How to increase the carrying capacity of the Gazelle

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

You can talk about all the advantages of the GAZelle light truck for hours. Today's speech will be about how you can increase the carrying capacity of the Gazelle, and whether it is necessary at all.

Often, domestic "Gazelists" in pursuit of earnings load 2-3 tons into their car. But we all know very well what the carrying capacity of the Gazelle is (according to passport data, it is 1,500 kilograms). Rarely do drivers think about the consequences of overloading. As a result of such a ride on a truck, the springs sag, the suspension breaks, and sometimes even the frame bursts. The domestic consumer is not stopped by the fact that the GAZelle was originally designed for a load of 1.5 tons.

GAZ-3302 cars with a four-meter body

Today, such long GAZelek configurations are quite popular in Russia. They even slowly begin to displace their "three-meter ancestor". Few of the drivers thought that the frame remains the same on this Gazelle, and it will not be lucky with more than 1.5 tons. Unscrupulous drivers think thatif the useful volume of the cargo compartment has increased by 1.5-2 times, then the machine is designed for an additional load of 2.5-3 tons. It is worth saying that the GAZ-3302 with a four-meter body has the same engine, frame, springs and suspension as the three-meter GAZelle.

Their only difference is a more voluminous, and, accordingly, heavier body (in the case of isothermal vans, the difference is approximately 300-400 kilograms). Based on this, it is easy to calculate that in fact the carrying capacity of the Gazelle with a four-meter body is 1100-1200 kilograms. And as we know, many drivers also install gas equipment (methane gas) in addition. One such cylinder weighs 100 kilograms (90 kilograms in a lightweight version). Often, 4-5 methane cylinders are installed on long Gazelles. Based on this, the carrying capacity of the Gazelle will be reduced by another 400 kilograms and will be 0.7-0.8 tons. But where have you seen such a driver who would load a maximum of 700 kilograms on such a car? So we get sagging springs, a burst frame and a broken engine.

In what ways can the carrying capacity of the Gazelle be increased?

At the moment there are only two ways to increase the carrying capacity. This is the strengthening of the springs (installation of additional sheets on the rear axle) and the strengthening of the frame (welding by attaching a metal channel to the frame itself). And if the first wayis a prevention against minor overloads (withstands an additional load of 300-350 kilograms), then the second method is just a waste of time and money. Indeed, by strengthening the frame, we increase the curb weight by a couple of hundred kilograms, thereby increasing fuel consumption and increasing the load on the engine and gearbox. And if you still transport 3 tons on it, after 100 meters your rear axle and all suspension components will burst.

Conclusion

Finally, I would like to say - transport 1.5 tons on GAZelles, and the car will thank you with reliable and uninterrupted operation!