I want to get you thoughts on what success you have gained from a Tow and Load Assessment of your combined tug and caravan by a suitable qualified person.
Shortly, I will take delivery of my new 19ft 6in caravan with a 3,300kg ATM and my My16 Navara Np300 GCM is 5,910kg. I am aware that the new caravan could be an overweight combination and I need to reduce my new van pay load to comply with the correct GCM.
To have confidence what the caravan pay load should be, I am considering to have a Tow and Load Assessment.
Thanks
Rob
yobarr said
07:31 AM Apr 1, 2021
Rob Mac wrote:
Hi All
I want to get you thoughts on what success you have gained from a Tow and Load Assessment of your combined tug and caravan by a suitable qualified person.
Shortly, I will take delivery of my new 19ft 6in caravan with a 3,300kg ATM and my My16 Navara Np300 GCM is 5,910kg. I am aware that the new caravan could be an overweight combination and I need to reduce my new van pay load to comply with the correct GCM.
To have confidence what the caravan pay load should be, I am considering to have a Tow and Load Assessment.
Thanks
Rob
Hi Rob...Later today I will post all relevant details for your chosen vehicles,but first impressions are that,with that van, the Navara will be well out of its depth if safety is of any concern to you.Cheers
Hi Rob...Because Navaras suffer a dramatic reduction in GVM as towball weight rises,putting it bluntly,there is no way known that your car can safelytow much more than about 2600kg as a PIG trailer (caravan)...and that is being generous.The other major problem you face is the super light-weight rear axle on the car,rated at only 1750kg. The chart below shows how GVM is reduced as towball weight rises,and all my figures are being done on a towbar weight of only 260kg.Using the generally accepted 10% towball weight,if you were to apply 260kg to your towball,the actual weight applied to the rear axle of the car is around 370kg,with the extra 110kg coming off the front axle,and being transferred to the rear axle.Remember that your GVM now is down to 2630kg...and that's being generous.When towing a PIG trailer,if safety is of any importance,the weight on the wheels of the car should be at least 10% greater than the weight on the wheels of the van.This means that your GTM (weight on van wheels) should not exceed around 2350kg (+/-) giving van ATM of around 2600kg (+/-).Maximum weight safely attainable (GCM if you like) is 5000kg.Sorry that this is not what you want to hear,but these are the facts.Weights are a minefield for beginners,and the limitations of the Navara further muddy the waters,but if you would like to discuss your situation in detail,you may like to PM me a contact phone number so I can offer help to you,as I have done with several other forum members.Good luck.Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:45:21 AM
Hi Possum...thanks for this valuable advice,but I would like to point out that,after years in this field,some members know exactly what they're talking about when it com to weights.And perhaps it should also be pointed out that,although it is undoubtedly of use to many,it is my understanding that the advice offered by the "Caravan Council" is no more than the opinion of one person? Happy to be corrected there,however,but it seems invariably your advice is to contact this "Council".Cheers
Gundog said
09:31 AM Apr 1, 2021
Yobarr just a slight correction to your post, if you read the label correctly the GVM reduction is only a guide, such GVM reduction has been prostituted many on forums as being fact which it is clearly not the case. Likewise the use of a WDH with the genuine towbar.
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 1st of April 2021 09:32:18 AM
Yobarr just a slight correction to your post, if you read the label correctly the GVM reduction is only a guide, such GVM reduction has been prostituted many on forums as being fact which it is clearly not the case. Likewise the use of a WDH with the genuine towbar.
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 1st of April 2021 09:32:18 AM
Graham,the reason that it is listed as 'only a guide' us that there are huge gaps between the relevant towball weights.There is no figure for 260kg towball weight,for example,so I generously used the lower GVM reduction figure given for 200kg towball weight to make the figures look better a little better for Rob.And we won't even bother discussing the Nissan towbar.No matter how some may duck and weave,and waffle on,there is no way that the facts can be avoided. My primary interest in this case is to help prevent Rob and Julie from making a BIG mistake in trying to tow a decent sized van with a Navara. The Nissan spec sheet clearly asks that buyers refer to the supplied figures for GVM reduction.Cheers
My reading of the label is that it does not reduce the GVM of the vehicle but if you are going to add a tow ball weight you must include this weight in your GVM and also do not exceed the rear axle weight. This would apply to all vehicles.
