How easy it is

Thanks for bringing to the the fore again Ken, and a big yes, it's so important to at least be aware of all this, and in your case GCM.

I'm very careful to keep under GVM (and it's not that hard for me) and also load properly.
The tracks I do places a huge stress on the entire vehicle, so don't want loads contributing to getting stuck somewhere with a broken suspension or chassis.

I'm pretty lucky with the PK GVM of 3019kg.
My full desert weight for ~ 7 days, with 225lt fuel and 80lt water, and all gear for two is usually between 2575 and 2630, and quickly decreases even more as we get into the first few days after last fuel.

Before a trip, I take it down to the local bottle / metal recycle yard where I take my recyclables numerous times a year, ask nicely, and they give my set up a quick weight for me :)

As PK said above. We visit the weigh bridge regularly. A mate got pulled up and weighed at a RTA check setup for 4X4 and caravans about 8 months ago. He was the eleventh 4X4 weighed and the first that was legal. He was told one Cruiser was nearly a tonne overweight

Vin plate on my camper says 1500kg total weight. Went to weighbridge today as I have just installed a boat rack and put a 15 hp 2 stroke ( to save weight--4 stroke too heavy to lug about) along with a new 3.7 quintrex outback tinnie. Total weight came in at 1480 whilst still hooked up to car...ball weight 150kg....So looks like I,m around 100kilo over...bugger...more pruning.

WHATS IT WEIGH?

There have been a number of articles lately about the weight of vehicles, loaded up for touring. We have travelled the Middle East and African deserts and Australian Outback and are very cognizant of weight as a negative in off road travel. Every day I see articles for more “must have goodies”. We travel very lightly carrying only what we consider prudent. There a number of off-road manuals on what to take and how to handle potential problems: Sadly, many of the better ones are out of print. They had much practical advice -- What is useful and how to prepare a vehicle for severe travel where there will not be any help coming, etc. I reviewed our vehicles and some others that are similar to gauge what people add on, carry or suggest and why with particular attention to weighs. The following is a listing of things I could identify, in kilograms above tare weight. Most are actual measured weights, some from catalogues or an estimate of the difference between the OEM and “upgraded” equipment. I have listed items as single pieces, so if more than one similar item is carried; shackles for instance, multiply the item weight appropriately. This list is based on two people travelling for 4-6 weeks will minimum top-ups for food. Our experience is that for each additional person the food, bedding, shelter, and clothing requirements increase by 50%. Certainly, this list is not complete, but hopefully will provide a starting point for evaluating your equipment needs and gear weights. The objective of keeping weight down is countered by the need to be able to address incidents on the track. Remember, “Vehicle tools and parts stay with the vehicle; they do not go in the house.”

Fuel at 0.8 per L; Bull Bar,10.0; Rear bumper (with wheel carrier),15.0; Second spare tire/rim, 40.0; Front recovery points, 5.0; Roof Rack (Aluminum),35.0; Roof Top Tent,50.0; Interior Roof Rack,8.0; Bed Slide/Drawers,50.0; Awning,28.0; 12,000 Lb winch + Dyneema Rope,20.0; 12,000 Lb winch + Steel Cable,32.0; small LED front light bar,0.2; Oven 12 Volt Marine,1.5; UHF radios,0.2; Battery Isolator [VSR],nil; LiFePO4 Battery-100 A/Hr,13.0; 2nd Lead battery (Deep Cycle),25.0; DCDC Charger,0.2; 500 W inverter, 0.1; Solar Panel 160W/Controller,16.5 ; Air Compressor and tank,9.0; Water pump, 1.2; 90 L Frig/Freezer,30.0; 40 L Frig/ Freezer,17.0; 10 L Frig/Freezer,5.0; Water tanks 40 L,40.0; Sand Ladders – 4,12.0; First Aid Kit (extensive),5.5; PLB, nil; LPG Tank – 3.5 Kg capacity,5.0; Combination wrench set,1.0; Socket Set (1/2” drive),4.9; Small tools,0.2; Hose splicers and clamps,0.2; Jumper Cables (HD),3.6; Motor oil 1L, 0.8; Fluids-Brake/Steering, 1.0; upgraded size tire from OEM, 5.0;Tire Bars,2.6; Air Hose/Gauge,1.5; Sledge Hammer,1.2; Bow Saw,0.1; Fan Belt (set),0.2; Fuel Filters (set),0.6; Radiator Sealant, nil; Fuses/bulbs, nil; Wheel Nuts/Studs+ Misc Bolts,0.8;Tire Tube +Talcum Powder,1.75; Tire Repair Kit,0.85; 2T Hydraulic Jack + 2 extensions,4.5; 2T Mechanical Jack,4.0; Hi-Lift Jack, 14.0; Shovels (long handle and folding),3.04; Snatch Strap,3.05; Load Spreader Strap,0.4; Tree Strap,1.3; Tow strap,2.9; Dyneema Shackle,0.1; Steel D-Shackle, 1.3; Ultra light aluminum snatch block, 0.7; Std. Steel snatch block, 3.0; Line restraint,0.25; Jack Pad,0.1; 2 average persons (F60/M85), 145.0; Frozen Food,50.0; Emergency Food,20.0; Snacks/Drinks,~10.0; Cooking/Eating utensils,10.0; Clothes/Toiletries for two,30.0; Communications/Navigation,0.2; Chairs/Tables for two, 10.0; Bedding, 1.0; Tent Stakes – 6 plastic, 0.2; Storage Box, 4.0; Tow Bar, 25.0; Chainsaw and supplies, 11.0; All the nils added up, 2.0.

Weights smates it would be nice to hear from somebody who was actually pulled over and checked and fined,instead of my brother inlaws uncles fathers mate. weighed my outfit the other day tug and van GVM 6380kg, Van 3000kg still 200kg in reserve. The tug without the extra 120kg yet to be loaded was on the limit of 3380kg.I don't know what they would do if they pulled me in ? 2 years ago at the Bairnsdale weigh bridge they pulled a caravan in before me and I asked the vic roads guy what the go was and and he just said an education drive and wouldn't give me any other info. Most of the time if the truck is a bit over but the whole outfit is within GVM then they let it through provided the whole unit is clean and looks roadworthy ( my experience ) and you treat them with respect.

Thank you for all your comments if this helps others to consider their weights then that's great. Safe travells everyone enjoy our great country. Thanks Ken

You can over come the weight issue with bathroom scales when packing