where you upgraded the springs.
Did your VW dealer do it? Or a specialist?
Rough cost?
I seem to suffer from the saggy bum issues!!

@Pauly identified and sourced the springs for me (VW OEM) and I got a local garage to swap them over - it was just over £200 for the springs and£80 to get them swapped over - money well spent!

 

[Steven Bowie]

Just had my t28 camper conversion weighed in at the weigh bridge, and with half a tank of fuel and loaded ready to go camping it came in a 2260, I have had my van lowered using H&R lowering spring by 40mm, can anyone advise me if this affects the permissible payload.
Thanks

 

[Davenjo]

Just had my t28 camper conversion weighed in at the weigh bridge, and with half a tank of fuel and loaded ready to go camping it came in a 2260, I have had my van lowered using H&R lowering spring by 40mm, can anyone advise me if this affects the permissible payload. Thanks

That (2260kg) sounds very light for a full conversion plus everything needed to go camping, i.e. with the T28 Highline PV starting out at around 1950kg (inclusive of 90% fuel and 75kg driver) I'd expect the converted van to come in at around that figure before you add water, gas, cooking/eating stuff, food, beer, etc. etc..??

 

[Steven Bowie]

Yes your right Dave, missed out a stocked fridge, beer, food, 10 liter water tank was empty too, had all the other stuff tho,do you think the h&r lowering springs will have much of an impact on the payload weight?

 

[Davenjo]

Yes your right Dave, missed out a stocked fridge, beer, food, 10 liter water tank was empty too, had all the other stuff tho,do you think the h&r lowering springs will have much of an impact on the payload weight?

Payload is irrelevant as your conversion has totally changed the plated unladen weight off your vehicle (revised payload is effectively 2800kg minus your converted weight of 2260kg = 540kg or less if you want to include the 75kg driver and 90% fuel VW include with their unladen weight figures). You are working to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 2800kg - this will not change so you have around 540kg to cover everything, including you and your passengers, you want to put in the vehicle beyond what was in there when you weighed it.

Your new suspension will not change the max gross weight of 2800kg. You do of course need to make sure that the load rating of wheels/tyres/suspension is still in keeping with, as a minimum, the original weight limits for your van 1550kg (max) per axle.

 

[Steven Bowie]

Thanks Dave, there’s usually just me and the missus, so even with the items needed to go travelling with maybes an awning and a bike rack with a couple of bikes, I’d be ok weight wise

 

[Davenjo]

Thanks Dave, there’s usually just me and the missus, so even with the items needed to go travelling with maybes an awning and a bike rack with a couple of bikes, I’d be ok weight wise

You should have plenty to play with - enjoy your van!!

 

[Minkyt5]

The search continues to find a T6 for conversion.... whats your thoughts on a LWB T28 for a full conversion (poptop, rib seat etc)?

Will it be close to the weight limit?

Cheers

 

[DaveyB]

The search continues to find a T6 for conversion.... whats your thoughts on a LWB T28 for a full conversion (poptop, rib seat etc)?

Will it be close to the weight limit?

Cheers

You could be close to the limit. FWIW I think that the T30 is the best option. You don’t have the wheel and tyre option issues that you have to face with the T32, but have that little bit additional weight capacity over the T28.

 

[andys]

FWIW my SWB T28 poptop camper fully loaded with stuff (inc driveaway awning), occupants (2.3), full diesel and water tanks came in at 2620kg. There was absolutely no room to fit anything else in so I'm well under, but I don't have a bike rack or carry bikes or carry 4 people so if you did it would get pretty close I would think. Don't know how much LWB adds, but as @DaveyB said, T30 would probably be the safer option if you have the choice

 

[mmi]

Delta between SWB and LWB is about 60kg.

 

[Willoughby]

Hiya

LWB, HiLo poptop, Underslung Water and Gas and two weeks worth of supplies.

Kev