My Daughters Father-in-law six months ago bought a new Nissan Navara to tow a 19 foot van, he traded it in for a VW V6 ute last month. I have not heard how the VW tows, he was not happy we his Nissan.
yobarr said
11:38 AM Apr 1, 2021
Snail wrote:
My reading of the label is that it does not reduce the GVM of the vehicle but if you are going to add a tow ball weight you must include this weight in your GVM and also do not exceed the rear axle weight. This would apply to all vehicles.
My Daughters Father-in-law six months ago bought a new Nissan Navara to tow a 19 foot van, he traded it in for a VW V6 ute last month. I have not heard how the VW tows, he was not happy we his Nissan.
Perhaps this chart will help? Let me assure you that,with a Nissan Navara, the GVM rating is gradually reduced as towball weight increases.Not negotiable. Nissan is,to the best of my knowledge,the only vehicle to suffer this,although the problem was sorted with the Series 5 Patrol,I believe? And,just as a matter of interest,you might like to learn that very few cars can ever reach their rated GVM when towing,because of the weight transfer from front axle to rear axle.The Navara has a low rear axle rating of only 1750kg...further problems! Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:39:17 AM
Greg 1 said
12:22 PM Apr 1, 2021
Getting back to the original post, to do a full load check is beneficial for all of us, both to ensure you are legal and for peace of mind.
In WA I can highly recommend Gary Thorn of Caravan Mobile Weighing Services. He is a very professional outfit with very accurate equipment.
yobarr said
12:56 PM Apr 1, 2021
Greg 1 wrote:
Getting back to the original post, to do a full load check is beneficial for all of us, both to ensure you are legal and for peace of mind. In WA I can highly recommend Gary Thorn of Caravan Mobile Weighing Services. He is a very professional outfit with very accurate equipment.
Good comments Greg,but I strongly suggest that Rob save his pennies,as there is not a snowflake's chance in hell of a Navara getting within cooee of safely towing that sized van.Rob may well get advice from people who will happily tell him what he might want to hear,but spending $300 ( or whatever) on a Tow and Load assessment is an absolute waste of money in this case,I believe.Rob needs a bigger car or a smaller van..Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 10:48:47 AM
Hi Possum...thanks for this valuable advice,but I would like to point out that,after years in this field,some members know exactly what they're talking about when it com to weights.And perhaps it should also be pointed out that,although it is undoubtedly of use to many,it is my understanding that the advice offered by the "Caravan Council" is no more than the opinion of one person? Happy to be corrected there,however,but it seems invariably your advice is to contact this "Council".Cheers
Rob Mac
As Possum3 said, be very wary of any information that you may read on a forum.
From your original post we don't have a tare weight for the van you intend to tow, so it is beyond anyone, including the expert on this forum to know what your LEGAL payload will be.
A company that will provide an accurate Tow and Load Assessment of your combination can only be both safe and sensible.
If I may offer a suggestion, when you pick up your new van have the dealer obtain a weigh note with all accessories and equipment installed as per your order.
To rely on the tare weight on the compliance plate of the van to calculate your payload will just not be accurate unless you have had nothing extra fitted, you have no gas or water in the van and you are confident that the manufacturer provided an accurate tare weight on the plate in the first place.
Unfortunately the expert advice that is quoted in many, many posts on this forum automatically assume that any owner of a caravan are going to load the van to the maximum ATM. which in many cases is not true.
When you do have the assessment completed you will have the payload figure that you require and you may then load accordingly.
I hope you might come back and let us all know how the assessment went.
Rob Mac said
06:50 PM Apr 1, 2021
Hi everyone
I thank you and appreciate your comments regarding my post for the Tow and Load Assessment.
The outcome I seek is to have confidence what the caravan pay load is compliant for safe towing.
I have taken onboard your guidance and comments and will progress to take the Assessment and report back to this post of the outcome.
The timing for this is most likely late May due to Covid 19, the delivery time to receive the new van was changed from early March to mid April.
My expectation for the Assessment is to know what the pay load is for the caravan to have a safe and happy caravanning experience. I expect the load to be lower than what the caravan can safely carry.
Hi Possum...thanks for this valuable advice,but I would like to point out that,after years in this field,some members know what they're talking about when it comes to weights.And perhaps it should also be pointed out that,although it is undoubtedly of use to many,it is my understanding that the advice offered by the "Caravan Council" is no more than the opinion of one person? Happy to be corrected there,however,but it seems invariably your advice is to contact this "Council".Cheers
Rob Mac
As Possum3 said, be very wary of any information that you may read on a forum.
