GVM weight calculation

[VK3GJM]

Hi All,

Just did an interesting exercise to calculate the total sum weight of all items in readiness for the Cape after fitting after market accessories and all the travel essentials and trailer.

Certainly an interesting exercise and one that needs careful attention to ensure your insurance is not void in the event of an accident among other things like ADR compliance, tyre spec.

Very little hear room for the Cook's wine.

Regards


Gerald

VK3GJM

[Tombie]

IIRC LR weights include Driver, Full Tank and all fluids...Someone will chime in....

Lose the HiLift...

That's the reason why I went RWC not Kaymar... Saving of 60kg straight away.

When towing, you can put some in the trailer too... (Obvious) so it's not as bad.

But you're correct, it pays to be cautious.

[VK3GJM]

Tombie,

I can get the ball weight down to 50-60kg by filling the TVAN water tank and adding 2x 20 litres fuel in the rear holders. A forward weight between 50 to 130 provides a better ride with less jolting.

Decided on Kaymar for several reasons, rear end low speed accident protection, sufficient ability to add several HF antennas, lighting and other home brew accessories.

I did seriously consider the rwc, yes the massive weight saving would have been valuable, but you learn to adjust.

Regards

Gerald

VK3GJM

[discotwinturbo]

I went without the Kaymar this time around, due to 7 years before hand having a Kaymar and not having to remove any rear wheel for a flat. Including CSR, GRR, Tanami, GCR, central Australia, and many more.

I was worried about the D4 gvm, as you really don't have much room to move. Need to remove those rear seats.

That said when I was on the CSR I was over gvm.....pretty hard not to when you have to carry 3 weeks of food, fuel, etc.

Brett...

[rufusking]

Gerald, I think your starting point is even low. I regularly drop of recycling at the local transfer station which has weigh bridges on the way in and out. On the way out with only myself (75kg) and the D4 HSE in stock trim, fuel and dual batteries, I rarely see the readout under 2700kg! Don't rely on handbook numbers if you're going to these extents calculating GVM.

[BobD]

I weighed my 2010 D4 with Kaymar rear bar and single spare tyre, extra battery and Traxide kit, ECB alloy front bar, GOE wheels, GOE compressor guard and small front bash plate, Mitch Hitch and Brown Davis 110l long range tank (empty) and half a tank of fuel in the Land Rover tank. It came to 2740kg.

I was going to fit drawers for the Cape York trip but after doing a similar calculation to yours I got really scared and weighed the car to find out exactly what it weighed with all the extras. I had to take my wife and I and my daughter with a swag and a Kimberley Mycube roof top tent, so I removed the third row seats and two of the middle row seats to save weight. By my caculation after weighing most of the stuff we had to take including the people and allowing only 50l in the long range tank I was about 75kg over the GVM. I ended up using a full tank when possible and taking extra bottled water over what I weighed so that 75kg also went out the window. Even worse just after doing the shopping!

We had no problems but it is very hard not to exceed the GVM. Note that you are allowed a bit extra for towing I think, something like 65kg if you get the weight balance exactly right on each axle! I can't remember the exact numbers that I worked out last year though and I could be wrong.

Bob

[VK3GJM]

Gerald, I think your starting point is even low. I regularly drop of recycling at the local transfer station which has weigh bridges on the way in and out. On the way out with only myself (75kg) and the D4 HSE in stock trim, fuel and dual batteries, I rarely see the readout under 2700kg! Don't rely on handbook numbers if you're going to these extents calculating GVM.

OK, this puts a new spin on the whole calcs. I think I need the weigh as is stock.

Bobd, I did a basic calc and I got around 196 kg of basic extras with a baseline weight of 2700kg.

This needs re-thinking. Thank you for the valued feedback everyone.

Regards

Gerald

VK3GJM

[roverrescue]

buy a 130 ;)
just stirring
S

[gghaggis]

I see where you've subtracted the weights for the driver and fuel, but I don't see where you've added them back in?

Cheers,

Gordon

[BobD]

I should also add in relation to my previous post that the people we were travelling with couldn't believe how little stuff we took for a 4 week trip with three people. Everything had to be essential or it didn't come on the trip. I even limited the personal effects and clothing to one small bag each, which the two girls actually stuck to, which kept the surplus clothing to a minimum.

Bob

[Drafrete]

Hi and thanks for the thread,

I had found when I was considering towing and GVM that also the actual axle load maximum became important too. Especially with a reasonable ball weight it is not hard to go over the rear axle load limit. As much of the cargo will be to the back and if you have a rear bar and extra wheel the rear axle load (and by implication the rear tyre load) start to become limiting.

Greg

[VK3GJM]

Hi Gordon,

Yes, correct. An error on my part. I am actually going to a public weigh bridge tomorrow. After that I will fix the sheet and correct the error you mentioned.

