26/08/2022
Confused about GVM and GCM? Follow this page. Ken knows his stuff.
LANDCRUISER 200 SERIES - LIKE ALL VEHICLES HAS ITS LIMITS TOO.
Following on from my previous article on the dual cab utes, we look at the Landcruiser and how it shapes up for the ultimate tow vehicle that many believe it may be.
With a new 200 Series now being unavailable and the newer 300 Series on hold for an unknown time due to the unavailability of some computer chips, more people are looking at other alternatives.
The figures may be different for other vehicles but the sums will be the same.
The Landcriuser 200 Series would be one of the most popular caravan tow vehicles, and yes I have one, BUT they are often very overloaded, unroadworthy and therefore uninsured. Something you may not realize until you try and make a claim.
HERE IS WHY .....
Firstly, let’s look at a tow vehicle’s manual and compliance plate, for the following weights.
Let’s start with the basics.
GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) This is the maximum operating weight of the vehicle. This will include all fluids, fuel, driver, passengers, bull bar, tow hitch, accessories, drawers, all cargo, including that boat on the roof etc. AND the tow ball download weight from your caravan.
In short, the total allowed weight on the vehicles wheels when it is on the road.
TARE WEIGHT This is the weight of your basic vehicle as it came out of the factory with 10 litres of fuel.
KERB WEIGHT This is the same as Tare Weight but with a full tank of fuel and easier figure to use. A vital difference with the large cruiser fuel capacity of over 100kgs when full.
If you subtract the Kerb weight from the GVM that will give you the maximum permissible load that this vehicle can legally carry.
For example: - Lets do a quick internet search of a popular tow vehicle we can all relate to, a Landcruiser GXL turbo diesel. All weights are approximate and will vary depending on personal choices and this Landcruiser chosen at random.
A search shows that the Landcruiser 200 GXL turbo diesel has a GVM of 3,350 kg less the Kerb weight of 2,740 kg will mean that vehicle can legally carry a load of 610 kg. (3,350 – 2,740 = 610)
Now, here is where it gets personal. What do you and your partner and any passengers weigh? Let’s say we are all fit and healthy and the combined weight of mum and dad is 170kg.
No discussion on who makes up the larger part of the randomly chosen weight please.
So, 610 kg load available less 170 kg leaves 440 kg for cargo.
Or does it?
Now with 440 kg of load weight, let’s allow for the metal bull bar at 80 kg, a camping fridge with a slab of beer in it at approx. 50 kg. Our 440 kg of cargo is now 440 – 80 – 50 = 310 kg of cargo allowed.
We still haven’t packed any camping gear, cloths, food, recovery gear, spare fuel or water. We haven’t allowed for that winch in the 80 kg bull bar nor the side steps, roof racks, long range fuel tanks and any other accessories or items.
Put 2 other people as passengers at 170 kg? in the car and you will be almost right on the maximum limit of weight you can carry in the vehicle.
Have I missed anything? Maybe we would like to put a tinny on the roof and outboard motor in the back at another 150 kg. Suddenly we are overweight.
The sad thing is we have left the caravan behind.
The Landcruiser is a popular tow vehicle and rightly so. They are great when used properly and boast a 3,500 kg towing capacity and 350 kg tow ball load and loads of power from the V8 Diesel.
Actual van weights vary on make and model you are towing.
So the actual tow ball weight of the caravan under tow needs to be included in the 610kg load limit.
Load limit of 610kgs less a caravan tow ball weight of 310kgs only leaves 300kgs for driver, passenger, all the before mentioned accessories and additional load like the fridge and camping gear.
I would struggle to believe that the Landcruisers with a heavy tow ball weight van (say 310kgs) in tow would be legal with 170kgs allowance for driver and passenger as it only leaves 130kgs of the 610kgs for all the after-market accessories, fridge and camping gear etc.,. yet alone a boat, boat rack, fuel and outboard.
In the above example with a large caravan in tow we have a vehicle which is now very overweight and very illegal and dangerous to drive.
Apart from a potential fine, please also have a read of your insurance policy on the van and tow vehicle.
Most will not cover an overloaded vehicle nor an unroadworthy vehicle - a double whammy.
All vehicles have limits.
I have not done this example to scare anyone, only to help educate on what to look for when buying and loading a vehicle especially when using it to tow a large caravan.
All vehicles are different, and all owners are different. Some carry 3 kitchen sinks and others carry a plastic wash up bucket instead.
Weigh the stuff in your vehicle to see what you can do without.
Better still, employ a mobile scales company to come and weight your fully loaded vehicle and caravan.
They weigh each wheel and tow ball so you can see where the weight actually is.
Knowledge is power.
Think about the lives of your family and the other innocent people driving towards you at highway speeds. Hopefully they are driving a road worthy and insured vehicle.
More information on weights and safe towing practices on the Truck Friendly web site and page.
www.truckfriendly.com.au
Cheers
Ken Wilson