From your original post we don't have a tare weight for the van you intend to tow, so it is beyond anyone, including the expert on this forum to know what your LEGAL payload will be.
Although I am unaware who you are referring to when you mention "the expert",as a fellow member I will post only what I know to be true.There never has been any mention of the "LEGAL payload" of the van in question.All that was being discussed is the ability of a Navara to tow a caravan with an ATM of 3300kg.It can't be done safely. End of story.
A company that will provide an accurate Tow and Load Assessment of your combination can only be both safe and sensible.
No matter how accurate the "Tow and Load assessment",there is no way known that the proposed combination can be either safe or sensible.
If I may offer a suggestion, when you pick up your new van have the dealer obtain a weigh note with all accessories and equipment installed as per your order.
To rely on the tare weight on the compliance plate of the van to calculate your payload will just not be accurate unless you have had nothing extra fitted, you have no gas or water in the van and you are confident that the manufacturer provided an accurate tare weight on the plate in the first place.
There has been no discussion of tare weight,nor of load carrying ability.
Unfortunately the expert advice that is quoted in many, many posts on this forum automatically assume that any owner of a caravan are going to load the van to the maximum ATM which in many cases is not true.
You seem well confused here,as there has been absolutely NO discussion of loading the van to anywhere near the ATM rating.On the contrary,I have outlined,in great detail,why a Navara cannot safely tow a PIG TRAILER with an ATM above 2600kg(+/-)
When you do have the assessment completed you will have the payload figure that you require and you may then load accordingly.
I hope you might come back and let us all know how the assessment went.
As you suggest,I hope that Rob comes back with details of the proposed assessment,but I strongly suggest that he save himself $300 (+/-) by not even bothering.Simply put,in my opinion,there is no way known that a Navara can safely tow more than around 2600kg as a PIG TRAILER,given the lightweight rear axle and the minimum 280kg reduction in GVM rating...this may be up to 410kg,depending on towball weight. Anybody who has anything more than a very basic understanding of weights,and the physics involved,would know that if safety is of any concern,always the weight on the car's wheels should be at least 10% greater than the weight on the van's wheels.This is done to minimise the risk of "...the tail wagging the Dog". Your post appears to be referencing a previous thread on tares,where you got shot to pieces,but you seem not to understand that this is an entirely different situation? Have a great day! Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:25:37 AM
montie said
07:51 PM Apr 1, 2021
Rob Mac wrote:
Hi All
I want to get you thoughts on what success you have gained from a Tow and Load Assessment of your combined tug and caravan by a suitable qualified person.
Shortly, I will take delivery of my new 19ft 6in caravan with a 3,300kg ATM and my My16 Navara Np300 GCM is 5,910kg. I am aware that the new caravan could be an overweight combination and I need to reduce my new van pay load to comply with the correct GCM.
To have confidence what the caravan pay load should be, I am considering to have a Tow and Load Assessment.
Thanks
Rob
Working on the assumption that you load your van to 3300kg with a 10% ball download your loaded tug cannot exceed 2940kg unhooked. Your 3300kg loaded weight will need to include the 330kg ball weight.
I have not addressed any specific issues with Navara ball download.
boab said
08:06 PM Apr 1, 2021
why does the self appointed expert have to write in highlighted text and red text does he also assume the op cant read normal text
Clarky 1 said
10:01 PM Apr 1, 2021
boab wrote:
why does the self appointed expert have to write in highlighted text and red text does he also assume the op cant read normal text
My view is that he does this to create distraction.
He decided to pick my post apart as he has done with so many others but what he really needed to do was to go back and read the original post.
Rob the op wants to assess how much payload he may be able to legally carry with his new van.
I will just leave it here.
montie said
10:26 PM Apr 1, 2021
Clarky 1 wrote:
boab wrote:
why does the self appointed expert have to write in highlighted text and red text does he also assume the op cant read normal text
My view is that he does this to create distraction.
He decided to pick my post apart as he has done with so many others but what he really needed to do was to go back and read the original post.
Rob the op wants to assess how much payload he may be able to legally carry with his new van.
I will just leave it here.
Gross payload calculation is simple....Plated ATM minus Plated Tare.
Why are we complicating a simple issue.
You really do not need to be an engineer to work out your weights and ratings.
Clarky 1 said
10:47 PM Apr 1, 2021
montie wrote:
Clarky 1 wrote:
boab wrote:
why does the self appointed expert have to write in highlighted text and red text does he also assume the op cant read normal text
My view is that he does this to create distraction.
