Nissan NV3500 SRW capacity

[booster]

I was our running errands the other day and got passed by a Nissan NV3500 high roof van. The first impression was that it is one of the few one ton models still running around on single rear wheels. The second impression was that the tires and wheels looked bigger than the old standard sizes used on the Chevy, Ford, and Dodge 3500 models.


When I got home, I looked at the specs and found it uses 7.5" wide 17" wheels with 245-75-17 tires. Those tires rate at 3195# apiece compared to 3040# for the 245-75-16 we are all used to. The GVWR is adjusted by the same amount and rates at 9900#, so kind of a sweet spot just under the 10K# rules.


I am a bit surprised we haven't seen more of them used by the tradesman like plumbers and electricians who like the single wheels for traction in construction sites and could also use the extra load capacity. The switch may not happen until the Chevy Express goes away completely.



Of course and extra 300# load capacity wouldn't hurt in a class b either.


Aside from them being butt ugly in the front roof, there must be some other reasons that nobody is converting them, but maybe some of the other manufacturers could take some clues about the single wheels and tire/wheel sizes.

[Boxster1971]

They look like something designed by a cartoon artist. [emoji6]

[booster]

Or a cab over engine van that went under a low bridge.

[goreds2]

I am a Nissan guy. I would consider this if going to do a build. Awesome engines. I currently have a 2001 Nissan Frontier I bought new and has 376,000 miles on it so yeah that van build would last me a lifetime. It would be stealth for sure and not ugly.

[booster]

Originally Posted by goreds2

I am a Nissan guy. I would consider this if going to do a build. Awesome engines. I currently have a 2001 Nissan Frontier I bought new and has 376,000 miles on it so yeah that van build would last me a lifetime. It would be stealth for sure and not ugly.

And those were all gas engines, IIRC. Which size do you have?

[BBQ]

.

There are always risks and inconveniences when buying an oddball.

. . . service, cost of parts, availability of parts . . . not to mention resale value.

[goreds2]

Originally Posted by booster

And those were all gas engines, IIRC. Which size do you have?

My 2001 Nissan Frontier with 376,000 miles is a V6 3.3 litre - Automatic/4 wheel drive.

[MsNomer]

Booster, could you expand on this: "The first impression was that it is one of the few one ton models still running around on single rear wheels."

I don't know beans about dual wheels, but single wheeled PM's are rated for nearly two tons.

[booster]

Originally Posted by MsNomer

Booster, could you expand on this: "The first impression was that it is one of the few one ton models still running around on single rear wheels."

I don't know beans about dual wheels, but single wheeled PM's are rated for nearly two tons.

My initial observations had nothing to do with load capacity, just that it was a 1 ton van with big single wheels, and looked to be rear drive.


A quick look at specs show that compared to even the venerable Chevy Express, it is more than holds it own. I will link specs at the end.


375 hp 387ft-lbs torque 5.6L V8 with rear drive and a seven speed automatic.


9900# gross weight with "up to 9000# towing" They didn't define the *


3560# cargo capacity


Body on frame construction, which is one of the reasons the towing is fairly high.


This is pretty much an updated version of the age old style American van, but with a high roof. I mention contractors and tradesman because they like rear drive and single wheels for towing and traction in construction areas. I have no idea what worts it has for class b use, but spec wise it looks very competitive, especially for power and towing.


Here are the Promaster specs


https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/promaster/specs


And the NV3500 Nissan


https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/c...are-specs.html


And the Chevy Express no cargo capacity listed


https://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/ex...imensions.html

[BBQ]

.

This is a long video,
but this DIY Class B RV is really intriguing.
Lee is an amazing guy to listen to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUKc1TGS-bU

[BBQ]

.

A shorter take

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPrBDZ2pr3M

[goreds2]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

A shorter take

Sweet!! Too cool.

[Chayelle]

Originally Posted by booster

I am a bit surprised we haven't seen more of them used by the tradesman like plumbers and electricians who like the single wheels for traction in construction sites and could also use the extra load capacity. The switch may not happen until the Chevy Express goes away completely.


Your powers of observation seem to be lacking. Even some delivery companies are now using these vans.


Aside from them being butt ugly in the front roof, there must be some other reasons that nobody is converting them...

Some of us do not consider them to be ugly, thank you. And there are now getting to be a lot of DIY conversions.

Leg room for both passenger & driver quite exceeds the Ford E series and Chevy vans.

We have bunk beds, shower, cabinets, toilet, sink counter, two Whynter refrig/frzrs, 400 watts of solar panels, and 3/ 235 amp hour batteries...plus "stuff"...

We love this van

[booster]

I have seen the Nissan delivery vans, they have been around here for while at a couple of the smaller package delivery companies. It is the tradesman, as mentioned, that I am surprised aren't using more of them, as they seem well suited to their needs.


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we all get to have an opinion on that .

[BBQ]

.

Roadtrek used it briefly

[Edit] Oops... this is a NV2500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFDB5ES6qZ8

[VocalVirgo]

Originally Posted by booster

My initial observations had nothing to do with load capacity, just that it was a 1 ton van with big single wheels, and looked to be rear drive.


A quick look at specs show that compared to even the venerable Chevy Express, it is more than holds it own. I will link specs at the end.


375 hp 387ft-lbs torque 5.6L V8 with rear drive and a seven speed automatic.


9900# gross weight with "up to 9000# towing" They didn't define the *


3560# cargo capacity


Body on frame construction, which is one of the reasons the towing is fairly high.


This is pretty much an updated version of the age old style American van, but with a high roof. I mention contractors and tradesman because they like rear drive and single wheels for towing and traction in construction areas. I have no idea what worts it has for class b use, but spec wise it looks very competitive, especially for power and towing.


Here are the Promaster specs


https://www.caranddriver.com/ram/promaster/specs


And the NV3500 Nissan


https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/c...are-specs.html


And the Chevy Express no cargo capacity listed


https://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/ex...imensions.html

ProMaster specs just went up for 2019. Well over 4000lb payload, and 6800lb towing capacity. FWD, 3.6L V6 is the same 280\260 and gets 22MPG (in my van with over 2000lb payload). The Nissan is great- V6 or V8, but MPG is horrendous. And the tall roof is embarrassing to look at, lol.