| Commercial Vans in a type of Auto that used for | | | | - GVW Gross vehicle weight: |
| trade and transport with the most valuable. Vans | | | | vehicle’s total weight alone + the weight of |
| can be modified for use each business needs. A | | | | the load together |
| commercial van is a motor vehicle that is | | | | - GCW Gross Combination Weight: |
| equipped to carry large amounts of passengers | | | | vehicle’s total weight + trailer + load |
| on the road. There are various types of | | | | - GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: a |
| commercial vehicles and they all serve a purpose | | | | manufacturer’s maximum specification for |
| based on the use of the vehicle. The definitions of | | | | a vehicle + the load. |
| commercial vans are as follows: | | | | - Axle Weight: the force of an axle pushing its |
| - Commercial vans are equipped to transport | | | | weight to the ground by either one axle or all |
| over eleven passengers including the driver. | | | | axles. |
| - A vehicle carrying over 11 or more passengers | | | | - Tire Load: the safest weight in which a singe tire |
| including the driver and transporting students back | | | | can carry per load. To find the maximum limit for |
| and forth to school. | | | | each tire, look on the sidewall of the tire. |
| - The gross vehicle weight rating also defines the | | | | - Suspension Systems: the vehicle is held up by a |
| commercial van at a weight of 26,001 or more | | | | suspension system that can only allow for so |
| pounds. | | | | much weight. Check with your manufacturer for |
| - The mode of transportation sets a commercial | | | | the weight limits or the vehicle handbook. |
| van apart by what it transports. | | | | - Coupling Device Capacity: a device used to |
| - If a vehicle is placarded due to hazardous | | | | distribute weight between the vehicle and the load |
| material being transported, then it is also | | | | it pulls. The maximum is determined based on the |
| considered a commercial van. | | | | size of the coupler. |
| - A commercial van is registered and titled by a | | | | Safety of Commercial Vans |
| company through the local department of motor | | | | Commercial vans can cause the driver to feel like |
| vehicles. | | | | the vehicle is off balance. You must be aware of |
| - The driver of a commercial van must also | | | | the vehicle’s height. Many commercial vans |
| obtain a Commercial Driver’s License or | | | | are top heavy and require special training to |
| CDL from the local state. | | | | ensure that the vehicle will not tip over during |
| Weight Limits | | | | turns. If heavy cargo is place near the top of the |
| A vehicle’s weight limit is determined by a | | | | vehicle it will cause the vehicle to topple over. This |
| number of factors. Every state has their own | | | | is poor weight balance and the vehicle becomes |
| legal limits on how much weight a vehicle can | | | | unsafe to drive not only for the driver but also |
| carry. You must stay within the legal limit when | | | | for those that are on the road near the top |
| transporting or you could be cited. There are | | | | heavy vehicle. Especially if the van vehicle is |
| different values of weight and they are listed are | | | | driven up and down a mountain with steep cliffs. |
| follows: | | | | |