Towing Capacity

[SeaComms]

We tow 3.3t van with a 2017 and yes it's a juggling act. We have 2 people at 140kg total, Jeep has 50kg side steps and that's it. We use an Anderson WDH and weights are just within spec. Currently about to hit 12 months on the road!
Ours is an Essential, made by the same company as Design RV



Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

[SouthernComfort]

Max. GCM on the 2013 is 6449kg. I'd expect the 2012 would be the same.

[SeaComms]

Originally Posted by SouthernComfort

Max. GCM on the 2013 is 6449kg. I'd expect the 2012 would be the same.

Actually that's an interesting figure, as it is the max vehicle GVM plus the max towing capacity. In about 2016 they changed to what is should be, max GVM plus max GTM. GTM is the gross Trailer Mass, which excludes ball weight.

The reason this was changed: for a 3500kg trailer, the recognised recommended ball weight is 10% or 350kg. This 350kg has to be accounted for in the tow vehicle GVM, meaning you only have around 250kg payload (that includes people, fuel, accessories and luggage - or in other words 2 people and a full tank). Since max towing is 3500, take out the ball weight as its already counted in the tow vehicle and you are left with 3150kg for the trailer on its own wheels.

Add the GTM 3150 to the GVM 2949 and you have 6099.

So in reality, yes your plate might say 6449, but the only way you can get there is a full vehicle at 2949, a full van at 3500 and 0kg ball weight. Since 0kg ball weight is not possible, 6449 GVM is also not possible.

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

[SouthernComfort]

Absolutely correct, pity the 'book' that people live by doesn't reflect this reality.

[OLMATE]

You got a lovely looking set up there Sea Comms, what speed do you normally sit on out on the open road ?
Also how to you find the Anderson WDH ?

[drover]

Originally Posted by SouthernComfort

Max. GCM on the 2013 is 6449kg. I'd expect the 2012 would be the same.

Over the last week I have searched for a definitive answer to this, not just my maths................................. In 2017 the class for the WK2 was changed to MC from MA and it seems the stated GCM is noted at 6099kg, this is retrospective so all JGC are now MC, passenger carrying 4x4, this also means that like most other 3.5 t tow capacity vehicles they really cant unless the vehicle is empty.....

Kerb mass 2302kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 2949kg

Gross Combined Mass 6099kg

Towing capacity 3500kg

Towball (max) 350kg

Even by the old method as you load your tug up the tow capacity drops down so the GCM of 6.5t is just a dream.


My JGC on the scales in its town load with full tank, 2 bums is at 2.6t so add tow ball and bugga all left till GVM..simple maths and GVM will get you every time... The Scaly will go by whats on his scale and chart .... he will even look at axle weights which can be over even if your GVM or GCM is okay...

[Jeeper6]

Exactly...GCM is just that..."Gross Combination Mass". The weight of the whole unit in total as a whole.

If the manufacturer GCM is stated as 6449kg that is it full stop...includes, what ever is being towed in total as well as the towing vehicle in total with bodies, fuel, down to the tool box in the back and what ever else you are carrying.

drover you have a background in road transport as have I, 48 years for me, took my first loaded truck to Paraburdoo in WA in 1974. Axle weights we know are also a very important aspect to be aware of. You can be a few tonnes under GCM, but well over on an axle.
Though much of this level of awareness is lost on the average Joe trundling down the road with the van in tow filled to the gunnels with kids, bikes, food and drinks.
i don't think the scalies if were pulling car / caravans over for weighing would be as critical on axle weights as they are with trucks. They wouldn't have the time or inclination to be looking through a myriad of trailer axles specs etc. Though if way over to the point of affecting braking steering or stability i am sure they would take some action.
Though they would take a peek at the compliance plate and compare to the actual weight.

Unlike truck suspension where a couple of tonnes of overloading on an acle isn't obvious until a set of scales are slid under each axle.

Though caravan axle capacities are a bit vague at best unless going back to manufacturer axle specifications, wheel bearing capacities, tyre load rating etc.
My van has an ATM of 2655kg, the "Axle Group Load Capacity" is 2667kg according to the (Jayco) specifications. (Yet that could be increased on request...go figure)
With the tug I imagine the manufacturer GVM will be based on the sum of the actual axle load ratings.

That said, I have never been able to locate the actual axle capacities of the MB or ZF diffs / axles which ever they are fitted to the WK2.
Maybe I should do some more research unless anyone knows?