Which camper trailer is right for towing with my Suzuki 4WD?
QUESTION
Hi John,
I have a 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara 3.2L V6, which I have modified a fair bit. This includes upgrading the suspension (but with no increase in the GVM unfortunately).
I am in the market for a small camper trailer for light to medium off-road use – fire trails, forestry roads, beach driving, some of the easier 4WD tracks etc. Nothing too extreme, just me and the aging missus getting to some of those quiet out of the way camping spots around Dingo Piss Creek with all the other bogans.
I was wondering what you would recommend as the maximum tow weight for this type of driving and vehicle. The camper trailers I have started to consider weigh less than 1000kg.
If it helps, I have included some specifications for the car:
Kerb Mass – 1753kg
GVM – 2170kg
GCM – no specific number provide in the owner’s manual, just that the GVM, towing capacity and towball weight should never be exceeded, so 4170kg?
Towing capacity – 2000kg braked, 750kg unbraked
Towball weight – 150kg (I had to get that one clarified in writing by Suzuki Australia as the Australian Owner’s Manual lists an EU maximum of 85kg whereas the Australian specifications sheet states 150kg).
Thanks,
David
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ANSWER
David,
It’s common for passenger vehicles not to have a GCM. That’s more a ‘light commercial’ thing.
So, essentially, you just need to worry about safety, legality and practicality.
You’ll be legal if you stay under 2000kg ATM, 150kg on the ball and 2170 on the GVM.
Payload capacity of the vehicle is (2170-1753 =) 417kg. If you use a van with 150kg ball weight (the vehicle is carrying this, so it comes off the payload) you have to fit everything else into 417-150 = 267kg. That can be pretty tight - that’s all the people, the stuff in the vehicle and the mass of any accessories you’ve added.
I have multiple reports that go through this in granular detail if you need a step-by-step guide to payloads, GVM and towing, plus modifying your vehicle for off-road use.
Realistically, I’d try to keep it under 1200kg - and weigh everything on a weighbridge so you know. Especially with a modified vehicle.
JC
More reports
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