Axle load capacities are sometimes overlooked

Axle load capacities are sometimes forgotten when people are taking a glance at their weights or are out there for a new tow vehicle.

People quite often think about GVM, TBM, ATM & GCM however forget to have a look at axle load rankings. I have weighed 4×4’s even with GVM upgrades which have failed axle weight scores. Vehicle manufactures have maximum rankings for each entrance and rear axles on their vehicles.

We sometimes see front axle weights overloaded however rather more common with the rear axle weights. When we consider that weight applied to the tow ball (TBM) is multiplied by 140% – 150% to the rear axle we can see why. Also, passengers, luggage, gasoline and so forth. all contribute to axle weights.

When buying a new or used car to tow a caravan or giant trailer, axle weights ought to always be a serious consideration. If you’re getting a GVM upgrade ensure that axle capacities are being elevated as part of that upgrade… not all are.

A lot of people say to me… I should get a RAM. Something to contemplate with the RAM is axle load ratings…the earlier 1500 RAMs had a most axle load of 1770kg that has now been elevated with the newer models to 1860kg, still not nice for a car that has a braked towing capacity of 4500kg.

They still get into trouble with rear axle weights when hitching a van and putting a number of issues in the ute tub. But its not just the RAM, the Chev Silverado 1500 LTZ has a maximum load rating on the rear axle of 1724kg (even lower than the RAM).

Previous era Ford Ranger Wildtrack is 1850kg rear axle capacity, same technology Ford Raptor is 1580kg rear axle capacity but additionally a decreased towing capability. Isuzu Dmax and its twin the Mazda BT50 (2023) rear axle capacity is 1910kg. Toyota LC200 sequence Landcruiser has a rear axle capability of 1950kg.

I truly have weighed several LC200 collection Landcruisers with a GVM upgrade that have nonetheless failed their rear axle ratings as their axle load ranking had not been elevated as a half of the GVM improve. Axle load capacities are often overlooked , fridges, tow ball mass (TBM), gas, folks all contribute to the load on the rear axle.

Finding these axle capacities may be very troublesome with some manufactures and, in some circumstances, almost unimaginable. So do your homework earlier than that expensive purchase.

This blog just isn’t designed to offer you all the information relating to all totally different autos but quite to make you focus on rear axle capacities. Something that I hope you’ll give critical consideration.

Safe Travels

Craig