Cargo weight in van

[vagari]

I was curious how much weight you think you typically carry in your van. 600lbs? 800lbs? More?

For example:
15 gallons water = 120lbs
Two batteries = 140lbs
Refrigerator = 50lbs
Two 100w solar panels = 40lbs
5 gallon propane tank = 20lbs
Bag of dog food = 20lbs
12 pack coke = 10lbs

That's 400lbs right there without bed, table, chairs, food, clothes, hygiene, shower, grill, etc.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Very interested in this because I am at the point where I am starting to build my bed frame and counters into my van and really put some weight in it, I am unsure of exactly how much my van weighs or how much weight it will hold. But I would love to hear how much weight everyone else carries so I can sort of get an idea of what to expect!

 

[Ella1]

My driver side carries about 375 pounds between the wheels--includes me.
4 E-tanks(oxygen) behind driver and cot
stored under a cot:
A tub of art supplies,
one of meds, O2, canned food,
the pot, emergency box
8 gallons of water
deep cell battery and it's weight

Passenger side carries about 175 (no passenger.)
air cleaner,   45 pounds ( can double as a table)              
6 E tanks and carrier
tub of kitchen stuff (propane, electric burner, etc,
and jumper cables.
easel and camp chairs
So, about 650 total

The stowaway can carry 200 lbs (tents and chairs and ...)
If I carry a cooler, I don't know right now where it would go.
I hope to get an electric bike, about 50 pounds
It MAY go in the back inside, or on bumper.
I will probably be at 800 pounds with a passenger.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I don't know how much weight we carry but our 1 ton hardly feels it. For a couple, we have things pared down pretty well.
While traveling, we don't haul but a few gallons of water...load up right before extended boondocking.

I think I saved some weight (and $$) by using a standard bedframe with ply top. It's bolted to size and metal conduit cut for the height we wanted (PVC caps for feet), then bolted to the wall.
I have storage for 12 (B size) oxygen tanks also.
Our big spare tire is pretty Dern heavy too.
Soon to add 3 more panels and more battery.

Guess I need to weigh this rig again. We got rid of some stuff but have added some back.

 

[66788]

I was curious how much weight you think you typically carry in your van. 600lbs? 800lbs? More?

For example:
15 gallons water = 120lbs
Two batteries = 140lbs
Refrigerator = 50lbs
Two 100w solar panels = 40lbs
5 gallon propane tank = 20lbs
Bag of dog food = 20lbs
12 pack coke = 10lbs

That's 400lbs right there without bed, table, chairs, food, clothes, hygiene, shower, grill, etc.

I'm going to have to sit down and figure my weight out just like you did above.

I'm not too worried, as the seats in a 15 passenger van are very heavy, I'd guess 500 pounds, and then the vehicle is rated for 15 passengers on top of that.   I know that my complete build is far less than what the van was designed to carry.

Another thing is that I've not seen significant difference in the fuel mileage between empty and fully loaded, as I've recorded the mileage under all types of loads.    Trailer towing with a 6 X 12 cargo trailer knocked 2 mpg off my usual mileage.

Later tonight I'll do the math.

 

[TMG51]

I used to run a hardware store. Frequently customers would buy bulk items such as cement mix, then while loading it into their vehicle, they'd have second thoughts about weight. My favorite line of reassurance at this point was, "Hey, 6 bags at 80lbs, that's 480lbs - no different than having two fat people in the back seat."

Alright that may be one to use only in certain company but my point is that when figuring in weight I tend to believe there's some margin for error where the manufacturer accounted for passengers.

 

[accrete]

Greetings,

My wife and I have a Chevy 1500 AWD van conversion. With the interior bed/closets/insulation/high roof the weight at scales is about 6300 lbs. With 2 people, gas, food, water, and supplies for ~2 weeks the scales show about 6900lbs.

YMMV

Thom

 

[MikeRuth]

Greetings,

My wife and I have a Chevy 1500 AWD van conversion. With the interior bed/closets/insulation/high roof the weight at scales is about 6300 lbs. With 2 people, gas, food, water, and supplies for ~2 weeks the scales show about 6900lbs.

YMMV

Thom

That's roughly 1100 lbs added to the empty vehicle

 

[akrvbob]

Remember, factory curb weights don't include oil, gas or radiator fluid. I don't think they even include a spare.
Bob

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Actually, Bob, that's wrong.  You're thinking "dry weight".  Curb weight is all fluids and consumables on board, no passengers or cargo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_weight

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

Bob is totally right. in fact all the big manufacturers just got in trouble for this. they were striping their vehicles of everything they could, rear bumpers, tail gates, no AC, etc. they did this so they could inflate their tow ratings. highdesertranger

 

[akrvbob]

You're right, I meant dry weight. When I posted it I thought the word didn't sound right.

But, my point is still valid, they publish dry weight everywhere, so lots of people think that's what their vehicle weighs when they drive it off the lot. It's not, it's very low and your curb weight off the lot is much higher.
Bob

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Does anyone know of an accurate website to tell the weight of your vehicle? I cannot find my exact year for my 1992 chevy 620 conversion van. I can only find the 1993 cargo g20 and it doesnt seem very accurate either.

 

[highdesertranger]

to get an accurate weight you need to take it to a public scale. there is no other way. highdesertranger

 

[accrete]

That's roughly 1100 lbs added to the empty vehicle

I was kinda OCD on weighing our van at first. There just so happens to be an automated truck scale on 101 south of where we live on the Oregon coast. I would visit the scales after nearly every major upfit or heading out of town on an adventure.
There was one time i nearly croaked when adding up the two axle weights... it was just under 7200 lbs!!!
The GVWR on our van is 7300.
I told my wife that she HAD to get some of her gold prospecting gear out from under the platform bed.

Next check we were back down to ~6900 and change : )

Thom

 

[Luisafernandes]

I have a 2500 Chevy cargo van, regular length. With everything in it, including me: 7400 pounds. 1200 under weight limit. If you want to see what I have in it you can check the thread: 2014 Chevy Express 2500 cargo van build, or visit my YouTube channel: Rolling Earth-Ship.

 

[NeedAnEscape]

Does anyone know of an accurate website to tell the weight of your vehicle? I cannot find my exact year for my 1992 chevy 620 conversion van. I can only find the 1993 cargo g20 and it doesnt seem very accurate either.

Since yours is a conversion van you'll have to get it weighed. There's no way to know how much weight the conversion company added.

 

[Luisafernandes]

I took the van to Cat Scales. You can find them in many truck stops.

 

[highdesertranger]

accrete said, "I told my wife that she HAD to get some of her gold prospecting gear out from under the platform bed". hahaha you can't be serious the prospecting equipment is the last thing to get thrown off. food, water, spare tire, anything but the prospecting gear. lol highdesertranger

 

[accrete]

... the prospecting equipment is the last thing to get thrown off.  food, water, spare tire,  anything but the prospecting gear.  lol highdesertranger

I think at one point she asked me how much I weighed.
Then I reminded her that if her Garmin gives out... she must rely on her...

Thom-Thom
 
: )