Quote:
Originally Posted by kx steve
So can a 200 series can only carry 610kg payload
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I've been looking into this over the last few weeks as I'm looking for a 4WD that can tow a van which I expect to be around 3T with a ball weight of around 250kg. It's certainly been an eye opener when you start to look into it.
Of all of the main wagons, the new Patrol has the highest payload (close to 800Kg). All of the others (JGC, Disco, 200 Series) are generally between 600kg & 700kg (model dependant). When you start running the numbers that's just not enough if you need your 4WD to be a jack of all trades. For grey nomads who have no kids and no intention of going off road so don't need bull bars, sliders etc it's not too bad, but if you want to use your 4WD off road and add bull bars, sliders, bash plates (in some cases), with family and possibly a fridge in the back then in most cases you're already overloaded once you start towing. The same would be said if you were packing for a solo (i.e. no caravan) camping trip. You can take the load, the family, or the accessories, possibly 2 of the 3, but certainly not all 3.
The only vehicles I see that can do it are utes. Looking at the Ranger and they have 900-1000kg payload (model dependant) which is better, but again, once you start running the numbers even that doesn't leave a lot in reserve when packed up with the family. Landcruiser ute has higher load ratings but I don't want to pay that much and don't want a manual.
So when you compare the JK with a 400kg payload it certainly means that (at least legally) they are a weekend trip type vehicle only and aren't suitable for bigger trips. That's not to say that they're not physically capable of it (as I'm sure they are) but I'm just commenting in a legal sense. The family can account for half of that payload. Bar and side steps another 100kg (even without a winch). Bigger tyres and a new rear bar and you're at the max already without packing the fridge, the food, the recovery gear, tools, roof rack, awning, second spare, extra fuel,..........and everything else that we'd potentially pack on/in the vehicle for an extended trip. And if you want to tow a trailer then you basically can't pack anything inside the JK at all. The family, the trailer (obviously a smaller trailer and not the 3T van I mentioned before) and maybe a bull bar and side steps and you're loaded to the max.
It's certainly been interesting looking into this and makes you realise that a lot of the guys you see touring with a full compliment of bar work, roof racks loaded 2 feet high with stuff and the insides stuffed full with everything else (with or without vans in tow) must be overloaded, and not just by a little bit.