Vans offer a whole lot of versatility, but there are some key things to remember before you start throwing everything you have in the back of one. Much of how much you can put inside a van is dictated to by its payload, and if you’re new to the world of vans, then we’re going to be going through everything you need to know in this blog.
Here at David Hayton, we’ve got a broad selection of used vans to browse through, with models of all shapes and sizes available to suit any requirement. But if you’d like to know more about loading a van and staying on the right side of the law, then follow through this article to find out everything you need.
What is a Van’s Payload and Why Do I Need to Know About It?
A van’s payload is a core way of finding out how much it can transport. Essentially, a van’s payload refers to its maximum total weight, including the vehicle itself, fuel, passengers and driver, and any goods that are stowed in the back.
It’s a key rating and one that is essential for working out what type of van you need. It’s worth giving this a lot of thought before you buy; if you end up purchasing a van which is too large then you might find yourself with lots of space left in a vehicle that is a little trickier to drive, particularly in narrow streets and country lanes.
On the other hand, if you end up with a van which is too small, you’ll often have to leave something behind or make more frequent trips to pick up and drop off everything you need.
How Do I Know What the Payload of a Van Is?
In the UK, a van’s payload is determined by its ‘gross vehicle weight’, or GVW. Essentially, this is the maximum that a van is permitted to weigh when fully loaded, including fuel and passengers on board.
To work out what you’d be allowed to carry, simply subtract the GVW from the van’s standard weight - or kerb weight, which is what it would be unloaded. Once you’ve taken one away from the other, you’ll be left with the amount of weight that you’d be permitted to carry. In doing so, it’s easier to work out just what you’ll be able to bring a long and it’s worth thinking long and hard about how much you’ll be looking to take along with you to make sure you get the right van. Handily, you’ll find an example payload on the listing of each used van on our website, making it clear to work out. However, if you’ve got further questions, then feel free to get in touch with one of the team members.
Should I Estimate How Much I Carry?
Absolutely! If you can think about the weight of your goods, tools, and passengers—or anything else in between - ’ll give you a clearer picture of what type of van you need and what payload it needs to offer. A good way of working out is to estimate the weight of all of those items and people that you’d need to carry in a van and subtract it from that previous figure - the one you got by subtracting the GVW from the kerb weight - and you’ll get the total loaded-up weight. If it’s beyond the van’s permitted payload, then you’ll need to think about buying a bigger model.
However, if it is some way under, then a smaller and more easy-to-drive van could be a much better option. There’s a good chance that it’ll be cheaper to run, too.
What Can Affect a Van’s Payload?
There are several factors which influence how much a van is permitted to carry. Engine sizes and types can influence this and, in most cases, a bigger van will have a higher payload than your typical compact model. For instance, a Transit van payload might be bigger than that of a compact Vauxhall Combo Cargo.
Extra accessories such as racking or storage systems can reduce a van’s payload because they eat into the vehicle’s total weight, and if it’s permitted to tow then this can bring down a van’s payload as well. It’s worth investigating all of these avenues before you buy to make sure you get a van that is right for you.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Improve a Van’s Payload?
If you find that the van you’ve bought doesn’t quite meet your requirements, then there are some ways to improve its payload - though they won’t make drastic changes. For one, you could remove any fitted accessories that you aren’t using, or you might want to swap them out for versions made from lighter materials.
Though it won’t change a van’s payload, we’d always advise spreading the items you’re travelling without evenly across the vehicle’s loading area to make sure that its handling and braking performance remains unaffected.
If you’re thinking of buying a van then remember that we’ve got many great examples—in all sizes and shapes—available via our website. Plus, if you have any questions regarding a particular van’s payload, then get in touch with one of the David Hayton team members today to find out more.