The Best Large Vans for Payload 2025 (3.5 Tonnes)

29/07/2025 07:00 Share

The Best Large Vans for Payload 2025 (3.5 Tonnes)

It stands to reason that leasing a large van will give you a large amount of load space but for the occasions when weight matters more than size, you’ll be after a large van with a large payload capacity.

Leasing large van with a large payload capacity isn’t quite as simple as selecting the biggest model as there are numerous factors that can affect the final payload capacity figure, such as engine size, gross vehicle weight and trim level.

It therefore pays that you do your research if carrying heavy loads is your priority as the range for capacity really varies within each model.

To save you scouring brochures, we’ve compiled the maximum payloads for the most popular sub-section in the category – large vans with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes.

It’s worth noting that it is possible to get a larger payload capacity from models with bigger GVWs. For instance, the Ford Transit can be had with a GVW of five tonnes, while the Iveco Daily goes all the way up to 7.2 tonnes.

In the interests of parity, however, we’re only selecting 3.5 tonne GVW large vans to indicate which models have the highest payload capacity in this bracket and which specific trim it applies to.

What Is A Maximum Payload?

Only two things are required to work out your van's maximum payload capacity; the GVW (Gross vehicle weight) and its kerbweight.

Both of these figures can be found in your vehicle's manual. GVW is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including the vehicle itself, operational fluids like fuel and oil, cargo and passengers. Kerbweight is weight of the vehicle alone.

To calculate your payload capacity, simply subtract your kerbweight from your GVW.

Let's imagine we have a van with a GVW of 2000kg. The kerbweight of the van is 1400kg, which means you can safely carry a payload of 600kg. This figure includes the weight of the driver and any other passengers.

Why It Is Important To Know Your Van’s Maximum Payload

It's important to know what payload your van can handle as overloading a vehicle can have all sorts consequences. Not only does it put a massive strain on the engine and transmission, it also places you, your passengers and other road users at risk.

Travelling in a van that exceeds its maximum gross vehicle weight is a serious offence that can leave you with a heavily damaged vehicle or, if it is involved in a crash, could cause greater damage or injury.

Best Large Van Leasing Deals With Vansdirect

Buying or leasing a new large van with Vansdirect has never been easier or better value.

Get the right van at the right deal, right now with the best van leasing deals available across a wide range of models, including the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Volkswagen Crafter

Speak to our expert team today and you could be driving a large van for less than you think, sooner than you thought.

5. Iveco Daily - 1362kg

If your average Transit, Movano and Master can be described as ‘large vans’, then certain versions of the Iveco Daily fall under the category ‘enormous van’.

A vestige of Iveco’s experience in the heavy-goods vehicle industry – where it’s trucks rule the highways that criss-cross Europe – the Daily with its ladder-frame chassis is very much designed as an old-school hauler with an emphasis on ‘heavy’.

As a result, it offers a version of the Iveco Daily that hits a mammoth 7.2 tonnes for GVW – both as a panel van and as a chassis cab – that is capable of hauling payloads of up to 4500kg.

There is also a 5.2 tonne GVW version too, which earmarks the Daily as the only choice if your loads are especially heavy.

In this instance we’re just focusing on the 3.5-tonne version, which isn’t quite as capable but still manages a hefty 1362kg when paired with a 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine.

4. Nissan Interstar - 1447kg

Though it unusually falls short of the payload quoted by its sister model, the Renault Master, the all-new Nissan Interstar still ranks as one of the most capable large vans in terms of payload capacity.

It offers an impressive payload across its diesel-powered models from 1347kg all the way to 1447kg, the maximum figure offered on the L2 H2 version.

3. Citroen Relay, FIAT Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Toyota Proace Max, Vauxhall Movano - 1500kg

With their identical dimensions, interiors and engines, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Stellantis (+Toyota) quintet also post exactly the same payload capacity figures across its line-ups.

At 3.5-tonnes, it is the base trim level for each of the five models – the L2 H1 – that offers the highest payload capacity of 1500kg.

It should be noted that not all large vans offer an L2 H1 version in their ranges – for instance, the smallest Ford Transit is L2 H2 – but if heavy weight is more of a priority than load space, then the entry-level Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Boxer, FIAT Ducato, Toyota Proace Max and Vauxhall Movano paired with the 140bhp diesel engine and an automatic gearbox should suffice.

2. Renault Master - 1625kg

The brand-new Renault Master sets a new standard for shedding weight and placing greater emphasis on aerodynamics to be the most frugal large van on the market, but this hasn’t come at the expense of payload.

In fact, the new Master is very close to taking the top step here with the MM35 (MWB 3500kg GVW) version able to max out with a 1625kg useable payload.

1. Ford Transit - 1646kg

The original and apparently still the best, the Ford Transit offers the most generous payload capacity at 3.5-tonnes at 1646kg.

This is the maximum payload for 350 trim Transits in the range and occurs on the L3 H3 rear-wheel drive variant.

It is worth noting that this is very dependent on the specific trim and engine combination you go for as otherwise the Transit’s payload range is quite variable.

However, if 1646kg is not enough then there are 3.9-tonne, 4.2-tonne and 5.0-tonne versions of the Transit available that can carry much more.