22/02/2022
WHAT THE SALESPERSON DOESN’T TELL YOU AND MANY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR.
There is still some confusion of what real life fact and social and advertising media fiction is.
With the ACCC enquiry on Caravan sales, it might be timely to share this article I wrote on how people can easily be misled by the sales hype around caravan tow vehicles. We do not always get all the information unless we do our own research.
I have used the popular dual cab utes as an example.
Many caravanners have purchased a dual cab ute to tow a caravan - me included.
While brands and models vary, most are similar in load and towing capacity. The introduction of the American utes has however, opened the field slightly in recent years but are not immune to the sales hype.
WHAT YOU MAY BE TOLD IS……..
The vehicle has a 3.5 t towing capacity. Look at this glossy brochure picture and the TV adds…..
However, the typical Japanese style dual cab ute on the roads towing a caravan will typically have a GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) of approx. 3,200 kgs and a GCM (Gross Combined Mass) of 6,000kgs. (approx.)
So, what does that mean.
It simply means that you cannot legally load your ute to an extent where the ute itself, and the load it is carrying can exceed 3,200kgs as defined by the manufacturers GVM. (Includes driver and passengers)
Your vehicle will be overloaded, unroadworthy and insurance voided if you do.
Surely you were told that by the salesperson???
It also means that you cannot tow any trailer or caravan so that the combined weight (GCM) of the loaded ute, driver, passengers, all accessories including canopy, bulbar, tow hitch etc, AND towed trailer / caravan combined weigh is more than 6,000kg, the GCM weight defined by the manufacturer.
The kerb weight of these utes is typically around 2,200kgs. (approx.) This gives a total load capacity of approx. 1,000kgs. (3,200 GVM minus 2,200 kerb weight equals 1,000) More than adequate for most jobs, except towing.
Note: - Kerb weight includes a full tank of fuel. Tare weight includes only 10 lt of fuel, so we need to use the more realistic Kerb weight, or you will run out of fuel very quickly.
NOW WHAT ARE YOU NOT BEING TOLD BY THE SALESPERSON?
THIS IS WHERE WE GET INTO THE MARKETING HYPE THAT THE SALESPEOPLE DON’T LIKE TO TELL YOU.
These utes are marketed as being able to tow a caravan / boat / horse float up to 3,500kg, and yes, they can - officially. However, there is usually no mention of other load limits like the often-forgotten Gross Combined Mass. {GCM}
Safe towing practice recommends the tow vehicle should always be heavier than any ‘Pig’ trailer that it is towing. So, a 3,200 GVM tow vehicle shouldn’t tow a 3,500kg trailer, but let’s look past this safety point.
The caravans of this weight should also typically have approx. 350kgs of weight on the tow ball to help ensure good and safe towing practice.
If the Gross Combined Weight (GCM) is 6,000 kgs and you are towing a caravan weighing 3,500kgs then that only leaves 2,500kgs for the total weight of the ute, driver, passengers, accessories, and its load. (6,000 GCM minus 3,500 van weight equals 2,500 left over in the GCM)
Adjust the figures for the weight of your caravan.
THEREFORE: - while towing a large caravan you can only load your ute so that the total weight of the fully loaded ute, all accessories, camping gear, recovery gear etc. driver and all passengers does not exceed the remaining GVM, in this case 2,500kgs.
The legally allowed weight of the ute has now dropped from 3,200kgs to 2,500 kgs a reduction of 700 kgs less load allowed in the ute. (adjust the figures for your own caravan weight etc.)
As the utes actual weight (Kerb Weight) will remain the same, then the reduction in allowed ute weight MUST come off the load that you put in it. In this case the 1,000kg load capacity has shrunk to just 300kg. (1,000 less a 700 kg loss of GCM allowance equals 300)
IN SUMMARY a 2,200 kg (kerb weight) ute will have only 300kgs left for people, all accessories, canopy, added extras (2,200 plus 300 equals 2,500) and load to tow a 3,500kg caravan and leave NO allowance for safety to stay under the 6,000kg manufacturers legally binding GCM. (2,500 plus 3,500 equals 6,000)
Towing a 2,800kg caravan will leave 3,200 kgs left or, the original GVM allowed for the ute, but with no safety margin. The heavier the van, the less in the ute and vice versa.
The van weight when towed will reduce by 350kgs (or actual tow ball weight) as the tow ball weight is attached to the vehicle tow ball. This transfers weight from the towed caravan onto the load of the ute which has a neutral effect on the GCM weight but adds 350kgs to the load of the ute, so it also needs to be factored in when weighing the utes actual GVM.
REMEMBER: - the 'load' weight includes all driver and passengers, the bull bar, roof racks, and do not forget the f/glass canopy, drawers, and any other accessories. Your fridge, booze, tools, and recovery gear are also load.
These utes have a large tray, and it is extremely easy to see the big space and fill it with ‘stuff’ and easily overload your vehicle.
Overloaded vehicles are unsafe, unroadworthy and your vehicle insurance will exclude cover for both unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles. Read your insurance policy fine print.
The dual cab utes can be a great and very popular vehicle, however, like any vehicle they all have limitations on load carrying capacity. In this case it can be deceptive if you do not do your homework.
All vehicles have different load and towing capacities. This is just one example of how the advertising hype is often not realistic in the real world.
Please do your sums and get you rig weighed to help ensure that your insurance will pay out in the event of an accident.
Follow us on Facebook and check out the web site for more safe towing advice.
Stay safe everyone.
Cheers
Ken Wilson
