Complete guide to heavy towing (GVM, GCM & ATM explained) | Auto Expert John Cadogan

This is the complete guide to heavy towing with a 4X4 wagon like a Landcruiser or a 4X4 ute like a Ranger.

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In this report: The definitions and what they mean:

* Tare weight
* Kerb weight
* GVM - gross vehicle mass
* ATM - aggregate trailer mass
* Towball download
* GCM - gross combination mass
* Payload capacity

I also discuss the towing 'arms race' in which people think it's OK to tow a 3500kg trailer with a vehicle that weights 2500kg (ish) - and this is often a very bad idea, in my view.

I'll talk you through the payload limitations in the common vehicles and also discuss how you can actually measure your critical weights using a public weighbridge, to ensure you're not driving overloaded - which has important safety, legal and insurance implications.

Also discussed: GVM upgrades and warranty, and the effect of adding accessories on your payload capacity.

[RobB_VKES]

Thankyou John. The trinity of videos on towing should be required viewing by every grey nomad and 4X4 junky. If it were up to me, towing a trailer would require an examinable endorsement on the basic drivers licence.

[brendancarter]

to play it safe i will now leave my kids at home when we go camping thanks john peace at last!

[captainbarnicle]

Every husband that’s buying a camper trailer and has a wife in his ear saying I want a 2.5t-3.5t caravan with toilet shower and indoor kitchen and indoor lounge room needs to be sat down, tied to a chair and made to watch this!!

[adamheapy]

Go down to any caravan park on the east coast and the LC200 is the rig of choice. Most are sporting the ARB catalogue of parts and ALL blindly over weight. HOPEFULLY this gets shared amongst the grey nomad fraternity. Great episode JC

[gallis]

Finding this information explained in a format easy to understand has been almost impossible.
Thanks John, extremely valuable.

[karlbartelt]

Thanks John, all my late night searches for ATM videos have giving me quite a different perspective on load displacement, your detailed explaination is far more fitting for the handing of my big loads.

[peterferguson]

Good presentation. There is one additional engineering constraint that most seem to ignore and that is maximum allowable axle loads, particularly rear axle. These are incredibly easy to overload and I rarely hear anyone reference them.

[skyline]

This is my favourite AND in my view the most important video John has made, and to think he did this for free. Keep it up John, this video will literally save lives.

[petekay]

After watching some of John's videos I ended up buying an 1800kg ATM caravan, 16 foot with ensuite etc etc, pulled by my 2017 Pajero. Well within all limits. It's a nice feelng knowing that my safety margin is bigger than all our friends Taj Mahals😅. Many thanks John👍

[longfieldcommercials]

You don’t take bollocks all the time, a very good, informed show, thanks.

[DiHandley]

So I’ve just watched this for a SECOND TIME! All your videos are great but this is one of the best so far. It’s relevant to us because we are thinking about buying a caravan shortly. We are also considering a fifth wheeler but I imagine that the facts still hold for that. Once again a brilliant video. Many thanks John. 👍

[johndoherty]

Your best explanation ever. Well done.
Recently looking to buy an SUV that can tow a van of 2T will a ball weight of 180kg I found that only really the expensive euro SUVs would meet my needs. I previously had a Touareg 180 which was great but with a replacement starting at $105k decided to sell the van and just buy a car (loving the Stinger).
With the huge caravan market in Australia I don’t get why manufacturers are not appropriately meeting the market. Or maybe I do, they just don’t want to be liable. Also when you ask a car salesman, they are totally clueless and will tell you it can do what you are asking for, even though it can’t.

[mutualbeard]

Thanks John. Engineering facts beats "common sense" any day.

[billroach]

With regard to the cost of 400 nights accommodation compared to the outlay for an expensive caravan....you're forgetting that the caravan will have a excellent resale value, so the net cost is much less than spending 400 nights (WITH THE MASSES) in various motels. Some of us like to get away from the crowds.


On the subject of the tow vehicle choice, I agree with you 100%. I own a 3, 500 ATM Bushtracker and tow it with a Chev Silverado with a GVM of 5, 171kg and a GCM (allowable) of 11, 113kg. My actual GCM is around 8, 250kg.


Apparently around 80% of these Bushtrackers are owned/towed by people with 200 series Landcruisers and on the occasions that I've voiced my concerns (along the lines of your video) I get verbally walloped by all of those owners. A typical response is along these lines: "I've been towing this set-up for thousands of kilometers and never had an issue" etc. I say they've just been lucky.

[stendecstretcher]

I took your advice a while ago John. Bought a Landcruiser and tow a caravan only weighing 1.6 tonne fully loaded. LC only carrying 200 kg max. Job done.

[jacobwhittaker]

As a Murican! born dude I find these videos very informative even thought they're upside down and in metric.

[MiniLuv-]

"You aren't getting away from it all, you are taking it all with you" - Classic Cardogan!

[jennikesich]

Thanks John. GVM’s have been chasing ATM’s and GCM’s around in my head for weeks. Thank you for explaining it all to a novice like me. You’re my hero. You rock.

[andrewhallett-patterson]

Thank you John. Advanced physics explained in simple form. This is why the mining companies explicitly test, re engineer and retest with senior engineers, both company and specialist consultants, manufactors, predominantly Toyota and Volvo, and NATA labs, to produce vehicles engineered specifically for site use. Clear labeling of all towable plant, stating GVM, GCM and ATM, clear towing limitations attached to the inside windscreen, and 4 days of intensive onsite training, theory in classroom with practical onsite, ensures overloading and stupid decisions, with the threat of instant dismissial, are minimal. But what you take away from all this is everyday implementation of knowledge. And if you need to exceed the capacity of your vehicle, either by towing or carrying capacity...buy a truck !!! 👍👍🇦🇺 Oh, and I can fully recommend an ex military Unimog as the ultimate off-road vehicle.

[warrenburke]

The best explained video on weight related matters. I’ve watched that many and this is hands down the best! Thank you