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Gross vehicle weight question

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team309 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 16:23
Hi all,
I'm a new member; recently sold my T3, missing it and now after a mk1 LT. But being a youngster (well, under 30) I can only drive a vehicle up to 3500kg GVW on my car licence. So was wondering if that allows the VW LT35. Does anyone know the exact GVW of the mk1 LT35, read directly off your logbook perhaps? I want to know whether I'll be ok to drive one or will have to claim ignorance...

Also: I was thinking of getting a diesel (turbo or non-turbo, whatever comes up) on the grounds of fuel economy but someone mentioned that the diesel, whilst being a bulletproof engine, isn't necessarily much more economical than the 2.4 petrol. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Info much appreciated, thanks for your help!

Dave.
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Steve B View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 16:51
Doesn't the 35 in LT35 mean 3500kg GVW?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 16:53
LT35 is 3500kg GVW, LT40 is 4000kg GVW...you get the picture!

There have been a few threads about economy, depends on roof height, driving style type of roads etc but if I was getting another one I would be tempted to go petrol and fit an LPG system. Turbo diesels seem to be less common but better on hills than the non turbo. Not driven a petrol but bhp similar to TD, a bit less torque though.

EDIT - You beat me to it Steve!


Edited by mat_the_cat - 09 Sep 10 at 16:53
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
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team309 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote team309 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 17:47
Thanks for the info guys!

Re: the vehicle weight: I am aware that LT35 means 3500kg, but I presume that that is a rounded up figure and wondering what the exact figure is, and whether is it a little bit under or over 3500kg, (in the same way that a Land Rover Defender 90 actually has a 93 inch wheelbase, or a Mondeo ST220 actually pumps out 222bhp, etc...) Or maybe it is just listed on the logbook as 3500kg...?

Many thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 17:55
Yes but it means it can weigh a maximum of 3500kg including contents.
The unladen weight will naturally be less depending on if it's a bare van,camper etc.
Probably 1000 kgs less?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 17:56
As it is a maximum figure rather than a measured figure I would think VW have set it at 3500kg to ensure the vehicle falls into that category. I'm certain it could take more weight safely, but you'd obviously then be breaking the law...

Edited by mat_the_cat - 09 Sep 10 at 17:57
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
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mat_the_cat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 17:58
Dammit Steve, are you one step ahead of me all the time?!Wink Or am I just one step behind?LOL
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 18:00
The main point is we are saying the same thing.Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mogsy1975 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 10 at 21:50

i had this question as my wife passed her test 2 yrs ago, but she is allowed to drive anything up to 3500kgs, so is fine in an lt35. just worked out my mpg is 23, for a 1993, 2.4 diesel, if that helps, i get 310 miles out of my tank, think it cost £60 to fill last time!

vw lt35 1993 2.4d
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team309 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote team309 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Sep 10 at 09:23
Thanks Mogsy, that's just the job.  And cheers for the fuel economy calculation!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mat_the_cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Sep 10 at 11:25
I’m getting a fairly steady average of 25mpg on a Turbodiesel high top camper conversion although I did manage a best of 28mpg and 400miles from a tank (I was driving through France and could not find a petrol station!)
I’m hoping to improve on the above figures as I suspect the timing is slightly retarded after I took the pump off (I only set it by ear afterwards).


Edited by mat_the_cat - 10 Sep 10 at 11:26
Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hugo151 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 10 at 21:30
my short wheelbase low top  non turbo diesel bare LT35van weighs about 1900kg empty & i've had 36mpg on a run, even when full to the gunnels i've had an average of 30mpg. around town or short trips in winter they are not so good because they take about 5 miles to warm up properly.
1991 diesel swb low roof panel van LT35. 171k
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andy K Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 10 at 14:32

My LT40 was downrated with the DVLA to 3500kg as its now classed as a 'motorhome'. Which I think would mean you could drive it on your car licence.

As fuel economy, mines a 2.4 petrol (high top) with a weber carb on it and she's returning about 18mpg. However with it being an LT40 the gearing is lower but she still came home from VanFest last night at 60mph (according to the speedo!!) whilst pulling a little trailer. There was a little bit left in her but not much! :P

Nessie - 1985 LT40, 2.4 Petrol (6 Cyl) - Gone but not forgotten..
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndyT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 10 at 17:14
Guys,

If you've got a log book for an LT35 fish it out and check the Revenue Weight.
My LT28's MGW is 2980kg, more than LT28 would suggest.

There are reg's relating to a camper, once it's converted they are quite lenient but I don't know about the age limitations.

Economy wise lpg beats a diesel hands down and is quieter too, but it does mean investing £1000 or so.

If possible buy a 2.4 cos the 2.0 is underpowered.

Andy
LT28 1979 2.0 Pampas Nevada Camper LPG 93K, 1980 T3 A/C Camper 98K,1994 RRC 3.9 LPG 120k , 1998 Audi A6 Est 2.5 V6 diesel 127k

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team309 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote team309 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 10 at 18:18
Andy,
That's exactly what I'm after, and concerned about. Anyone with an LT35 logbook handy?

Cheers,
Dave
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mogsy1975 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 10 at 18:02
does anyone elses van overheat over 60mph? mine stays in the middle of the gauge at 60, is that ok?
vw lt35 1993 2.4d
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icky View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote icky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 10 at 19:38

Mate - LT28, LT31 and LT35 are all fine for the 'newer' licenses. I'm 22 and passed my test in 2005.

The '35' bit of an LT35 means that it is essentially a '3 and a half tonne van' - urgo, the van itself weighs somewhere around 1900kg, but it can carry a maximum payload of around 1600kg - so the van plus payload equates to no more than 3500kg.
 
The reason the LT28 looks like an odd weight is because the reason behind the weight rating on the '28 is so the van falls into the 'less than 3 tonnes' Class IV MOT category, rather than for licensing reasons.
 
MPG wise, different vans vary. I've had 36mpg out of a SWB TD camper, 29mpg from a 2.4 N/A diesel camper, 26-32mpg out of an empty 2.4TDi LWB high top panel van. The 2.7 Perkins diesel in my current Sven hedin camper returns about 34mpg, cruising at around 65.


Edited by icky - 14 Sep 10 at 19:43
Engine cranes = the ultimate tool to test the tensile strength of Everything you didn't disconnect!

- 2000 MK4 Golf GT TDi
- 1994 LT Panel Van
- 1997 LT Minibus
- 1984 Volvo/VanHool Alizee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote icky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 10 at 19:41
Originally posted by mogsy1975 mogsy1975 wrote:

does anyone elses van overheat over 60mph? mine stays in the middle of the gauge at 60, is that ok?
 
In a VW - 'Normal operating temperature' is with the needle round about vertical, and sometimes creeping slowly up the gauge during 'hard acceleration' or up long hills. As long as the needle returns to the middle again, that's probably fine. As long as the 'red light of trouble' doesn't come on.
 
All LT's should do 60 no problem except for the heaviest coachbuilt campers/horseboxes...
Engine cranes = the ultimate tool to test the tensile strength of Everything you didn't disconnect!

- 2000 MK4 Golf GT TDi
- 1994 LT Panel Van
- 1997 LT Minibus
- 1984 Volvo/VanHool Alizee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mogsy1975 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 10 at 21:47
cheers icky.
vw lt35 1993 2.4d
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Doozer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 11 at 15:24
HELP! what does the flashing red light of trouble mean, my needle doesnt move from the left and my FLASHING RED LIGHT OF TROUBLE comes on after a few mins of running.
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