interior weight capacity 95 Astrovan

Van Living Forum

Help Support Van Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Ella1

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2015
Messages
521
Reaction score
12
How many pounds of interior cargo can be carried in a 95 Astrovan? I've checked my papers and
the internet and can't find anything other than 8 passengers. That could be a hundred pound driver and 7  20 pound babies... :D
That other thread was talking of weight distribution, too. Most of my weight so far is on the driver side. 4 tubs, and I have no idea of their individual weight. I will be carrying at least 120 pounds  in a cargo carrier, and 145 pounds on the right side of the van.
Ella
 
Ella, it's really hard for us to answer that for you. The best and only accurate thing to do is to load the van up with everything you know will go in it and take it to a scale to get it weighted. Nearly all truck stops have scales and it usually costs around $10.

Once you know what it actually weights you subtract that from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). You should be able to get that from the little plate on the inside of the drivers side door jam. If not, it could be in the glove box.
Bob
 
Ella, if you're anywhere close to Phoenix, drive by. I'll get in it, that's an easy 400.

The Astro window van was set up for between 6 and 7 people depending on configuration. They usually figure 150 pounds per adult (that's about 1 of my legs) and minimal cargo.
 
Bob's way is the absolute right way way. However, I've never been one to go weigh a vehicle. I estimate what I am carrying and keep it well below the max.

A quick google search shows the GVRW (gross vehicle weight rating) to be 5,000 to 5,500 pounds. The curb weight listed by Edmunds is 3998 lbs.. I don't know if that's the weight of your vehicle because I don't have any particulars, besides the year. That gives you about 1000 pounds of stuff you can carry. IN THEORY ONLY. I would never load my vehicle to the max.

Go to Edmunds to check your specific vehicle with regard to engine size, etc.
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/astro/1995/features-specs.html?sub=minivan&style=12940
 
My driver's side also weighs more than the passenger side.

I have Airbag helper springs on rear axle, and keep about 10PSI more in the driver's side to keep it level side to side. I also installed thicker front coil springs as my originals were simply too old and too tired, and even if new they would be taxed with the extra weight I carry.

My Buddy installed some airbags in his Astro. This does not increase the GVRW, but it does make the Van handle better when it is loaded down.

A Van Saggin on its springs is less safe than one riding at its designed ride height, and also draws unwanted attention.
 
I'm pretty sure the tubs aren't over 55 pounds each, one is 6 gallons of water, and it's probably the heaviest. I know I've got the about 200 pounds on the passenger side, and maybe 340 as of now, on the driver side and at least 120 on the hitch carrier. I have a little more to put in. Total cargo would probably be maybe 650, and that includes driver and passenger weights. According to Dusty98's figure of 150 per passenger, my van, which came with 5 seats, should hold about 750 pounds.

According to the door, GVWR=5950 / 2699, GAWR FRONT=2800 / 1270, GAWR REAR= 3150 / 1429 What do these numbers mean?
Ella
 
My driver's side also weighs more than the passenger side.

I have Airbag helper springs on rear axle, and keep about 10PSI more in the driver's side to keep it level side to side. I also installed thicker front coil springs as my originals were simply too old and too tired, and even if new they would be taxed with the extra weight I carry.

Maybe I'll take the tubs and weigh them. I have new standard shocks.

My Buddy installed some airbags in his Astro. This does not increase the GVRW, but it does make the Van handle better when it is loaded down.
Where are the airbags? I have one in the steering wheel

A Van Saggin on its springs is less safe than one riding at its designed ride height, and also draws unwanted attention. At 700 lbs for a truck, am I overloaded?
Ella
 
Quote:
"My driver's side also weighs more than the passenger side.
I have Airbag helper springs on rear axle, and keep about 10PSI more in the driver's side to keep it level side to side. I also installed thicker front coil springs as my originals were simply too old and too tired, and even if new they would be taxed with the extra weight I carry. ". End quote.

*******

Sounds like you are talking about me. Hmm, "my vans driver side weighs more than my passenger side", yep... About 350 pounds more here...
..."even if new (the coil springs) would be taxed with the extra weight I carry". Yep again. Any springs would be taxed with the extra weight I carry! Ha ha.

OP, if you only have about 700 pounds in that van, and don't have all the seats in it that it came with (if a window van) then you are fine. Just air up your tires higher than the door sticker says. They probably are P rated tires for cars and SUVs and minivans. They need closer to the maximum pressure that is listed on the tire sidewall, which is often close to 44 pounds. Put 40 in them cold. Get someone to look at the van when empty to see if it is still level. If when you load it up you are sagging, then air bags, helper springs or new coils (if it's coils on a Safari) would be in order.
 
I don't think you will over load the van loading it with a bed and personal item's. Now if you put a 50 gallon water tank or haul gravel in it then you will over load it. Personal item's and 2 5 gallon water jugs and a bed won't over load it.
 
Ella1 said:
Where are the airbags? I have one in the steering wheel

What Sternwake was talking about were air springs that augment the leaf or coil springs that came stock on your vehicle.  You can fill them with anywhere from 10 psi to 100 psi or more.  The more air in them, the more weight they support.  If you put more air in one side than the other, it can correct the side to side sag.

http://www.etrailer.com/susp-1995_Chevrolet_Astro.htm?style=&furl=-pm-Air_Lift

On some applications, they are available for the front, as well as the rear, though many people use only the rear ones.  They are vey popular with people who tow heavy trailers or carry heavy campers in the back of their pickup.  You can blow the air springs up to handle the extra weight, and let the air out when you are not pulling the trailer or carrying the camper.

Regards
John
 
Top