Hi all
After a trip to the Dump to dispose of old oils and weighing the ute, I started to think about weights etc. So as I had everything out of ute for cleaning, I had a good starting point to see what everything weighed and what I would need to leave out to keep within GVM. Got bathroom scales down stairs and started.
Basic vehicle cab chassis including spare tyre but no tray (from original Nissan brochure) 2015kg (ST's 2028kg, DX Leaf 2128kg)
Standard aluminum tray,Nissan bull bar, 9500lb winch with rope, tow bar, dual battery,
steel custom canopy with canvas sides, security screens,solar panel,awning 570
Driver (ok I'm a lightweight) 65
Sub total from scales at dump 2650
Fuel 180
Water tanks (3 X 50 l plastic tanks with individual taps) 15
Water (one tank only for normal use) 50
Tools box, sockets & air pump 18
Recovery gear 13
Spares (oil,belts, filters etc) 15
Trailblazer fridge/freezer (empty) 40
Kitchen (home made plywood with shelves) 30
Bed frame & bedding (storage underneath) 18
Camping gear chair & table 6
Filleting board/table 7
Gas bottle 15
Beer (12kg per 30 cans) 12
Clothes ( I travel light and normally in warm/hot weather) 10
Camera, computer etc 10
Sub total 3089
Add variables as-
Fishing gear 20
Food 25
Freezer contents- can fit 30 kg pilchards + food & extra beer 50
Total 3184kg
GVM for coil cabs is 3150kg and leafys 3400kg.
So I have a minor problem with this load but would normally carry a lot more consumables. and suggest most of us have the same issue.
Thinking of removing winch as I have not used it in anger so far and then can add extra essentials (read beer) and extra water if going bush.
It is amazing how quickly it adds up when a few extras are thrown in.
I have no doubt vehicle can handle considerably more than I carry but if some idiot hits me and if he is insured, the insurance company chases me because I am over GVM, I stand to loose everything.
I am certain that most if not all travelers I saw on my trip to the West last year would have been over GVM and CVM when towing.