nice van
@Pete. I had a look at one in the yard (no options) and it was plated at 2025 which made it bang on 2500kg with the load allowance . Im a little nervous now as the Prado is rated to exactly that and don't want to give any chance of a "get out" clause to an insurer. The dealer told me though that they could get it marked at 2500kg if I requested it.
Hi Cheyne 78
I have spoken to the guy and got an email from the Department of Transport. Below is the response regarding the weights and the law. Got it in writing which is good. I have put it below but blanked names for privacy reasons. He wrote that it is the load of the van that matters. He explained on the phone that we tow trailers that are rated ATM 3000kg, but unless it is loaded that does not mean it is 3 tonne. The same goes with caravans.
I to am a bit nervous about the weights though as we are towing with a pajero of 2500kg. It seems unusual that Jayco say the tare weight of this van is 1925kg in the brochure and any options we add are in addition to this weight. I would hardly say a solar panel, and a stereo system and a few other small items are extras that add up to 170 kg as the above post says . I guess it means that towing with both water tanks full might not be possible.
Peter,
The towing capacity of your Pajero is 2500kg, this is the weight of the caravan/trailer and load that it can tow, not what the ATM or GTM of the caravan you wish to tow cannot exceed.
If the caravan has a ATM of 2560kg then proved it is not loaded beyond 2500kg then it can be legally towed by your vehicle.
You could tow a caravan with a ATM of 4000kg behind your vehicle provided the all up weight of the caravan and load does not exceed 2500kg. These are when it is weighed with the caravan standing alone and not hooked on to the tow vehicle.
Hope this helps and if you have any other questions please let me know.
CoOrdinator Vehicle Standards
Dept Planning, Transport & Infrastructure Regency Park South Australia