He decided to pick my post apart as he has done with so many others but what he really needed to do was to go back and read the original post.
Rob the op wants to assess how much payload he may be able to legally carry with his new van.
I will just leave it here.
Gross payload calculation is simple....Plated ATM minus Plated Tare.
Why are we complicating a simple issue.
You really do not need to be an engineer to work out your weights and ratings.
Absolutely montie, but I think the OP wants to have assessed the net payload as opposed to the gross payload which may or may not be accurate or even indicative of payload depending on the weight of any accessories, water gas etc that can easily be added to the plated tare weight....provided of course... that the plated tare weight is accurate and then the weight of any added accessories in total is accurate.
Then once this is accurately assessed he needs to have his vehicle assessed as well.
As with the accurate Tare of his van with accessories, no one on this forum knows what accessories, tow bar design, and his personal requirements are regarding his vehicle load so to achieve the figures he wants, this needs to be assessed as well. A blanket statement of ATM minus the plated Tare weight is not what the OP wants.
My thoughts are, why should anyone guess these weights, as well as the OP possibly doubts the capacity of his present tow vehicle, so, why, in the interest of safety and legality, shouldn't he employ the services of a professional in this field, who will weigh and assess his legal limits with his new van as well as existing vehicle.
If I were to seek this information for my unit, I would consider the OPs decision a no brainer....
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Thursday 1st of April 2021 11:06:56 PM
montie said
07:55 AM Apr 2, 2021
Clarky 1 wrote:
montie wrote:
Clarky 1 wrote:
boab wrote:
why does the self appointed expert have to write in highlighted text and red text does he also assume the op cant read normal text
My view is that he does this to create distraction.
He decided to pick my post apart as he has done with so many others but what he really needed to do was to go back and read the original post.
Rob the op wants to assess how much payload he may be able to legally carry with his new van.
I will just leave it here.
Gross payload calculation is simple....Plated ATM minus Plated Tare.
Why are we complicating a simple issue.
You really do not need to be an engineer to work out your weights and ratings.
Absolutely montie, but I think the OP wants to have assessed the net payload as opposed to the gross payload which may or may not be accurate or even indicative of payload depending on the weight of any accessories, water gas etc that can easily be added to the plated tare weight....provided of course... that the plated tare weight is accurate and then the weight of any added accessories in total is accurate.
Then once this is accurately assessed he needs to have his vehicle assessed as well.
As with the accurate Tare of his van with accessories, no one on this forum knows what accessories, tow bar design, and his personal requirements are regarding his vehicle load so to achieve the figures he wants, this needs to be assessed as well. A blanket statement of ATM minus the plated Tare weight is not what the OP wants.
My thoughts are, why should anyone guess these weights, as well as the OP possibly doubts the capacity of his present tow vehicle, so, why, in the interest of safety and legality, shouldn't he employ the services of a professional in this field, who will weigh and assess his legal limits with his new van as well as existing vehicle.
If I were to seek this information for my unit, I would consider the OPs decision a no brainer....
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Thursday 1st of April 2021 11:06:56 PM
It's not rocket science!
Once gross payload has been established surely the OP knows what extras he wants to fit after he takes delivery. Extras fitted at the factory will be included in the plated tare.
Gas and water are easy...18kg for gas and 1kg per litre for water. The supplier of any extras he requires fitted to the van will gladly give him their weight. The same calculation applies to his tug...he knows the GVM and Payload when he get's it and it's a simple calculation from there.
If he needs someone to hold his hand to figure out that simple calculation how is he ever going to manage his ongoing weights and ratings when goes travelling!
Like I said it's not rocket science...keep it simple folks!
-- Edited by montie on Friday 2nd of April 2021 08:00:43 AM
Greg 1 said
06:12 PM Apr 2, 2021
All what you say is probably true Montie, but a run over some very accurate scales for a full load check every once in a while, is a good idea.
Weights can creep up as the missus wants to put another favourite tea pot in etc and to head of confidently knowing that you are all legal is really worth the money imho.
montie said
06:22 PM Apr 2, 2021
Greg 1 wrote:
All what you say is probably true Montie, but a run over some very accurate scales for a full load check every once in a while, is a good idea. Weights can creep up as the missus wants to put another favourite tea pot in etc and to head of confidently knowing that you are all legal is really worth the money imho.
Greg,
Your weights will vary when you are travelling.
