Caravan Tow Weights Explained - How much does our setup weigh?

#caravan #towing #4x4

Caravan and vehicle tow weights can be confusing! We have broken it down into layman's terms and explain our own dilemma when choosing a tow vehicle and trying to comply with weights.
We then put our 79 series Landcruiser and 18ft KEDRON off road caravan over the scales with a mobile weight check company to give you a real life example. Watch the full video to see exactly what our weights were in all seven categories and ultimately find out if we were under or over our weights!

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[dalecaddaye]

Loved your video. It's great to see people caring about their weights. As a 40 year career truck driver who now caravans, I was paranoid about weights so bought a 2020 79 series single cab as it has 3400 GVM (1500/2300 kg axle cap.) and 6900 GCM. I have a soft canopy, no dual battery, no fridge etc in the back and still go 3200 kg (1230/1970 kg loaded axle weights) with a 290 kg ball weight. So many people seem to ignore the legalities and it won't be long before all those truck weighbridges start displaying "All Caravans Must Enter" signs to help the government pay some bills. Well done. PS - I absolutely love my 79 too. After driving Kenworths and Macks most of my working life, the 79 is luxury.

[mickburns]

Well done. I’m continually amazed when at a caravan park and I watch the combinations driving in. Not only way, way over but, so often not even towing mirrors. Scares the hell out of me after driving trucks for many years. 😊

[dougneville]

Thanks guy, s well explained, weights are sometimes the last thing on people's minds when going
on holiday's.👍🏾

[PeterN]

Great video, very clear with your explanations and certainly learnt a couple of things watching this video.

[indigothedog]

You guys a smashing it. That reminds me I need to get the 79 weighed before I start throwing in all the camping gear.

[therealmrnobody]

Great video for educating those who do not know, which i would imagine are many, well done.

[robertarmbruster]

Another really good video. You guys have a good grasp of the weight debacle, so much so you are able to impart that knowledge to us people. Very impressive Hayley and Brad, what a team.

[williamdavis]

Absolutely superb video guys. Would have to be the most informative video we have seen. We went through the same with our RC Colorado and our hybrid offroad van. Our 2900kg gvm was exceeded by 144kg. when weighed by a mobile weighing service in Adelaide. Our ute and van were fully loaded and having 3 x 100AH agm batteries and my pullout RV steel tool drawers in the ute where the major problem. Removing the metal draws and replacing the AGM batteries with a 200AH lithium system made our set up legal. Keep up the great presentations 👏 🙌 👍

[robyndehavilland]

What a great resource to share, and you explained it well and with confidence. See you on K’gari for next weeks video, been looking forward to that one😀

[paulello]

Excellent stuff guys, super good info! (love the weigh sheets). Been struggling to understood all this, but your content sorted it for me 👍

[mrandmrsmeier]

Guys thank you so much for this great informative content. We are now going g to re assess our car and caravan. Valuable information and you guys nailed the facts. We are on the Gold Coast so will be using John for our future weigh in 🙏🏻💯

[matthewcarter]

Great job guys, well explained, great tips and good teamwork on the video!👍

[Livedaybyday]

Thank you for that information. As a potential newbie this helps and will continue to research

[dougalmichie]

Great video. I've watched it a few times. Thank you. My set up is similar - LC79 dual cab.
I find rear axle weight is the trickiest one... especially once you hitch a heavy van. Wondering... what was your rear axle weight once the caravan was hitched? Thanks again

[mickpocock]

Something isn’t adding up here from what I can see. Correct me if I’m wrong but the weigh you got done before you bought the ute shows 1483kg rear axle load which I would assume is with an empty canopy (and only 15% fuel in the main tank as stated). Then when you got the ute weighed by EZI-WEIGH it shows 1861kg with both of you in the vehicle, plus a canopy full of gear and I’d assume full fuel tanks. Then add the 318kg of ball weight and you are over on your rear axle loading. This is before you allow the extra weight the 318kg adds to your rear axle as it’s added at least a metre behind the axle. I estimate you could be over your rear axle loading by about 140kgs.

[carolinedickason]

Newbie question - what happens if you drive up to a weigh station, and you're over the allowed weight. Are you allowed to then drive off as is, to fix perhaps when you get home, or do you need to fix it / unload then and there?

[RealHooksy]

In simple terms, regardless of all of the calculations you should NEVER tow a trailer (caravan) which is heavier than the vehicle you are towing it with, even it tick all of the other boxes.
You don’t want the tail wagging the dog.
IE: if your car weighs 3 tonnes don’t tow anything heavier than 3 tonnes, even if it technically complies.

[placestosea]

How close to your maximum rear axle weight are you? It's an interesting topic.

[michealplater]

You should be more concerned about being over car/caravan weights, not for vehicle damage/insurance, but if you have an accident and the Police get involved. You could end in jail.

[pata]

Guys check the new federal agreement between the states to increase GCM Queensland is dragging it feet on post upgrade