VW Transporter weight

Introduction to VW Transporter models

The Volkswagen Transporter is based on VW’s T platform and refers to a series of vans produced since the 1950s. Here we will explore the VW Transporter weight and payload across the range of variants.

You may also be interested in our VW Transport Model guides VW Transporter models – differences and VW Transporter Dimensions

VW Transporter Weight differences

The weight of the transporter is on a general and consistent increase over the six generations but there are aberrations depending on the trim levels within them that are affected by some of the following factors

• Wheelbase – Short Wheel Base (SWB) and Long Wheel Base (LWB)
• Roof height
• Fuel type – Petrol or Diesel
• Seating capacity – Shuttle, Kombi, Caravelle, etc.

So for example, the diesel variants with a long wheelbase and high roof variants are generally heavier for obvious reasons.

As the transporters evolved to become bigger, better, stronger, and more versatile, the vehicular weight took a central position amongst all other features. With the Transporter T5 and T6, the vehicle’s weight has become the identifying and differentiating factor to the extent that the models were named after their weights.

So the 2,600kg model is T26, 2,800kg is T28 , 3,000kg is T30 and 3,200kg  became T32. This will be further detailed in the tables below.

Weight by models

Before we list the weight of each model, it is important to understand the following two weights:

Kerb weight is the total mass of a vehicle with standard equipment and all consumables present such as oil, diesel/petrol brake fluids, steering fluids and so on, while not loaded with either passengers or cargo.

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) or Weight (GVW) is the maximum the Transporter can safety weigh when loaded with either cargo or passengers.

The mathematical difference between the Kerb weight and GVM is referred to as the “Payload”.

Here is a table that lists the Kerb weight and Gross vehicular weight of popular variants of all transporter models.

What is the VW Transporter Payload?

Payload is simply the maximum load your vehicle can safely carry as specified by the manufacturer.

This includes all passengers and their luggage.  The payload value can be calculated by simply deducing your vehicle’s Kerb Mass from its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).

Exceeding the payload can compromise the acceleration, braking, and overall balancing of your vehicle.

It puts a massive strain on your engine and transmission, tyres and suspension components potentially leading to disastrous consequences. Besides, it can invite heavy penalties from law and also create issues in accident insurance claims.

VW Transporter payload by model

The following table lists the VW transporter payload of popular variants across all models

Transporter Model	Variant	Payload (in Kg)
T1		750kg
T2		900kg
T3	Combi	995kg
	Joker High Roof	640kg
T4	800 special	875kg
	1000 kg swb	1070kg
	1000 kg lwb	1070kg
	1000 kg window van	1063-1093kg
	1200 kg swb	1190-1220kg
	1200 kg lwb	1140-1170kg
	High Roof	1071-1120kg
	Chassis Cab	1370-1400kg
	Dropside	1190-1220kg
T5	Caravelle comfortline	740 – 1000kg
	Highline	1000- 1314kg
	Starline	1000- 1314kg
T6	T26	714kg
	T27	836kg
	T28	745 – 917kg
	T30	912 – 1117kg
	T32	987 – 1309kg

What has driven the changes in weight?

Over the past 70 years that has spanned 6 generations of the Volkswagen Transporter, the VW Transporter weight has been changing for a lot of reasons as it evolved to keep up with the demands of the time. We have identified some of the following factors:

• An increase in dimensions led to an increase in weight
• Making the van more versatile and increasing the utilities made it heavier.
• A focus on improving the interiors created both heavier and lighter models
• Increasing the passenger-carrying capacity and offering more seating variants led to a difference in weights within the same model
• The need for speed and carrying capacity has led to bigger engines –  from 1.1 L in T1, we have a 2 L engine in T6 and 3.2L in T5. This impacts weight.
• The initial round vans gave way to a square and boxy shape that made it bigger. However, some of the weight was offset by using new-age lighter metals in the body and all other components.

VW Transporter history

The VW Transporter history spans back over 70 years and is now in its sixth generation, the generations are named sequentially from T1 to T6. The T1, T2, and T3 models were named retrospectively only after the T4 model was first introduced in 1990.

The VW Transporter is the best selling van ever produced and there comprises a gamut of variants including vans, minivans, minibusses, pick-ups, and campervans.

Across the globe, the Transporter is known by different names like Shuttle, California, Kombi, Caravelle, Microbus, VW Camper, Bulli etc. The following is a brief progression of transporter models.

VW Transporter T1 – 1950-1967

VW Transporter T2 – 1967-1979

VW Transporter T3 – 1979-1992

VW Transporter T4 – 1990-2003

VW Transporter T5 – 2003-2015

VW Transporter T6 – 2016- till present

VW Transporter weight conclusion

The transporters are being refined with every generation and there is a general increase in its weight due to increased size, versatility, and carrying capacity.

However, with a lot of components that have come to be made of plastic and other lighter material, the weight increase isn’t in direct proportion to the size and carrying capacity.

Within the models, the weight differs according to the trim. And with the average weight of T6.1 almost the same and even lighter for some variants as compared to the T5, it is expected that the future models might see a decline in weight.

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