The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagon, is renowned for its ruggedness and off-road prowess. However, a particular model from 1995, the 29GD/34, has raised eyebrows due to its unusually high advertised tare weight. A listing for a batch of ex-Singapore Army 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon 29GD/34 vehicles, described as cab chassis “utes,” specifies a tare weight of 4,200 kg (9,260 pounds). This figure seems excessively high, especially when compared to other G-Class models of the era.
To put this into perspective, the listing itself, from a New Zealand auction site, points out the regulatory implications of such a weight, noting that it necessitates a more stringent Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspection rather than a standard Warrant of Fitness (WoF). This weight places the 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 29GD/34 into a category typically reserved for much larger vehicles, even approaching Unimog territory.
This begs the question: what could account for such a substantial tare weight in a 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 29GD/34? Tare weight, as defined by Wikipedia, is the weight of an empty vehicle, excluding any payload. The original article author contrasts this with their own 1982 280GE LWB, which has a curb weight of 2065 kg and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 2800 kg. Even considering that tare weight might include a small amount of fuel, the discrepancy is enormous. The 29GD/34’s advertised tare weight is double that of the older, steel-bodied 280GE, despite the former featuring a flatbed and fabric roof, which would typically reduce weight.
Furthermore, the high tare weight raises questions about the vehicle’s design and intended use. If the 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 29GD/34 truly has a 4,200 kg tare weight, how could its GVWR be realistically higher? The author of the original post rightly wonders if this could be attributed to different springs, tires, or if it’s simply an error in the advertised specifications. Is it possible to upgrade a lighter G-Class, like the 280GE, to such a heavy tare weight?
Without further detailed specifications or official documentation for these ex-Singapore Army 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 29GD/34 models, the 4,200 kg tare weight remains an enigma. It is crucial to verify this information and understand the potential modifications or configurations that might lead to such a significant increase in unladen weight compared to standard 1995 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles. Further investigation into the specific military applications and any added armor or equipment could shed light on this weight discrepancy.
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