2016 200 SERIES CRUISER GXL
Towing capacity : 3500kg Towball maximum : 350kg Kerb weight : 2740kg GVM : 3350kg GCM : 6850kg
At first glance , the above figures look pretty good ! The 200 Series is , after all , a terrific vehicle and an awesome tow tug . So what ’ s the problem ? Well , when hitched to a van loaded up to 3500kg ( which includes the van ’ s loaded ball weight ), in-vehicle payload becomes virtually unworkable .
The key to understanding why is to realise that once hitched up , the caravan ’ s ball weight doesn ’ t magically disappear . It must be accounted for in your calculations . Rather than being supported by the jockey wheel , it ’ s now supported by the towbar . In our example , 350kg has been transferred to the vehicle and it must be considered as in-vehicle payload . Therefore , we have to include it in our GVM calculations .
When we do , the results are a little shocking : the venerable 200 Series is left with a measly 260kg of allowable payload capacity to account for passengers , luggage , and any aftermarket accessories , such as a winch and roof rack .
The best way to calculate the available in-vehicle payload when hitched up is to assess it against both the vehicle ’ s GVM and its GCM .
Against GVM : Remaining invehicle cargo capacity is calculated as GVM minus the kerb weight of the vehicle , minus the maximum towball weight .
Against GCM : Remaining cargo capacity is GCM minus the kerb weight of the vehicle , minus the towing capacity .
But things are about to get more confusing . You see , you ’ d think the answer to these two equations would be the same . But they ’ re not . And that ’ s the case with most tow vehicles on the market . In the case of the 200 Series , when calculating in-vehicle payload against GVM , we ’ re left with a disappointing 260kg . But when we calculate it against GCM , we ’ re left with 610kg .
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