"downplating" query

[tomlowry07]

Does this mean that if i have a 4.5 tonne van, I will have the option in the future to get it down to 3.5t, which may facilitate an easier sale when the millenials start purchasing? Ta Tom

 

[vwalan]

yes, but it might not be ideal if the unladen weight of the vehicle is almost 3.500kg.
payload might be very low after the down plate.
voluntary downplating is easy usually.

 

[tonka]

As Alan said.. You first need to find the empty weight as the vehicle is now..
You may find it already at or close to 3500kg and so can fint anything inside !!!
So all a bit pointless..
My Autotrail was 4250kg max weight but 3500kg MIR (Mass in running order).
My current van is 4500kg and over 3500 empty.

 

[tomlowry07]

Ta,

looks like the 3.5t and 4.5t versions of the van are same weight.

 

[peterc10]

Doubt that you could get a 4.5t van down to 3.5t without stripping some of the bodywork off of it! And if you did the payload would be miniscule.

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[peterc10]

Ta,

looks like the 3.5t and 4.5t versions of the van are same weight.

Are you sure? The 3.5t is usually on a standard chassis, whereas the 4.5t is usually on a maxi chassis

 

[tomlowry07]

Hmmm, not so sure now. 3.5t is on 318 chasis and 4.5t is on 418 chasis.

T

 

[Lenny HB]

Just about possible providing you do not have any factory options and absolutely no extras fitted yourself. And it would still have a payload too small for practical use. Which would make even harder to sell than a 4500kg van.

 

[two]

Everything on a 'lightweight' van is less substantial than that on one with greater carrying capacity. Chassis will be 50+Kg more, bigger wheels, etc. You will not get a big one below 3.5t. Who would want to sacrifice payload?

 

[tacr2man]

Down plating is not a given , you will not be allowed to downplate if it makes the vehicle not usable in reality
as this would result in operator being likely to break the law by overloading .

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[tomlowry07]

Dealer is saying same weight
Mass in running order on the 3.5t is 3120, which gives the first payload below of 380. is the third of 1380 below the 4.5t Load. If its the case, then they are indeed same weight ish....

Max payload 380/760(u.r.) / 1310 / 1380

 

[Lenny HB]

Dealer is saying same weight
Mass in running order on the 3.5t is 3120, which gives the first payload below of 380. is the third of 1380 below the 4.5t Load. If its the case, then they are indeed same weight ish....

Max payload 380/760(u.r.) / 1310 / 1380

I just double checked Tom, yes they are the same, they are on the new SLC chassis if it had been the older Al-ko it would have been 50kg more.
But by the time you have added the komfort pack, spare wheel, Awning, TV etc you are going to lose 200 to 250 kg of payload. If you ran with hardly any water and only took bedding and one change of clothes no beer or food with a passenger on board you might just be legal at 3500kg.

 

[peterc10]

Edited after reading Lenny's post

 

[tomlowry07]

My point being, I cant lose a potential buyer if unit is on 4.5. Its "simply" a case of downplating. Payload will then be pretty similar on a downnplated 4.5 to a purchased 3.5
I want to be legal this time, I always try to drive with a full tank of water, and i try not to do campsites, add the scooter the cycles, The "medicine" etc, and i am probably on about 4t on current van.

 

[Lenny HB]

Payload will then be pretty similar on a downnplated 4.5 to a purchased 3.5

It will be the same but impossible to run legally at 3.5t, it is ridiculous to offer a 7½m van on a 3.5t chassis.

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[tomlowry07]

Thanks Lenny, Looks like i am paying around 1500 euros to be Legal then. Going soft in my old age.

 

[Lenny HB]

You are paying for the chassis upgrade from a 316 to a 418 so I assume it has suspension and tyre upgrades.

Have you got the UK price list so you can understand all the options? If not I can email you one.

 

[tomlowry07]

I already ordered the 418, 4.5t, i was gonna change to 3.5t because of possible resale issue. But as you say it looks like its stronger wheels and Springs only. No weight disadvantage. I automatically thought the 4.5t came with the stronger alloys, thus the extra cost. I thought they were required. Then i was offered the alloys and distronic at 500euros. They are listed at 1800€. Fishy.....