Technical Max weight and suspension types/upgrades

[Roadtonowhere]

Hi all,

Im looking to get some clarity on suspension types and the corresponding max weight for these vans.
I've got a 2009 3.0 liter, L2H2 van with a max weight of only 3000kg. On the typeplate it says front axle is rated at 1630kg, rear at 1650. Now, I have been looking at upgrading the suspension, and if needed the tyres and/or rims to possibly get up to 3500kg.

I suspected to have the single leaf spring in the rear as I have a 'light' van. But after inspection I sem to have the more heavy duty double leaf spring. On youtube there a plenty videos op people 'upgrading' theri single leaf suspention to a double one. The van also sits pretty high with plenty of room te spare under the bump stops and above the wheels.
On the front I cant make out what kind of suspention is installed. Is there a way to identify what suspention is curently on the van (front and rear) and for what axle loads it is rated?

Thanks!

 

[bugsymike]

Hi all,

Im looking to get some clarity on suspension types and the corresponding max weight for these vans.
I've got a 2009 3.0 liter, L2H2 van with a max weight of only 3000kg. On the typeplate it says front axle is rated at 1630kg, rear at 1650. Now, I have been looking at upgrading the suspension, and if needed the tyres and/or rims to possibly get up to 3500kg.

I suspected to have the single leaf spring in the rear as I have a 'light' van. But after inspection I sem to have the more heavy duty double leaf spring. On youtube there a plenty videos op people 'upgrading' theri single leaf suspention to a double one. The van also sits pretty high with plenty of room te spare under the bump stops and above the wheels.
On the front I cant make out what kind of suspention is installed. Is there a way to identify what suspention is curently on the van (front and rear) and for what axle loads it is rated?

Thanks!

The detail is usually on the chassis/Vin plate under the bonnet in most cases as you have found, so depending on the laws where you are, you may be required to upgrade brakes, wheels, tyres, etc. as well as the obvious springs, bump stops and notify insurance company etc.
So may not be straight forward.
What is the reason for the conversion?

 

[Roadtonowhere]

The detail is usually on the chassis/Vin plate under the bonnet in most cases as you have found, so depending on the laws where you are, you may be required to upgrade brakes, wheels, tyres, etc. as well as the obvious springs, bump stops and notify insurance company etc.
So may not be straight forward.
What is the reason for the conversion?

3000kg is quite low and it leaves not a lot of wiggle room for extra luggage. Its a self-coverted campervan now and with a fullt ank and 1 person it weights 2870kg. So guaranteed to go over with water/food/luggage on board.
On the plate is no info on the chassis type unfortunately. Maybe its the brakes but everything that I can see points to a much heavier chassis than 3000kg max...

 

[bugsymike]

3000kg is quite low and it leaves not a lot of wiggle room for extra luggage. Its a self-coverted campervan now and with a fullt ank and 1 person it weights 2870kg. So guaranteed to go over with water/food/luggage on board.
On the plate is no info on the chassis type unfortunately. Maybe its the brakes but everything that I can see points to a much heavier chassis than 3000kg max...

I agree not a lot of margin in weight capacity.
I have seen this on many camper vans and unlike normal work vans which generally carry a load and then are emptied , a camper van carries that load almost continuously, which does put more strain on the suspension.
The other problem with camper vans is a lot more of the weight is higher up, beds, awnings, roof rack with boxes etc. All these put more leverage when cornering adding to the strain on antiroll bars, springs and shock absorbers, unlike many work vans where the weight is lower down and more dense.
If you are unlikely to go much above the recommended limit, then I would just fit stronger rear springs.,
However the best but not cheapest alternative is a larger load capacity van which is made from the factory with suitable suspension,wheels , brakes etc.

 

[AsdaPricey]

Hi all,

Im looking to get some clarity on suspension types and the corresponding max weight for these vans.
I've got a 2009 3.0 liter, L2H2 van with a max weight of only 3000kg. On the typeplate it says front axle is rated at 1630kg, rear at 1650. Now, I have been looking at upgrading the suspension, and if needed the tyres and/or rims to possibly get up to 3500kg.

I suspected to have the single leaf spring in the rear as I have a 'light' van. But after inspection I sem to have the more heavy duty double leaf spring. On youtube there a plenty videos op people 'upgrading' theri single leaf suspention to a double one. The van also sits pretty high with plenty of room te spare under the bump stops and above the wheels.
On the front I cant make out what kind of suspention is installed. Is there a way to identify what suspention is curently on the van (front and rear) and for what axle loads it is rated?

