Van chassis length, width & approx weight ?

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:44 am

Thanks to another lister I've been offered a brand new chassis at a price I'm happy to pay.
Now it's working out the logistics of collecting.
I've been to the local van hire company to get quotes as it's almost cheaper to hire a diesel van than take our petrol / 25mpg car plus trailer !
Dilemma is therefore whether to have a van large enough for chassis to go inside or a smaller van with a roof rack. Obviously larger van is dearer to hire and will use more fuel so my preference is a Citroen Berlingo with roof rack than a Transit.
To help can anyone with a chassis handy give me, roughly, the max length, width and weight ?
Weight can be an opinion rather than lbs /kgs - easy for one person to hand, a maul for one but possible, needs two people at least, light enough for commercial roof rack etc .

Thanks.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:39 pm

I do know it's a 2 person job to lift/carry it, if that's any use. Hold on and I'll measure the length and width for you.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:49 pm

hi paul, great stuff, is the chassis a new one or new old stock?

the chassis is 11 feet long (3.35m)

and if I'm right in assessing its widest part as the front spring hangers then allow a fraction under 4 foot six for its width (1.40m)

hope BG can confirm my measurements

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:00 pm

WILCO

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:09 pm

I make it 46 inches width at the hangers, and 11 feet 1 or 2 inches long, though that one was a bit tricky to measure. I'd also reckon that the roof rack idea isn't viable, owing to weight and sheer clumsiness of the thing.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:11 pm

Thanks for info.
Looks like it's easilly go on a commercial roof rack fitted to a small van or inside a LWB Transit.
Needless to say a small van is going to work out far cheaper to hire @ £31 per day compared to £45.

The chassis is owned by a friend of a lister. They have confirmed it is for sale and how much seller'd accept - which is agreeable by me.
All I know is it's around 10 years old and has surface rust.
That makes me think it'll be a Hendrics item rather than Sri Lankan (or maybe NOS Morris but I doubt that).
I'd have it galvanized so surface rust isn't a problem as it'd be acid dipped to get clean before the plating process.
Only problem is it's in Scotland so a long journey to collect hence hiring a van and having a few days holiday in the area when collecting (sleeping in back of van instead of camping).

Paul Humphries.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:22 pm

bigginger wrote:I make it 46 inches width at the hangers, and 11 feet 1 or 2 inches long, though that one was a bit tricky to measure. I'd also reckon that the roof rack idea isn't viable, owing to weight and sheer clunsiness of the thing.

Bill has moved several chassis on the roof rack of his little Vauxhall Combi van without problems.
Last time I saw him he'd one attached and it didn't seem too big.
He also reckons he can carry one in each hand.
There again he's a Scot and not one of us wimpy English

I haven't decided 100% yet what to do.
I might still go the car and trailer method as the collection might involve a car ferry in Scotland. I have been told a van MIGHT be expensive to take over making the car / trailer more viable.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:24 pm

bigginger wrote:WILCO

paul soon you will be sleeping in the back of your very own Morris Minor Van

<---- not quite a minor van but too bizarrely appropriate to ignore

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:31 pm

wibble_puppy wrote:

paul soon you will be sleeping in the back of your very own Morris Minor Van

I've still got to find a donor vehicle to use the chassis under yet.
I'm hoping the pick-up with fibreglass hardtop is going to be worth considering when I view that on Monday.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:54 pm

One in each hand? Liar

They just are to heavy to move about with one (me like) person - not far, anyhow, but I am a sad old invalid...
Congrats, btw - very good news, and if you're ever wanting rid of the rear/top

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:05 pm

bigginger wrote:One in each hand? Liar They just are to heavy to move about with one (me like) person - not far, anyhow, but I am a sad old invalid...

I'm more used to Land Rover chassis where 3-4 people are needed.
My Austin Seven chassis is so light you can lift with one hand and I carried it on the roof rack of my Minor.

I've just checked with the ferry company.
A car with trailer is DOUBLE charge.
Van up to 5m is same charge as a car and no addition for roof rack.
Looks like I'm back to debating what is most cost effective as the chassis won't go into the back of a SWB Transit and LWB will be dearer on ferry plus fuel.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **Packedup** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:14 pm

They're quite weighty, but 2 people can move one fairly easily. I'm not exactly robust, and can lift either end of a bare chassis without much of a struggle. As I seem to recall reading a max roof loading of approx 75kg on some of the cars I've had, I reckon if it's not my van it's worth sticking it on a sturdy rack ;)

Post by **les** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:43 pm

I'd take the lwb transit, that way the chassis will be dry and out of sight, also if your prepared to go to Scotland for the chassis the extra expense is nothing compared to the cost of the journey. Have you asked for a picture ? Another option might be to enquire as to the cost of a haulage company fetching it for you, and compare that to the cost of Hire fees, petrol, meals, ferry, overnight stay etc, etc.