Mobile Workshop Payload: What Does a 3.5-Tonne Limit Mean?

Custom Vehicle Briefs · Part 3

“The compressor fits. So do the cabinets and the workbench. Can we keep the vehicle under 3.5 tonnes?”

Before choosing a chassis, clarify what the limit applies to and list what will be on board when the crew leaves for work. In Part 2, we looked at what the compressor needs from the vehicle. Now put it back on the list and consider the weight of the whole build.

What does the 3.5-tonne limit apply to?

Rated gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the maximum permitted weight of the loaded vehicle. Actual loaded weight is what the vehicle weighs on a scale with its current load. If the requirement applies to rated GVW, a vehicle rated above 3,500 kg may be unsuitable even if it weighs less on the day it is weighed.

Check the rating for the exact chassis variant. The Farizon example in the cover image illustrates why the configuration matters. Use the documentation for the specific vehicle when checking your project.

Count what the crew carries on a busy day

Start with the vehicle and its conversion, including the workbench, cabinets, compressor and onboard power system. Then account for the driver and crew, tools, spares, consumables and any tanks or supplies normally carried full. Check what the starting weight already includes so those items are counted once.

Check both axle loads as well as the total. A compressor and power unit mounted near the rear can use up rear axle capacity while the overall weight is still within the vehicle’s rating.

What to share before choosing a chassis

• The limit and where it applies. Send the destination country and the exact wording of the requirement.
• The major equipment. Send the model, datasheet or estimated weight and say which items travel on every job.
• The working load. Include the crew, tools, spares, consumables and tanks normally carried full. Mark which figures are confirmed and which are estimates. If you have a chassis in mind, include the exact variant.

Our brief says “3.5 tonnes.” Two technicians travel with the compressor, tools and spare parts. The cabinet weights are estimates, and the chassis is still open. Please check the loaded weight and both axles.

While the layout is still open, we can compare chassis variants, move a heavy item or revisit what the crew needs to carry. Send your project requirements or use the vehicle quotation checklist to prepare the details.

Part 4 · How long does a work vehicle need to stay on site?

Part 1 · What to include in a custom vehicle enquiry