Unfortunately, the often-publicised Towing Capacity of vehicles is not necessarily a practical reality. To tow up to the advertised tow capacity limit, you must sacrifice the payload of your vehicle.
For example, I am going to base figures using a dual cab ute:
Without towing:
GVM 2950kg – Tare 2110kg = 840kg payload.
Add a 3500kg trailer:
GCM 6000kg – Tare 2110kg – towing capacity 3500kg = 390kg payload.
That payload needs to cater for occupants, luggage, after market vehicle accessories and fuel.
390kg does not seem too bad until we start doing the maths on the payload.
Family of four 250kg
Fuel 40kg
Bull bar 50kg
Towbar 50kg
Roof racks 25kg
Personal items (tablets, cameras, snacks, drinks) 10kg
Oops! That is a total of 425kg. And that is not including other common items such as kids’ bikes, tools, car fridge, second battery, light bars, recovery gear, kayak and so on.
