Need advice about a cargo van.

blizzard2014 · Sep 1, 2008

I'm getting ready to buy a GMC Savannah G-2500 Extended Cargo Van, but i'm not sure why there are only 6 lug nuts on the wheels as opposed to 8? The van is a G-2500 according to the title and the GVW on the side of the door says 9600 pounds. But, I can't seem to find very many G-2500's with six lug nuts on the wheels. Also, this particular van has a 6 cylinder V.6 4.3 liter Gasoline engine that gets 20 MPG. But, it is only 200 horse power, which has me wondering if it has enough power to pull loads up long grades and what not. The van was, however, used as an expedite van for three years and the former driver has not had any trouble with the HP.

So, what I am asking here is. 1. Does anyone on this site currently drive a Savannah G-2500 with a 6 Cylinder V. 6 4.3 liter engine? 2. If so, does it perform when going up long grades? 3. are you still able to get a fair amount of load offers despite the lower payload capacity? Any helpful advice and or suggestions with regards to this question will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, blizzard!

late4dinner · Sep 1, 2008

Blizzard. Some companies will not let you come on board with a 3/4 Ton van. If you are fired up sure you want to buy a used 3/4 van make sure you have a company to drive for.

blizzard2014 · Sep 1, 2008

Well, can't I just add some more leaf-springs to the rear end and beef up the payload capacity on the van? Perhaps modify it a bit?

greg334 · Sep 1, 2008

Before you commit to the purchase, take the VIN and go to your nearest GM dealer, any gm dealer and have them run the VIN. They can tell you everything about that van.

Something sounds weird, the 2500 didn't have a 9600lb GVW.

blizzard2014 · Sep 1, 2008

I am pre-approved to go back to panther. When I was working for Panther Expedited Services, they rarely loaded my van over 2000 pounds. Current load rating for the Savannah, G-2500 is 2,600 pounds, to include cargo and passengers. I think that is enoughh payload capacity for me to remain viable at Panther. This van is coming with an s-bar heater (2000 dollar value), a ceiling installed fan, a 16 inch roof mounted television, built in collapsable bunk, e-tracking and wood floor, one marine deep cycle battery, and a few other extras. The extras alone are worth the price that i'm paying for the van. The van has 270,000 miles on it (all highway, all expediting miles) all maintenance done by owner. I checked the fluids, all are clean. There are no leaks in the motor, and the van runs like a dream.

late4dinner · Sep 1, 2008

6 lug wheels and 2500 does not sound like any 9600 GVW that I have ever seen. You can add springs but that won't add to your GVW, it only adds to your empty weight. You can increase the GVW of a big truck by adding a tag axel but you can not increase the GVW of a 4 wheeler.
Now let's assume that you can increase your GVW. What are you going to do about stopping all that extra weight???

blizzard2014 · Sep 1, 2008

Thanks for the advice. Please feel free to give me as much advice as you can. Thanks.

late4dinner · Sep 1, 2008

When asking for advice we sometimes don't get the answers we want. But you can be sure of one thing, you are going to get it!

fastman_1 · Sep 1, 2008

nope the 6 lugs is the lighter duty van, Thats what I have, then after a while I added one ton springs just so it would ride smoother with 2500 pounds on,

OntarioVanMan · Sep 1, 2008

My first van was a Dodge van 98 3/4T with a factory upgrade to a 1 ton....8 bolt system and upgraded brake system. Rotors were huge compared to 6 bolt system..7700lb GVW

adding an extra spring will NOT raise your LEGAL manufacturers recommended GVW but .....

outside of extra load opportunities, why carry heavier weight and strain the drive train? we don't get paid for it....and it just wears the van out.

CharlesD · Sep 1, 2008

OntarioVanMan said:
outside of extra load opportunities, why carry heavier weight and strain the drive train? we don't get paid for it....and it just wears the van out.

I agree there. Plenty of van loads are lighter than that anyway. Heck, in my Sprinter I get a lot of stuff under 2000 lbs.

chefdennis · Sep 1, 2008

Having sold chevy light duty trucks for 10 yrs , what you are looking at is a 8600 GVW van. While it is the same extended length, it is a lighter van. I has small suspension ft components (control arms, springs, sway bar etc.) as well as a small rear differential, axles and springs. The Gmc and chevy are the same van.

Now you can add a leaf, but it still will not be RATED at the higher GVW because of the above mentioned components. The weight carrying capacity is spread out over the haul chassis. And more important, it that little sticker on the door that shows the GVW that a DOT guy is going to look at if you find yourself in that spot. He doesn't care what you have added to the van to let you carry more weight, it ain't rated for the 9600 GVW.

