[Built4thrashing]

Just did some research on the GV and found its only got a tow rating of 450kgs unbraked. Thats SFA. the sierra was rated the same and it was gutless and tiny. Is there any way to increase the towing capacity with out brakes.

[ajsr]

no sorry buddy
not unless you can get an engineer to say so

[christover1]

Electric trailer brakes are cheap and easy, thinking of adding them to mine.

[Joe]

christover1 wrote:

Electric trailer brakes are cheap and easy, thinking of adding them to mine.

That wont increase the tow rating though or will it?

[christover1]

Joe wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Electric trailer brakes are cheap and easy, thinking of adding them to mine.

That wont increase the tow rating though or will it?

Most cars list a tow rating braked and unbraked.
I guess braked tow to be 1200kg, but just a guess

[SuziBlu]

Not sure about the GV, but the 1.6l vitara is 450kg unbraked, or braked, thats from Suzuki Au.

They never tested as its an expense they didn't warrant, thinking most people would not go over that in a small car.

[jimny_timmy]

My 2010 jimny is 450unbraked or 1300 braked

[bailey08]

the GV is actually 1850kg braked, you must be looking at the standard vitara. GV also has a towball rating of 85kg.

I used to tow a jayco camper with mine, about 1400kg and a tow ball weight of 110kg. The tow bar placard said it could have a towball weight of 140kg so with the upgraded suspension it still sat level.

did it no problems, longer larger hills were a problem but being an auto it was just an easy gear change and it would happily sit on 110km+

[Built4thrashing]

Sierra and vitara have an unbraked rating of 450 kgs and 1500kg braked. the later V6 vits got a braked increase to 1850.

What puzzles me is when they upgraded to the GV models the unbraked and braked stayed the same. (450kgs and 1850kgs)

I had to tow my new caravan behind my SQ625 manual GV and it did it easily and stopped without any dramas. (jayco finch 510kg TARE)

When the new shape was released unbraked rating went to550kgs for the 3 door and 700kgs for the 5 door.

The rating must be on the weight and braking capicity of the vehicle.


but i would have thought a V6 GV would have a slightly higher unbraked rating than a 1.3 carby sierra

[tanshi]

probably some thing to do with the new GV not having a chassis.

i tow a car trailer with my GV and no issues. yes its braked though

[SuziBlu]

Built4thrashing wrote:

Sierra and vitara have an unbraked rating of 450 kgs and 1500kg braked. the later V6 vits got a braked increase to 1850.

What puzzles me is when they upgraded to the GV models the unbraked and braked stayed the same. (450kgs and 1850kgs)

I had to tow my new caravan behind my SQ625 manual GV and it did it easily and stopped without any dramas. (jayco finch 510kg TARE)

When the new shape was released unbraked rating went to550kgs for the 3 door and 700kgs for the 5 door.

The rating must be on the weight and braking capicity of the vehicle.


but i would have thought a V6 GV would have a slightly higher unbraked rating than a 1.3 carby sierra

are you sure, Suzuki Australia told me otherwise, 450k braked or unbraked, no difference, for a 1.6l EFI vitara.

[royce]

Yeah Vitaras are 450 (thought it was 500) either way, same as sierras

My vit towbar says 1200kg braked, doesnt mean I am allowed to do that though

[whincup]

Built4thrashing wrote:

Sierra and vitara have an unbraked rating of 450 kgs and 1500kg braked.

x3. sierras are 450 braked

thought i'd read somewhere it was 250 unbraked? anyone know the truth behind that?

[christover1]

I think towing capacity is function of vehicle weight and brake performances.
My 1.6 1993 owners manual says:

[Chop]

Yeah my GV book says exactly the same Chris.

[vitzookman]

i always thought it was 850 un braked ??

[Fatzook]

There are al lot of "I though it was....." comments in this thread.

Unfortunately it doesn't matter what you think the tow rating is. It's whatever is printed in the manual for your vehcile. Nothing more. Those are the figures that it was complied with for Australian roads, and they are the ONLY figures you can legally use.

Want more tow rating? Get a different car.

[Chop]

vitzookman wrote:

i always thought it was 850 un braked ??

XL7 might be more.

[britvit]

I think some of the confusion is due to different towing capacities on overseas models, for example...

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/suzuki.htm

[Built4thrashing]

Chop wrote:

vitzookman wrote:

i always thought it was 850 un braked ??

XL7 might be more.

XL7 is 700kg and 1850kg acording to what is on Redbook.com.au


I was just wondering it the values i found were correct and it seems they are.

Looks like ill have to get some brakes put on the caravan so the GV is allowed to legally tow it.

[christover1]

Even my light weight trailer feels like its pushing me hard on down hills, especially off road.
Don't need brakes, but will probably add some in the future.

[bailey08]

Remember anything over 750kg needs brakes.

[banga]

so the sierra i seen the other day with a car trailer and another sierra on the back was highly illegal

[Built4thrashing]

christover1 wrote:

Even my light weight trailer feels like its pushing me hard on down hills, especially off road.
Don't need brakes, but will probably add some in the future.

Hey chris i found some mechanical brake kits on ebay for $270. Its a complete kit you install yourself.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190584176659 ... 1423.l2649

This is the kit im gonna get. this way any vehicle can use it.

[Fatzook]

banga wrote:

so the sierra i seen the other day with a car trailer and another sierra on the back was highly illegal

Narr. Perfectly safe

[christover1]

Built4thrashing wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Even my light weight trailer feels like its pushing me hard on down hills, especially off road.
Don't need brakes, but will probably add some in the future.

Hey chris i found some mechanical brake kits on ebay for $270. Its a complete kit you install yourself.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190584176659 ... 1423.l2649

This is the kit im gonna get. this way any vehicle can use it.

That would be great on the caravan.
No good for my camper,
as "override" brakes don't work in reverse.
And you have to lock out the mechanism to be able to reverse.
And can't use my off road hitch.
Could be a nuisance in rocking etc off road.
I'll be using some sort of electric brakes.

[kenn]

tanshi wrote:

probably some thing to do with the new GV not having a chassis.

i tow a car trailer with my GV and no issues. yes its braked though

My 09 GV with the 3.2 v6 is rated at 700kg unbraked and 2000kg braked.

[vitzookman]

My " I thought " was from reading the haymeen Reece towbar plate.

[Fatzook]

vitzookman wrote:

My " I thought " was from reading the haymeen Reece towbar plate.

Yeah they are legally required to display the safe working load of the Towbar. However they have no obligation to display the legal tow limit of your vehicle. I guess this is where alot of confusion stems from.

[christover1]

With 31's on my Vitara LWB, 4 wheel discs, and my small trailer loaded,
I still battle to pull up in some situations.
Trailer tends to push me down steep hills,
as I guess the same weight inside the car would.
Brakes for my trailer is probably a good idea.
I have no intention of exceeding the 450kg unbraked capacity.
Theres no way my 1.6 LWB Vitaras engine could pull the braked capacity
of 680kg safely, anyway.