The trip to the cape now becomes a balancing act of what essential things to take and what to forget.

I was talking to my brother about his 80 series and he often passes GVM based on some numbers we added, he was horrified.

More to follow.

Regards

Gerald


I see where you've subtracted the weights for the driver and fuel, but I don't see where you've added them back in?

Cheers,

Gordon

[VK3GJM]

Hi All,

FYI. Official weight for default MY13 TDV6 HSE with 8 speed full factory options and 62 litres in tank, is 2620kg.:mad:

This certainly complicates matters when optioning up with after market accessories and big trips with trailers. Very easy to exceed GVM.

The only option is to minimise trailer ball weight and distribute as much essential items/weight as possible.

More to follow.

Regards

Gerald

VK3GJM


Hi Gordon,

Yes, correct. An error on my part. I am actually going to a public weigh bridge tomorrow. After that I will fix the sheet and correct the error you mentioned.

The trip to the cape now becomes a balancing act of what essential things to take and what to forget.

I was talking to my brother about his 80 series and he often passes GVM based on some numbers we added, he was horrified.

More to follow.

Regards

Gerald

[PaulGOz]

This is interesting been thinking about my gvm of late as well. I weighed my factory alloys with factory wranglers 18 inch and got 28kg. My 17 inch bbs alloys with 265x65 d694s came in at 32kgs each. Is your 19 inch wheel and tyre really 19 kg?

As a suggestion a lithium battery may save you a few kgs doing the starter as well may save even more although not a cheap option.

Good luck.

[VK3GJM]

Hi Paul,

I do not know the weight of the 19" rim and tyre. Some are actual and some are a guess.

I have a baseline weight for my vehicle. Once a number aftermarket accessories have been delivered it matter for weight measurement to determine the total sum and distribute weight across D4 and TVAN.

How often do you see a falcon or Prado, Hilux or many other vehicles towing huge weights on the ball and fully loaded with people and equipment.

I am sure many people simply have no idea if they are near or over GVM.

My exercise is to ensure compliance. I do not kow the consequences if you are caught and 50kg over GVM.

The feedback has been very informative, thank you all.

Regards

Gerald

VK3GJM


This is interesting been thinking about my gvm of late as well. I weighed my factory alloys with factory wranglers 18 inch and got 28kg. My 17 inch bbs alloys with 265x65 d694s came in at 32kgs each. Is your 19 inch wheel and tyre really 19 kg?

As a suggestion a lithium battery may save you a few kgs doing the starter as well may save even more although not a cheap option.

Good luck.

[Disco4SE]

Gerald,
Here is a similar thread that I started in February last year......
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/143461-how-heavy-yours-2.html

Cheers, Craig

[VK3GJM]

Hi Craig,

Brilliant, at least the numbers match. I did not see this post while searching.

Regards

Gerald


Gerald,
Here is a similar thread that I started in February last year......
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/143461-how-heavy-yours-2.html

Cheers, Craig

[kreecha]

Dig, Dig, Dig... Such an old thread.

As part of our research for a D3/D4 we considered options and capacity to fit out our D3/D4.

We recently bought a D3 HSE TDV6. Weighed it at Yandina weigh bridge - 2.94T
- full tank of fuel
- 4x children's car seats
- 4x kids
- me
- my wife
- mitch hitch
- bag of rags and diesel additive
- dual batteries
- GME radio
- water for kids
- wife's handbag
- 1x pram
- APT fabrications side steps
- ARB non-winch bullbar
- kids swimming gear
- phones, ipad, ipod

Just an FYI

[letherm]

Dig, Dig, Dig... Such an old thread.

As part of our research for a D3/D4 we considered options and capacity to fit out our D3/D4.

We recently bought a D3 HSE TDV6. Weighed it at Yandina weigh bridge - 2.94T
- full tank of fuel
- 4x children's car seats
- 4x kids
- me
- my wife
- mitch hitch
- bag of rags and diesel additive
- dual batteries
- GME radio
- water for kids
- wife's handbag
- 1x pram
- APT fabrications side steps
- ARB non-winch bullbar
- kids swimming gear
- phones, ipad, ipod

Just an FYI

I need a trolley to carry my wife's handbag to the car. A man could fit a lot more into a car without said item. :wasntme:


Martin

[Bytemrk]

Dig, Dig, Dig... Such an old thread.

As part of our research for a D3/D4 we considered options and capacity to fit out our D3/D4.

