Fleet
GVWR and Payload — Understanding Your Van's Limits
Exceeding your van's gross vehicle weight rating is illegal, dangerous, and causes accelerated wear to brakes, suspension, and tyres.
Every van has a gross vehicle weight rating — the maximum weight the vehicle is legally allowed to be when fully loaded, including the driver, passengers, fuel, and cargo. Exceeding the GVWR is an offence that can result in fines, invalidated insurance, and prohibition from driving. It also causes premature wear to brakes, suspension, tyres, and the clutch, and increases stopping distances dangerously. Payload is the GVWR minus the kerb weight (the vehicle empty with a full tank of fuel). Checking the payload rating in the vehicle handbook or on the manufacturer's plate and weighing the loaded vehicle periodically helps ensure you stay within legal limits.
Key takeaways
- GVWR is the maximum legal weight of the vehicle when fully loaded
- Overloading is illegal, invalidates insurance, and causes accelerated mechanical wear
- Check the payload rating in the handbook and weigh the loaded vehicle periodically
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