When looking at a purchasing a Tow vehicle, or already having one its important to consider the tare weight, Payload, GVM and how much can this baby tow!
These fundamental questions could get you out of future trouble by asking them before you purchase your tow vehicle. So, let’s start at the very beginning and try paint a picture for you to follow.
Throughout this information, I will be using the Isuzu D-Max as an example to showcase the weights.
Tare Weight/Unladen weight
This is the weight of your vehicle when it is empty at stock, no passengers, no luggage, no aftermarket accessories. This includes 10L of fuel and all fluids at maximum capacity (oils, coolants, fluids etc).
For example, the Isuzu D-max tare weight is 2020kg at stock. This weight can’t change you can’t add to it or take away from it, it is the weight of the stock vehicle once built from the manufacturer. It’s important to know your tare weight so you can get maximum payload. You might be thinking why is payload important? Keep going and you’ll find out but next let’s talk about your GVM
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
GVM stands for Gross Vehicle Mass. This is the safe and legal limit that your vehicle is allowed to weigh when it’s fully loaded with everything such as bulbar, roof racks, all your luggage, full tank of fuel and a few weekend froffies to enjoy by the fire. But where most people get caught out is they forget to add there (TBW) Tow Ball Weight.
Once you have hitched your trailer/caravan to your tow vehicle, you are adding tow ball weight to your GVM. The good news is you can upgrade your GVM. Your GVM upgrade gives you stronger suspension system which not only increases your GVM, but also increases your Payload!
So now you’ve got room for your mother-in-law! Next let’s get stuck into what Payload is and why it’s important
The GVM of a stock D-max is 3100kg
Payload
Finally, Payload. This is the total weight your allowed to add legally and safely to the vehicle. It includes your aftermarket accessories, (Bullbars roof racks, bigger tyres and rims etc) luggage, passengers (yourself included) full tank of fuel, your Tow Ball Mass (TBM) once hitched up.
To get your Payload it’s pretty simple math’s, just take your tare weight off the GVM and your left with your payload.
As an example, the D-max GVM is 3100kg, you then minus the Tare weight, which is 2020kg and that equals a Payload of 1080kg! That’s a nice amount of upgrades you can attach before you hit your limit, or before the misso finds out how much your spending!
3100(GVM) – 2020(TARE) = 1080(PAYLOAD)
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