No there are companies that will take you on, i talked to a few, BUT, you will limit yourself as to loads, because most all companies also go by the "little GVW sticker" on the door. They know just how much you can haul.

I am not telling you not to get that van, just make sure that you make your decision on correct info, check with a few companies that you want to work with 1st.

Just my 2 cents worth for what it is wrth.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 1, 2008

"The van is a G-2500 according to the title and the GVW on the side of the door says 9600 pounds"

Chef....why does his door sticker say this and the title?....

blizzard2014 · Sep 1, 2008

Maybe I read the door wrong. I will check it out again tomorrow before I buy the van. So, what is the actual payload capacity of a g-2500? Because, I know the sprinters are mostly 2500's and they can haul up to 2500 pounds.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 1, 2008

blizzard said:
Maybe I read the door wrong. I will check it out again tomorrow before I buy the van. So, what is the actual payload capacity of a g-2500? Because, I know the sprinters are mostly 2500's and they can haul up to 2500 pounds.

Most carriers will get you to empty weigh...full tank of fuel and your gear and yourself...so the payload will vary from van to van...example if you weigh out at 6,000lbs subtract 8600..payload would be 2600 Lbs....

My Sprimter is 8550 GVW and we empty weigh at 6400...leaving a 2150 payload....

Before I added all the insulation ,generator, A/C, gear..virually the shell, running solo it was 5700 empty or a 2850 payload...so these people that say they take 3,000 lbs in a sprinter are WAY overloaded...and you'll prolly see they are the ones having drive train problems and premature brake wear.

chefdennis · Sep 1, 2008

If it has 6 lugs it isn't a 9600 gvw.

Now, I have a GMC G-3500 8 lug 9600 GVW. The empty CURB weight is 5660 lbs. That leaves 3940 lbs for gear,me and freight.

I am not even going to speak to a sprinter because I have no idea. But that door jam sticker is what the co. and DOT guy is going to go by,it maked no difference what you do to the suspension to increase the capacity, they don't care, it is all about what the documents say.

Oh and as far as the title saying 1 thing or another, I can only speak to Ohio, but the title office didn't even ask for a weight slip and neither did the licence bureau when I got my plates. All the title bureau did was ask ME to "declare" the GVW, and the licence bureau went off the the title, no questiones asked. I could have stated or "declared whatever i wanted. I did have a "cat scale" weight slip, and they didn't even want it.

Oh and one more thing that all manufactures state is "GCVW", that is Gross Combined Vehicle Weight", or the total of the "curb weight" and the ""total cargo capacity of the van Combined.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 1, 2008

chefdennis said:
If it has 6 lugs it isn't a 9600 gvw.

Now, I have a GMC G-2500 8 lug 9600 GVW. The empty CURB weight is 5660 lbs. That leaves 3940 lbs for gear,me and freight.

I am not even going to speak to a sprinter because I have no idea. But that door jam sticker is what the co. and DOT guy is going to go by,it maked no difference what you do to the suspension to increase the capacity, they don't care, it is all about what the documents say.

Oh and as far as the title saying 1 thing or another, I can only speak to Ohio, but the title office didn't even ask for a weight slip and neither did the licence bureau when I got my plates. All the title bureau did was ask ME to "declare" the GVW, and the licence bureau went off the the title, no questiones asked. I could have stated or "declared whatever i wanted. I did have a "cat scale" weight slip, and they didn't even want it.

Oh and one more thing that all manufactures state is "GCVW", that is Gross Combined Vehicle Weight", or the total of the "curb weight" and the ""total cargo capacity of the van Combined.

Agreed Chef..now when you say "empty curb weight" i'll assume thats NOT with you or anything inside..basically the shell? Yes-No?

LDB · Sep 1, 2008

I'm not a van guy but this unit sounds long on goodies like the Espar heater etc. and short on substance i.e. engine, chassis etc. If I were going to run a van I'd only go with a 350/3500 with a v8 and all the true h.d. components. As tempting as the goodies are I'd probably pass unless it's truly being given away.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 1, 2008

LDB said:
I'm not a van guy but this unit sounds long on goodies like the Espar heater etc. and short on substance i.e. engine, chassis etc. If I were going to run a van I'd only go with a 350/3500 with a v8 and all the true h.d. components. As tempting as the goodies are I'd probably pass unless it's truly being given away.

Leo the 6 bolts would concern me that he's not getting the van he thinks he's getting...IF it is a light wieght van and driven with heavy weight loads....the 200,000 some odd miles it about due for some underside work..as in bushings tie rods and ball joints.