SURPRISINGLY ILLEGAL RIGS
The race is on! Vehicle manufacturers are under pressure from consumers and competitors to continually increase the weights their vehicles can carry. Unfortunately, the numbers in the brochure, while somewhat accurate, can also be misleading and unless you have accurate information and calculations on everything you add to your vehicle, it can be quite easy and common to be overweight which means your vehicle is illegal and uninsured. In fact, in a 2022 road-side police compliance and education program, over 70% of rigs with caravans were found to be illegal.
Here, I've prepared some examples for you, so you can get an idea.
Note: The weights below are in kg. Payloads are a combination of exact figures and estimates and averages that will vary on a case by case basis and should not be used to assess the suitability of your vehicle. Nothing is better than having your vehicle weighed! The images used here are for illustration purposes and may vary from the description.
2018 Ford Ranger
Moderate Touring Set Up
Not Towing
Yes, you read that correctly. The Ford Ranger is the highest selling car in Australia and boasts a large utility tray and towing capacity of 3.5T, but with a range of modrate but common accessories and a full family, it can't legally tow at all! In fact, in the example below, there wasn't even enough payload for the stove, pots and pans, gas bottle, swags, kayaks or fishing gear.
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Specs:
2018 Ford Ranger FX4 Dual Cab
Kerb Weight: 2202kg
GVM: 3200kg
Towing Capacity: 3500kg
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Example Final Weight: 3229kg
Example Result: 29kg over GVM
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Example Payload:
Bullbar - Steel Hooped
Side Bars and Steps
Winch
Spotlights
Towbar
Bash Plates
2" tyre increase
Ute canopy - fibreglass
Roof rack - aluminium
Tools
Compressor
Drawers - Double
Fridge and Food - 50L
Auxillary Battery - AGM
2 Adults, 1 Teen, 1 Child + Luggage
2013 Mitsubishi Pajero
Small Caravan
Nothing Else
The Mitsubishi Pajero is known as a reliable workhorse in the mid-size 4x4 space. It's not uncommon to see these pulling big vans. At first, it appears that this rig completely empty with only the driver in it and pulling a rather small caravan that's only half loaded, is completely legal. However, in the fine print, if you're towing over 2500kg, the towball rating drops from 250kg to just 180kg.
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Specs:
2014 Mitsubishi Pajero VR-X
GVM: 3030kg
Towing Capacity: 3000kg
Towball Rating: 250kg
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2023 Kakoda Cobber 2
17'2" Caravan
ATM: 3000kg
Tare Ball Weight: 200kg
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Example ATM: 2600kg
Example Ball Weight: 210kg
Example Result: 30kg over towball rating.
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Example Payload:
Driver