It’s easy to focus on accessories—roof racks, rooftop tents, fridges, and storage systems, when preparing a vehicle for overlanding. But without understanding your vehicle’s weight limits, you risk overloading it, compromising safety and legality. Terms like GVM, payload, and towing capacity are critical to selecting and setting up a capable, compliant overlanding rig.
What is GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)?
GVM is the maximum total weight your vehicle is legally allowed to carry, including the vehicle itself, passengers, fuel, accessories, and cargo. It’s set by the manufacturer and listed on your vehicle’s compliance plate or in the owner’s manual.
When you add a bull bar, long-range fuel tank, rooftop tent, passengers, and supplies, it’s easy to hit—or exceed—your GVM. Overloading not only affects handling and braking but can also void your insurance in the event of an accident.
Related: Towing Tests – SUV Shootout
Understanding Payload
Payload is the portion of the GVM available for carrying weight beyond the base vehicle. It includes everything not part of the standard vehicle specification: people, luggage, camping gear, water tanks, recovery gear, and modifications.
For example, if your vehicle’s GVM is 3,000kg and the tare weight (empty weight with fuel) is 2,200kg, you have 800kg of payload to work with. It sounds like a lot, but accessories and passengers can quickly eat into this allowance.
Tip: Always factor in water weight—1 litre = 1 kg—and any dual battery systems, aftermarket bumpers or suspension upgrades.
What About Towing Capacity?
Towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can legally tow. There are two key figures:
- Braked towing capacity: The weight limit when the trailer has its own braking system (most caravans or off-road trailers).
- Unbraked towing capacity: Much lower, applies to light trailers without independent brakes.
However, it’s not just about what you can tow—it’s about how towing affects your GCM (Gross Combined Mass), which is the maximum combined weight of your loaded vehicle plus loaded trailer.
Exceeding GCM is illegal and puts excessive strain on the engine, brakes, and suspension.
Related: Are you Towing Illegally?
Why It Matters for Overlanding
Overlanders often travel with full loads and tow equipment into remote areas. Exceeding weight limits increases the risk of mechanical failure, poor off-road performance, and safety issues like brake fade or chassis stress. It can also result in fines or denied insurance claims.
Suspension upgrades or GVM upgrades (where legally permitted) can increase capacity, but only if done by approved fitment centres and certified by the relevant authorities.
Recap
- Know your numbers: GVM, payload, and towing capacity are non-negotiable.
- Don’t guess: Factor in everything—gear, water, people, modifications.
- Balance your build: Bigger is not always better. Keep weight low and evenly distributed.
A strong drivetrain and 4WD system are fundamental to off-roading and overlapping, but understanding and managing weight is what ensures safe, sustainable travel. Prioritise weight awareness early in your setup and you’ll avoid problems further down the road.
Related: Ford Ranger’s Towing Tech Takes the Stress Out of Heavy Hauls
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