Thanks!

Hello

My own camper is 2008MY but the longer L3H2 and has a GVW of 3500, Front axle 1850kg, Rear axle 2000kg, GTW of 6000.
For note it has single leaf springs at the rear. If we run with full fuel and fresh water tanks we’re almost at limit so we lessen the fresh water load to just enough to get by and fill up at camp.
As a former Weighbridge man I’m a stickler for being under weight.
I’ve set myself the task of ridding the vehicle of more weight this year by removing the wife unused towbar that is fitted - there is 25kg!
(If anyone wants a towbar and you let me have the crash-bar I would need, I’d be happy to swap, no money involved - message me)

One way you could check components is to compare part numbers fitted to a 3500kg version against what is specified for yours, eg check brake & suspension part numbers & measurements to see what, if any, are the same.
The LesJofors online catalog is useful for suspension comparisons:

Lesjöfors Automotive - Catalogues - Online Catalogue

In my mind your biggest task will be to get the vehicle ‘Up-plated’, as without this even if you change components to create a “3500 GVW” set up, it’s still only showing as a 3000kg GVW vehicle on the chassis plate.
I have read about this company in the past:

About SvTech

Special Vehicle Technology SvTech Ltd was formed in 1993 specifically to offer technical support to truck and van manufacturers and converters in the UK and Europe. We specialise in matters relating to Vehicle Type Approval, with particular emphasis on payloads and braking systems. Over thirty...

www.svtech.co.uk

It may be worth speaking to them as they may already hold the technical knowledge for you vehicle to save you from entering a never ending rabbit hole.

You mention wheels and tyres - what size rims have you got 15” or 16” and what load rating on the tyres?

 

[Roadtonowhere]

Hello

My own camper is 2008MY but the longer L3H2 and has a GVW of 3500, Front axle 1850kg, Rear axle 2000kg, GTW of 6000.
For note it has single leaf springs at the rear. If we run with full fuel and fresh water tanks we’re almost at limit so we lessen the fresh water load to just enough to get by and fill up at camp.
As a former Weighbridge man I’m a stickler for being under weight.
I’ve set myself the task of ridding the vehicle of more weight this year by removing the wife unused towbar that is fitted - there is 25kg!
(If anyone wants a towbar and you let me have the crash-bar I would need, I’d be happy to swap, no money involved - message me)

One way you could check components is to compare part numbers fitted to a 3500kg version against what is specified for yours, eg check brake & suspension part numbers & measurements to see what, if any, are the same.
The LesJofors online catalog is useful for suspension comparisons:

Lesjöfors Automotive - Catalogues - Online Catalogue

In my mind your biggest task will be to get the vehicle ‘Up-plated’, as without this even if you change components to create a “3500 GVW” set up, it’s still only showing as a 3000kg GVW vehicle on the chassis plate.
I have read about this company in the past:

About SvTech

Special Vehicle Technology SvTech Ltd was formed in 1993 specifically to offer technical support to truck and van manufacturers and converters in the UK and Europe. We specialise in matters relating to Vehicle Type Approval, with particular emphasis on payloads and braking systems. Over thirty...

www.svtech.co.uk

It may be worth speaking to them as they may already hold the technical knowledge for you vehicle to save you from entering a never ending rabbit hole.

You mention wheels and tyres - what size rims have you got 15” or 16” and what load rating on the tyres?

Thanks for this info!
Im already looking to 'up-plate' it, that will indeed be the biggest hassle. I was just wondering why my van is rated for such a low weight and what components dictate that. Your parts numbers trick will surely help, thanks.
As I said, i have double leaf springs, fully closed chassis beams and 15 inch tyres, rated for 1050kg each. So I have the feeling my van should easily be able to handle 3500kg. Maybe the brakes/axles are lighter spec?

For now im stuck at not having a type-approval number, which is necessary for up-plating, so there's that. It's a bloody mystery...

 

[AsdaPricey]

Hello

Further to my last there’s a post on here albeit somewhat historical, within which is a forum user that managed to update as a paper exercise only via the firm I mentioned.

X250 Front Axle Weight | FIAT Ducato

I have a 'pannel van' camper built in a LWB 2008 3L X250 Ducato - because at the time Fiat were 'unable' to supply a 2.6L version that was normally used. So we had to pay the extra cost. We have a couple of DOT weighbridges close by on which I find the front axle is always within a few kg of...

www.fiatforum.com

See post no 6 in the above.

It’s got to be worth an email before anything else….