Water tanks, gas bottles and payload need to be managed. Also ball weight is variable.
Unless you put this assessment expert in the back seat you might need to familiarize yourself with your ratings and weights as you travel, because your weights will vary.
Just work on the assumption that you will load everything to it's legal maximum when you do the calculations.
Hi All
I want to get you thoughts on what success you have gained from a Tow and Load Assessment of your combined tug and caravan by a suitable qualified person.
Shortly, I will take delivery of my new 19ft 6in caravan with a 3,300kg ATM and my My16 Navara Np300 GCM is 5,910kg. I am aware that the new caravan could be an overweight combination and I need to reduce my new van pay load to comply with the correct GCM.
To have confidence what the caravan pay load should be, I am considering to have a Tow and Load Assessment.
Thanks
Rob
Hi Rob...Later today I will post all relevant details for your chosen vehicles,but first impressions are that,with that van, the Navara will be well out of its depth if safety is of any concern to you.Cheers
Be wary of relying on advice on internet forums.
Hi Rob...Because Navaras suffer a dramatic reduction in GVM as towball weight rises,putting it bluntly,there is no way known that your car can safely tow much more than about 2600kg as a PIG trailer (caravan)...and that is being generous.The other major problem you face is the super light-weight rear axle on the car,rated at only 1750kg. The chart below shows how GVM is reduced as towball weight rises,and all my figures are being done on a towbar weight of only 260kg.Using the generally accepted 10% towball weight,if you were to apply 260kg to your towball,the actual weight applied to the rear axle of the car is around 370kg,with the extra 110kg coming off the front axle,and being transferred to the rear axle.Remember that your GVM now is down to 2630kg...and that's being generous.When towing a PIG trailer,if safety is of any importance,the weight on the wheels of the car should be at least 10% greater than the weight on the wheels of the van.This means that your GTM (weight on van wheels) should not exceed around 2350kg (+/-) giving van ATM of around 2600kg (+/-).Maximum weight safely attainable (GCM if you like) is 5000kg.Sorry that this is not what you want to hear,but these are the facts.Weights are a minefield for beginners,and the limitations of the Navara further muddy the waters,but if you would like to discuss your situation in detail,you may like to PM me a contact phone number so I can offer help to you,as I have done with several other forum members.Good luck.Cheers.
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:45:21 AM
Hi Possum...thanks for this valuable advice,but I would like to point out that,after years in this field,some members know exactly what they're talking about when it com to weights.And perhaps it should also be pointed out that,although it is undoubtedly of use to many,it is my understanding that the advice offered by the "Caravan Council" is no more than the opinion of one person? Happy to be corrected there,however,but it seems invariably your advice is to contact this "Council".Cheers
Yobarr just a slight correction to your post, if you read the label correctly the GVM reduction is only a guide, such GVM reduction has been prostituted many on forums as being fact which it is clearly not the case. Likewise the use of a WDH with the genuine towbar.
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 1st of April 2021 09:32:18 AM
Graham,the reason that it is listed as 'only a guide' us that there are huge gaps between the relevant towball weights.There is no figure for 260kg towball weight,for example,so I generously used the lower GVM reduction figure given for 200kg towball weight to make the figures look better a little better for Rob.And we won't even bother discussing the Nissan towbar.No matter how some may duck and weave,and waffle on,there is no way that the facts can be avoided. My primary interest in this case is to help prevent Rob and Julie from making a BIG mistake in trying to tow a decent sized van with a Navara. The Nissan spec sheet clearly asks that buyers refer to the supplied figures for GVM reduction.Cheers
My reading of the label is that it does not reduce the GVM of the vehicle but if you are going to add a tow ball weight you must include this weight in your GVM and also do not exceed the rear axle weight. This would apply to all vehicles.
Perhaps this chart will help? Let me assure you that,with a Nissan Navara, the GVM rating is gradually reduced as towball weight increases.Not negotiable. Nissan is,to the best of my knowledge,the only vehicle to suffer this,although the problem was sorted with the Series 5 Patrol,I believe? And,just as a matter of interest,you might like to learn that very few cars can ever reach their rated GVM when towing,because of the weight transfer from front axle to rear axle.The Navara has a low rear axle rating of only 1750kg...further problems! Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:39:17 AM
Good comments Greg,but I strongly suggest that Rob save his pennies,as there is not a snowflake's chance in hell of a Navara getting within cooee of safely towing that sized van.Rob may well get advice from people who will happily tell him what he might want to hear,but spending $300 ( or whatever) on a Tow and Load assessment is an absolute waste of money in this case,I believe.Rob needs a bigger car or a smaller van..Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 10:48:47 AM
Rob Mac
As Possum3 said, be very wary of any information that you may read on a forum.