We recently bought a D3 HSE TDV6. Weighed it at Yandina weigh bridge - 2.94T
- full tank of fuel
- 4x children's car seats
- 4x kids
- me
- my wife
- mitch hitch
- bag of rags and diesel additive
- dual batteries
- GME radio
- water for kids
- wife's handbag
- 1x pram
- APT fabrications side steps
- ARB non-winch bullbar
- kids swimming gear
- phones, ipad, ipod

Just an FYI

That's pretty impressive...

I'm significantly over that once I fill fuel tanks minus the wife the kids, the pram and said handbag

[BobD]

Yeah, I wish mine was that light! Don't get a Kaymar rear bar and long range fuel tank or drawers!

[Bulletman]

Reviving an old thread..

I put my D3 on the weigh bridge today and empty except for approx 70ltrs fuel in the Long range tank plus wife in the car = 2800kg.

I did some searching and have found info on kerb weight ranging from 2400kg upto 2650kg..

So can someone tell me what they use as kerb weight also what the GCM is as i am trying to work out a caravan purchase in the future.

Thanks and cheers Bulletman

[Discodicky]

Reviving an old thread..

I put my D3 on the weigh bridge today and empty except for approx 70ltrs fuel in the Long range tank plus wife in the car = 2800kg.

I did some searching and have found info on kerb weight ranging from 2400kg upto 2650kg..

So can someone tell me what they use as kerb weight also what the GCM is as i am trying to work out a caravan purchase in the future.

Thanks and cheers Bulletman

FYI,
Weighed my TDV6 D4 and 20'6" caravan.
Full fuel (servo just down the road from weighbridge) and just me in seat and no additions to vehicle which would affect weight, ie, bog standard.
GCM was 5.64 T and I disconnected the van at the weighbridge and weighed car only which was 2.720kg with me.
I weigh 96 kg.

[Narangga]

Reviving an old thread..

I put my D3 on the weigh bridge today and empty except for approx 70ltrs fuel in the Long range tank plus wife in the car = 2800kg.

I did some searching and have found info on kerb weight ranging from 2400kg upto 2650kg..

So can someone tell me what they use as kerb weight also what the GCM is as i am trying to work out a caravan purchase in the future.

Thanks and cheers Bulletman

Kerb Weight is usually Tare plus full of all fluids but some manufacturers do vary.

According to Redbook mine has a Kerb of 2718 and I can't check the manual til its out of the workshop but I think it says that too. Yours on Redbook is here:

redbook.com.au (https://www.redbook.com.au/cars/details/2008-land-rover-discovery-3-se-auto-4x4-my08/SPOT-ITM-244733/)

That gives the Kerb of 2494, GVM of 3230 & GCM of 6730. HTH

[RobMichelle]

FYI,
Weighed my TDV6 D4 and 20'6" caravan.
Full fuel (servo just down the road from weighbridge) and just me in seat and no additions to vehicle which would affect weight, ie, bog standard.
GCM was 5.64 T and I disconnected the van at the weighbridge and weighed car only which was 2.720kg with me.
I weigh 96 kg.

My d3 with ARB bar & sidesteps fitted weighed in at 2.66 ton and van & car was 5.24ton if that helps any.

Rob

[RobMichelle]

Reviving an old thread..

I put my D3 on the weigh bridge today and empty except for approx 70ltrs fuel in the Long range tank plus wife in the car = 2800kg.

I did some searching and have found info on kerb weight ranging from 2400kg upto 2650kg..

So can someone tell me what they use as kerb weight also what the GCM is as i am trying to work out a caravan purchase in the future.

Thanks and cheers Bulletman

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210119/e92ade2caf07dd587f52eac94df3d5fe.jpg

[Bulletman]

My d3 with ARB bar & sidesteps fitted weighed in at 2.66 ton and van & car was 5.24ton if that helps any.

Rob

That blows me away , i have a stock D3 , no barwork or sidesteps, spare wheel has been taken out and long range tank fitted, and when we weighed it the tank had about 60 ltrs in it. only other thing was a snorkle and a dual battery set up yet my car comes in at 2.80, with no spare wheel and seat 6&7 removed.

Bulletman

[dirvine]

Reviving an old thread..

I put my D3 on the weigh bridge today and empty except for approx 70ltrs fuel in the Long range tank plus wife in the car = 2800kg.

I did some searching and have found info on kerb weight ranging from 2400kg upto 2650kg..

So can someone tell me what they use as kerb weight also what the GCM is as i am trying to work out a caravan purchase in the future.

Thanks and cheers Bulletman
Kerb weight is car with all fluids filled to max. In other words as it left the show room floor with a full tank of fuel in the OEM tank. The reason why there is a range is because the various trim levels add more weight to the car. The GCM (Gross Combined Weight) is the total that a car and the trailer/caravan attached can weigh in total. The reason why yours is above the lowest kerb weight is extra tank in car and passengers, and or extra items you have in the car, beyond a the pov pack model of your Disco.