North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

dont wanna be a downer but how do you go if you tow a trailer over the allowed capacity of the vehicle?
i know your insurance would be wiped but i reckon you would be in the poop if things went bad.

look at the trailer that broke away down south and killed 3 people - thats how things go bad

nomad wrote:dont wanna be a downer but how do you go if you tow a trailer over the allowed capacity of the vehicle?
i know your insurance would be wiped but i reckon you would be in the poop if things went bad.

look at the trailer that broke away down south and killed 3 people - thats how things go bad

Well lucky im here to answer this nomad cause I asked MVR about this the other day. If you wish to increase tow capacity it has to be done by the manufacturer of the vehicle, if there is no specified tow weight then its 1.5 times the unladen mass of the vehicle.

In regards to how much trouble you'd be in.....you would be liable for all damages, injuries, deaths etc etc caused by your actions. You would be looking at a long jail sentance in the instance above if he was doing the wrong thing.

Anyone got an opinion on the FJ?

FJ is a Prado with a different top, kooky back doors and less interior space. Better off with the Prado which is good at what it was designed for. Unless you are after the kooky aesthetics of course.

Hmm, a 4wd FJ (Holden) I'd like to see that!

Bottom Bashing Bloke wrote:if there is no specified tow weight then its 1.5 times the unladen mass of the vehicle.

true but
thats with a braked trailer - most say 750kg without brakes, no matter how big the tow vehicle.


Australian National Towing Regulations excerpt
Owners of 4WDs and light commercial vehicles should also be careful that they do not exceed the Gross Combined Mass (G.C.M.) of the vehicle. The GCM refers to the maximum vehicle plus its load, including a trailer, is permitted to weigh. It is possible that when a motor vehicle is loaded with, for example, five adults, their luggage and camping gear that the maximum allowable trailer mass has to be reduced so as to not exceed the GCM.

Exceeding the maximum towing load as recommended by the towing vehicle manufacturer can:

* Invalidate warranty

* Nulify insurance, and

* Effect long term vehicle safety and reliability.

I read a review where the FJ flogged the Prado in the sand. Was on Sadbroke Island think. FJ got surprising results. Not saying reviews are unbiased but it was an interesting read.