From your original post we don't have a tare weight for the van you intend to tow, so it is beyond anyone, including the expert on this forum to know what your LEGAL payload will be.
A company that will provide an accurate Tow and Load Assessment of your combination can only be both safe and sensible.
If I may offer a suggestion, when you pick up your new van have the dealer obtain a weigh note with all accessories and equipment installed as per your order.
To rely on the tare weight on the compliance plate of the van to calculate your payload will just not be accurate unless you have had nothing extra fitted, you have no gas or water in the van and you are confident that the manufacturer provided an accurate tare weight on the plate in the first place.
Unfortunately the expert advice that is quoted in many, many posts on this forum automatically assume that any owner of a caravan are going to load the van to the maximum ATM. which in many cases is not true.
When you do have the assessment completed you will have the payload figure that you require and you may then load accordingly.
I hope you might come back and let us all know how the assessment went.
I thank you and appreciate your comments regarding my post for the Tow and Load Assessment.
The outcome I seek is to have confidence what the caravan pay load is compliant for safe towing.
I have taken onboard your guidance and comments and will progress to take the Assessment and report back to this post of the outcome.
The timing for this is most likely late May due to Covid 19, the delivery time to receive the new van was changed from early March to mid April.
My expectation for the Assessment is to know what the pay load is for the caravan to have a safe and happy caravanning experience. I expect the load to be lower than what the caravan can safely carry.
Cheers
Rob
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of April 2021 05:25:37 AM
Working on the assumption that you load your van to 3300kg with a 10% ball download your loaded tug cannot exceed 2940kg unhooked. Your 3300kg loaded weight will need to include the 330kg ball weight.
I have not addressed any specific issues with Navara ball download.
My view is that he does this to create distraction.
He decided to pick my post apart as he has done with so many others but what he really needed to do was to go back and read the original post.
Rob the op wants to assess how much payload he may be able to legally carry with his new van.
I will just leave it here.
Gross payload calculation is simple....Plated ATM minus Plated Tare.
Why are we complicating a simple issue.
You really do not need to be an engineer to work out your weights and ratings.
Absolutely montie, but I think the OP wants to have assessed the net payload as opposed to the gross payload which may or may not be accurate or even indicative of payload depending on the weight of any accessories, water gas etc that can easily be added to the plated tare weight....provided of course... that the plated tare weight is accurate and then the weight of any added accessories in total is accurate.
Then once this is accurately assessed he needs to have his vehicle assessed as well.
As with the accurate Tare of his van with accessories, no one on this forum knows what accessories, tow bar design, and his personal requirements are regarding his vehicle load so to achieve the figures he wants, this needs to be assessed as well. A blanket statement of ATM minus the plated Tare weight is not what the OP wants.
My thoughts are, why should anyone guess these weights, as well as the OP possibly doubts the capacity of his present tow vehicle, so, why, in the interest of safety and legality, shouldn't he employ the services of a professional in this field, who will weigh and assess his legal limits with his new van as well as existing vehicle.
If I were to seek this information for my unit, I would consider the OPs decision a no brainer....
-- Edited by Clarky 1 on Thursday 1st of April 2021 11:06:56 PM
It's not rocket science!
Once gross payload has been established surely the OP knows what extras he wants to fit after he takes delivery. Extras fitted at the factory will be included in the plated tare.
Gas and water are easy...18kg for gas and 1kg per litre for water. The supplier of any extras he requires fitted to the van will gladly give him their weight. The same calculation applies to his tug...he knows the GVM and Payload when he get's it and it's a simple calculation from there.
If he needs someone to hold his hand to figure out that simple calculation how is he ever going to manage his ongoing weights and ratings when goes travelling!
Like I said it's not rocket science...keep it simple folks!
-- Edited by montie on Friday 2nd of April 2021 08:00:43 AM
Greg,
Your weights will vary when you are travelling.
Water tanks, gas bottles and payload need to be managed. Also ball weight is variable.
Unless you put this assessment expert in the back seat you might need to familiarize yourself with your ratings and weights as you travel, because your weights will vary.
Just work on the assumption that you will load everything to it's legal maximum when you do the calculations.