Weight of a fully modded touring GU.

[lortapug]

OK. I have used search and can't get the answers I am looking for. If this has been discussed before please direct me to the thread.

I am just sorting stuff out here. I know that the legal payload on a GU Patrol is not great. So what does your fully set up GU tourer weigh? By set up I mean bull bar, winch, sliders, rear bar with twin spares, cargo barrier, drawers, long range tanks, roof rack, awning, water & camping gear.

I have done a few quick calculations on paper and the numbers always come out over loaded. It is my understanding that a GVM upgrade is not possible now with the new laws. When my time is right, I will be building a GU tourer but I want to stay legal as far as weights etc are concerned. Also insurance problems arise if overloaded and an accident is involved.

I hope I have given enough info to spark up good answers. Thanks.

[the evil twin]

OK. I have used search and can't get the answers I am looking for. If this has been discussed before please direct me to the thread.

I am just sorting stuff out here. I know that the legal payload on a GU Patrol is not great. So what does your fully set up GU tourer weigh? By set up I mean bull bar, winch, sliders, rear bar with twin spares, cargo barrier, drawers, long range tanks, roof rack, awning, water & camping gear.

I have done a few quick calculations on paper and the numbers always come out over loaded. It is my understanding that a GVM upgrade is not possible now with the new laws. When my time is right, I will be building a GU tourer but I want to stay legal as far as weights etc are concerned. Also insurance problems arise if overloaded and an accident is involved.

I hope I have given enough info to spark up good answers. Thanks.

Not sure what you define by a good answer because a vehicle with those mods and two adults onboard will never be even close to being under GVM.
I know mine is waaay over and I don't have a twin rear carrier but pop the 2nd spare on the roof rack ... add on the the dual batts, hi lift, fridge/s and slide and it will be about the same.

[GRA.GU]

You're one of the sensible ones that actually thinks before he mods, lortapug. But as ET has said, you can't have it all and be under the GVM. And if you are over it, apart from legalities, you take your chances on exceeding design specifications and so jeopardise reliability.
Some things are more specialist than others, for instance,if you're constantly in rough country perhaps rock sliders are desirable, but if you're touring the outback they're so much extra weight. Ditto the rear bar. Weight is probably our biggest enemy - more so I suspect than the infamous "Grenade" issues. I'm very mindful of it when making my decisions eg. I choose the inconvenience of no fridge slide, even though I had one, because of its weight. I also stick to 235x85 tyres on original rims, partly for the same reason [I can carry 6 of these at less than the weight of 5 of many of the larger wheels].
Despite my concern with weight I still find the need to compromise eg I' ve fitted drawers [approx 45kg] to help organise myself, but I do normally travel with the rear seats removed. I choose to run with jerry cans for water and fuel, and I have dual batteries, bullbar, winch, and roofrack with 6th spare and awning attached. I haven't weighed the truck recently, but from memory with these mods I'm running very close to the GVM with driver and fuel on board. So my advice is only install what you think you'll really need, not what others are fitting for fashion statements.

[the evil twin]

Good post GRA.GU.

I might add that I usually have my trusty Camper on tow so add another 75 Kg's towball weight as well when its loaded out.

The vehicle stays nicely balanced via the rear suspension air bags but, yeah, the manuf GVM on a Patrol sucks IMHO

[GRA.GU]

"Good post GRA.GU." Thanks ET

" the manuf GVM on a Patrol sucks IMHO" Agree wholeheartedly. I've just looked through the specs and mine, a DX auto, has a carrying capacity of 665kg. I thought that was low until I looked at the Ti autos - just 543kg! So on a vehicle straight from the showroom with no accessories, 4 big footballers and a load of fuel could see you on your limit. Just as well I don't take footballers with me

[lortapug]

Looks like I may have to do some deep thinking here. Seems the only way to stay legal & safe is to do something about the GVM. Unless there is something I don't know, the only way to get a GVM upgrade on a used vehicle these days is to go Portal Axle, Mark's 4wd Adaptors have all states except QLD on board with a 750kg GVM upgrade on portalled Patrols. (told by Mark's by e-mail). Or a lazy axle conversion or a proper 6x6 conversion both of which up the GVM to 4500kg. On the other hand I guess is to be really light on with mods and tow a trailer with everything else in/on it.

Not really keen on portals as the lift is default 6" and so COG is raised. Besides my better half is vertically challenged. Lazy axles don't appeal for many reasons. Black top touring yes but not for me. The idea and benefits of true 6x6 interests me but Oh so expensive.

[gregs]

I just did a quick calculation of our accessories and when we go away for a big trip we are well over the limit as well. But the thing is it is near impossible to stay below the gvm of the patrol. An st auto weighing in at 2443kg + bullbar, winch, spotlights, towbar, roof racks and basket (as in our case), full tanks of diesel, 50L waeco full of food and drinks, fridge slide, rear drawers (taken out rear seats so weight should be roughly the same, but the stuff in them can add up to a bit of weight), dual batteries and associated wiring, recovery gear, awning.................I'm already at 2900kg before I add the missus, daughter and camper.

The only real way to stay below the gvm is either 1/ leave it standard and travel or 2/ just don't go anywhere where you will need the extra gear and I just refuse to do either of these 2.

When back home I take gear off/out to reduce the weight as most of it is not needed for around town....

If you want to be safe and comfortable when you travel then unfortunately there are times when exceeding the GVM of the patrol is going to happen.

Cheers

Greg

[the godfather]

Yep. Weight is always an issue, not restricted to the Patrol either. So I travel light. I only take the essentials; food, water, fuel, spare tyre and repair kit, come-along, compressor, bulbar, swag or tent, toilet paper, 1st aid kit, UHF, toolbox, and the misses. That's it, everything else is a luxury.

[oncedisturbed]

having only just purchased / decked out the troll, this is an area I am learning as well. Coming from a dual cab previously where space was a bit more of a luxury to a more confined area now, packing and carrying of gear is now a premium. if it just me, not an issue as i don't utilise a lot of gear but taking the missus with me and then when munchkin comes along as well, packing will be a hit and miss learning curve for a bit until i get a camper trailer which will make things easier

[gregs]

I have a mate in Brisy that used to travel up and down the eastern seaboard as well as country areas for work and his patrol (4.2L turbo) was constantly at around the 4T mark especially on the trip up, he did this for years and has never had an issue. I know it was on bitumen but there are many other roads that should not be called roads at all.....the bruce highway is a goat track in places.