increasing the max weight of a defender...

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lozza59

Active Member
Posts
66
Location
oxford
hi,is it possible/feasible and what changes do you need to make to increase the gross weight of a defender to above 3.5 ton
i am asking because my camper conversion is 2.4 ton just as a box on wheels before kitting the inside and all the stuff we take with us

thanks

loz
 
The Military 130 ambulances have a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes, it could be worth finding out how they are upgraded.
Don't forget that many drivers can't drive vehicles over 3500kg, so you may reduce the value of the vehicle.
You would have to update the V5 with DVLA nd it would be in a new tax and MOT class.
Anything above 3500kg could be more trouble than it is worth.
 
Rougharse Racing said:
The Military 130 ambulances have a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes, it could be worth finding out how they are upgraded.
Don't forget that many drivers can't drive vehicles over 3500kg, so you may reduce the value of the vehicle.
You would have to update the V5 with DVLA nd it would be in a new tax and MOT class.
Anything above 3500kg could be more trouble than it is worth.
Click to expand...
The OP might not even be able to drive a vehicle over 3500kg.
 
Rougharse Racing said:
The Military 130 ambulances have a gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes, it could be worth finding out how they are upgraded.
Don't forget that many drivers can't drive vehicles over 3500kg, so you may reduce the value of the vehicle.
You would have to update the V5 with DVLA nd it would be in a new tax and MOT class.
Anything above 3500kg could be more trouble than it is worth.
Click to expand...
I am fairly sure they are running the HD chassis as well as the relevant up-rated suspension. If this is the case that is not something you can easily retro fit. If your empty camper box has added 600kg I would suggest the camper box is to heavy especially if you have not kitted the inside yet. It may be worth reviewing the construction and looking at lighter materials for the structure. An empty 110 is about 1800kg once the rear tub is removed.

A quick google puts the military 130 ambulance at 3.7t laden weight so that is not a huge increase over standard.
 
the question is how a landy can be upgraded to say 5 ton
f857cfd622b65538dd104c5f2f672194.jpg

or 10 ton looking at this one

what would be involved
 
lozza59 said:
the question is how a landy can be upgraded to say 5 ton
f857cfd622b65538dd104c5f2f672194.jpg

or 10 ton looking at this one

what would be involved
Click to expand...
A complete custom chassis, custom axles, custom, suspension, custom brakes, custom diffs, custom props, custom gearbox and probably a Cummins engine, with a defender cab on it.
 
i should have asked .......
can 130 gvw be increased to 4 ton without fitting a 6x6 chassis

if yes what modifications would it need

why do i ask...3.5 fully loaded is not enough if i want to fit a cummings at a later date and still be within the 80% of max load recommended in the overland camper build
 
dag019 said:
I am fairly sure they are running the HD chassis as well as the relevant up-rated suspension. If this is the case that is not something you can easily retro fit. If your empty camper box has added 600kg I would suggest the camper box is to heavy especially if you have not kitted the inside yet. It may be worth reviewing the construction and looking at lighter materials for the structure. An empty 110 is about 1800kg once the rear tub is removed.

A quick google puts the military 130 ambulance at 3.7t laden weight so that is not a huge increase over standard.
Click to expand...

a 130 with just front seats screen on rolling chassis weighs 1740kg,subframe 120-150 kg,40mm lightweight insulated panels around 250kg,90 kg of box section ally frame,pop up roof lifters hydraulics around 30-50kg various other fabrications...it all adds up

what "lighter" materials did you use on your build
 
lozza59 said:
a 130 with just front seats screen on rolling chassis weighs 1740kg,subframe 120-150 kg,40mm lightweight insulated panels around 250kg,90 kg of box section ally frame,pop up roof lifters hydraulics around 30-50kg various other fabrications...it all adds up

what "lighter" materials did you use on your build
Click to expand...
My point is the army ambulance max out at 3.7. The army are no known for spending lots of money on space age materials and are known do carry a lot of kit and running heavy. Ultimately a land rover is a small light vehicle and if using it as a camper appropriate compromise would need to made because of this. If you want a large camper body fully kitted with all the home comforts and a large heavy cummins engine similar to the picture you have posted I would suggest you use a unimog or similar as the base vehicle not a land rover. You are fundamentally trying to get it to achieve something it is not designed for and is not large enough for.
 
If an Army Ambulance is not big enough for you, then maybe get something else. A 101 Forward Control, for example.
 
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