Ducato maxi or light chassis

[Mountainbiker]

Is it more than a 'paper exercise' to downplate a chassis from 4000kg to 3500. Getting a Malibu van and I've read that the maxi chassis is nicer to drive. I have applied to get my C1 back but if I don't for some reason then I'll need to down plate it.

 

[Gaston aires]

Maxi chassis is great. Go all out to retain/ reinstate your C1. You know it makes sense. All the best motorhomes are over 3.5 tons.
Phil

 

[Phill D]

The down plating is relatively straightforward, however, the maxi chassis will weigh more than the light so your actual payload may be negligible at 3500kgs.
But it's worth checking this out.

 

[Mountainbiker]

Yep - the maxi chassis weighs 40kg more than 3500 one so that is a consideration.

 

[Jamesh]

Perhaps it's the 16" wheels Vs 15"?

Are they 225 / 75 /16

I want to try these in my transit pvc.

Cheers James

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[Podney]

If you’ve got 16inch wheels does it mean it’s a maxi chassis?

What are the other ways of finding this out/where to look please??

 

[Mountainbiker]

No both the 3500 and maxi have 16"wheels but I think the maxi wheels are rated higher weight wise

 

[ED O'DARAC]

I have down plated a couple of vans from 3650kg It is simply paperwork as a change to your V5 weight category with DVLA to downplate, but you need to have weighed it on a public weighbridge.
If you empty it (completely, including water, gas bottles, with as little diesel in as possible), weigh it and get the weight ticket at a public weighbridge.
Hopefully this will be well under 3500kg.
If not, it is no go!
Mine came out at 3100kg leaving 400kg payload at 3.5 tonnes.
You will need to pay more road fund licence to DVLA when you replace it as PHGV (crazy but true!) Costs less than PLG.

I hope that helps. Just to be totally safe with your insurance, load as normal and get it re-weighed for your own peace of mind.
Make sure you will be under 3500kg. The chassis is OK at more, but you would be uninsured.
Sorry for such a long rambling answer! It is simple and cheap. Richard

 

[Mountainbiker]

No - It should say Maxi on the rear door if it's a maxi. Blurred because some 3500 kg chassis have maxi wheels now. I think maxi chassis has bigger/better brakes too.

 

[royandsharont]

Ours was a c class and the Maxi logo was on the wing. We also had big leaf springs on the rear axle which I think only came with the maxi chassis. The new 2021 anniversary Ducato I think may well have leaf springs now across the range for a more comfortable drive I understand

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