Which double cab is suitable for heavy loads?

If you regularly hit the road with your team and materials, a double-cab van with sufficient load capacity is important. For heavy loads, pay particular attention to the difference between GVW (gross vehicle weight) and unladen weight, as this determines how much you can actually load. Models with a GVW of up to 3500 kg usually offer between 800 and 1200 kg of payload, depending on the configuration and weight of the double cab. In this article, we explain what to look out for when choosing the right heavy-duty double cab.

What is the difference between GVW and payload in the case of a double cab?

The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is the maximum total weight your commercial vehicle can have when fully loaded, including passengers, fuel and cargo. You calculate the payload by subtracting the empty weight of the van from the GVW. With a double cab van, this difference is important because the extra cabin space and seats increase the empty weight, leaving you with less payload.

Suppose you have a commercial vehicle with a GVW of 3500 kg and an unladen weight of 2300 kg. That leaves 1200 kg of payload. Subtract the weight of passengers (75 kg per person on average), and you can see that with a fully occupied double cabin with six people, 450 kg will soon go on passenger transport. That leaves about 750 kg for materials and tools.

This is why it is important to properly calculate how much you actually need beforehand. Will you often drive with a full team? Then you need to consider less available payload. Do you usually ride with one or two people? Then you can take more equipment with you. Always check the vehicle registration certificate for the exact figures, as these can vary considerably per model and brand.

What technical specifications should you check for heavy loads?

Besides payload, there are more technical specifications that determine whether a double cab is suitable for heavy loads. The towing weight is relevant if you regularly use a trailer or trailer. Many commercial vehicles up to 3500 kg can tow between 2000 and 2500 kg, but this varies by model and engine variant. Stronger diesel engines often offer more towing capacity than smaller variants.

The axle load distribution determines how the weight is distributed between the front and rear axles. With heavy loads, it is important that the rear axle has sufficient load-bearing capacity because that is where most of the weight rests. A good axle load distribution prevents your car from becoming unstable when fully loaded. Also check the suspension, because a reinforced rear suspension is no luxury when doing heavy work.

The brake system should of course also be calculated for the weight you are transporting. Modern commercial vehicles have disc brakes all round and electronic stability control as standard, but for heavy loads it is wise to look at extra options such as a load-dependent braking system. This automatically adjusts braking force based on the load.

Practical tip: for regular heavy work, keep at least 1000 kg payload, a towing weight of at least 2000 kg if you use trailers, and choose a version with reinforced suspension. This will prevent you from driving at your vehicle's limit, which is both safer and better for the life of your vehicle.

How does a double cab affect payload?

A double cab weighs about 150 to 300 kg more than a single cab, depending on the make and model. This extra weight comes from the longer body, extra doors, seats and safety systems. With a van double cab, this weight goes directly off the available payload, meaning you can carry less material than with a comparable single cab.

The difference becomes even greater when you actually fill the cabin with passengers. Six people in the car quickly means 450 kg extra weight, on top of the weight of the cabin itself. As a result, the total payload for materials in a fully occupied double cab is often 600 to 800 kg lower than in a single cab with one or two passengers.

Still, a double cab is the right choice for many companies. If you regularly drive a whole team to project sites, you save costs on a second vehicle. You transport staff and equipment in one trip, saving time and fuel. The trade-off is simple: do you need more staff transport or maximum payload? For construction crews, installation companies and maintenance teams working together, the benefit of travelling together often outweighs the loss of cargo space.

Just make sure you stay within the GVW limits. Overloading is not only dangerous, but can also lead to fines and insurance problems. When in doubt, weigh your car fully loaded to check if you are within the permissible limits.

Which brands and models are best for heavy loads?

Within the commercial vehicle category up to 3500 kg, there are several types suitable for heavy loads with a double cab. Light commercial vehicles such as the Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Vito and Peugeot Expert usually offer between 800 and 1000 kg payload capacity in double cab versions. These models are popular because they offer a good balance between personnel transport and load capacity.

For really heavy work pickups often a better choice. Models with four-wheel drive and reinforced chassis can handle more weight and are built for rugged off-road use. The downside is that pickups often have slightly less cargo space than enclosed vans, and the cargo box is open, which can be less convenient in bad weather or for valuables.

Another option is a chassis cab, where you can choose which superstructure comes on top. This gives maximum flexibility and you can tailor the configuration entirely to your type of work. Think of a tipper truck for earth-moving, a platform truck for long materials, or a closed body with side door for tool storage.

In terms of engine variants, more powerful diesel engines not only offer more towing power, but often a higher permitted GVW and better towing weight. Models with automatic transmission make heavily loaded driving more comfortable, especially in town or on busy roads. Also look for options like 4Motion all-wheel drive if you regularly drive on dirt roads or construction sites.

How we help you choose the right double cabin

With us, it's all about finding a double cab van that really suits your daily operations and load requirements. With more than 60 years of experience and a stock of around 400 commercial vehicles, we know exactly what you need to look out for when transporting heavy loads. We take the time to understand your situation: how many people are driving, what kind of materials are you transporting, and how heavy is an average load?

Our approach is practical and transparent:

• Personal advice based on your specific load requirements and type of work
• Various stock with various load capacities and configurations, from light commercial vehicles to robust pickups
• Technical check of GVW, payload and axle load distribution per model
• Test drive possibilities to test driving behaviour with load
• Customisation options such as reinforced suspension, towbar mounting and practical heavy-duty accessories
• Flexible financing via purchase or lease, tailored to your business situation
• Stock alert service if your specific model is not listed right now

In our showroom in Helmond, you can find various double cabins and clearly explain the technical specifications. Together we calculate how much payload you will have left after deducting the passenger weight, so you know exactly where you stand. Is your ideal car not listed? Then put a stock alert on and we will let you know as soon as a suitable vehicle arrives.

Want to know which double cab is best for your heavy-duty job? Contact us or drop by our showroom. We will be happy to help you with practical advice and an honest story about what can and cannot be done.