3.5T Chassis?

[ValkyrIe]

I’m sure this has been asked before but I can‘t find the answer. I’m looking at buying a PVC and I can’t understand the difference between a 3500kg “light” chassis and a 3500kg “maxi” chassis. If the load capacity is the same why would I pay extra for a maxi?

 

[tofo]

I’m sure this has been asked before but I can‘t find the answer. I’m looking at buying a PVC and I can’t understand the difference between a 3500kg “light” chassis and a 3500kg “maxi” chassis. If the load capacity is the same why would I pay extra for a maxi?

Any use

Which 3.5t chassis cab offers the best payload?

With the authorities cracking down on overloading, making sure that you’re loading legally has never been so important (see the Guide to Legal...

www.parkers.co.uk

 

[SandraL]

Fiat Maxi chassis is built stronger and will slightly weigh more so less payload at 3500 kg. It will or may have larger brakes or wheels.
But it can be replated at a higher weight, say 4500 kg. Light chassis can be replated at 3850kg.
Please fact check if relying on this info!

 

[nicholsong]

Fiat Maxi chassis is built stronger and will slightly weigh more so less payload at 3500 kg. It will or may have larger brakes or wheels.
But it can be replated at a higher weight, say 4500 kg. Light chassis can be replated at 3850kg.
Please fact check if relying on this info!

Correct

I think the Parkers' analysis is aimed at commercial operators of these vehicles who have, or may have in future, some drivers who do not have C1 on their licences, so the operators want to keep below 3500kgs.

For a personal vehicle like a MH this is not a restriction if one has C1 on licence.

Geoff

 

[ValkyrIe]

Im old enough to have a C1 license, so having the option to uprate seems worthwhile. Is it harder to sell a Motorhome that’s over 3500 kg?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[obanvanman]

It can always be taken back to 3500kg.

 

[Blue Knight]

The Maxi chassis is 40kg heavier than its lighter sibling but for a 6.34m long, fully kitted PVC, used for off grid style motorhoming then I would only ever opt for the maxi.

Standard axle tolerances:

Light: Front axle of 1,850kg; rear at 2,000kg.

Maxi: Front axle of 2,100kg; rear at 2,400kg.

My Fiat Maxi PVC came registered at 3,5T but I re-registerd it @ 4,5T as, fully loaded, it weighs 3,850kg, without tow bar, bikes etc.

The Maxi chassis has better breaks too so a win-win for me.

Resale is very good as long as you buy a marque and style which people favour.

Maxi every time for me.

Good luck,

Andrew

 

[Bailey Boy]

Added bonus of cheaper road tax if you go over 3500kg

Saves around £100 a year

 

[nicholsong]

Andrew(Blue Knight)

I presume it is not only the maxi chassis itself which gives the extra weights, but also beefed up suspension and tyre-loading, as well as the brakes.

Geoff

 

[Lenny HB]

Also the maxi chassis has 16" wheels as standard which gives more ground clearance. As said beefed up brakes, they are lot better.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MisterB]

It can always be taken back to 3500kg.

That's interesting. I would imagine it's just a paper exercise and no need to change anything other than the payload allowance stated on the docs? But that's just my uneducated guess lol !! Woukd be nice to know though if anyone does know the answer?

 

[Lenny HB]

That's interesting. I would imagine it's just a paper exercise and no need to change anything other than the payload allowance stated on the docs? But that's just my uneducated guess lol !! Woukd be nice to know though if anyone does know the answer?

Need a weighbridge ticket.

 

[MisterB]

Need a weighbridge ticket.

is that all? so long as the vehicle itself is under 3500kg then whoever driving it is driving a vehicle under 3500 kgs but wouldnt the v5 have to reflect that?

 

[Lenny HB]

is that all? so long as the vehicle itself is under 3500kg then whoever driving it is driving a vehicle under 3500 kgs but wouldnt the v5 have to reflect that?

Yes what I meant was you need a weighbridge ticket for DVLA to register it and of course a new plate but you can do it yourself where as uprating needs an engineers report.