Uprating / up plating a 2013 diesel D40

[Simon Willems]

Hi, this is my first post having recently just discovered the forum. I would like to increase the GTW of my pickup. A 2013 twin can 170up diesel (I can give more details of needed). My aim is to use the pickup to tow a fifth wheel. I've read other posts indicating the pickup can handle this and it's achievable however I would like to ask your opinion on the best way to goo about this. Has anybody else done this or for an opinion about this?

Many thanks

 

[Old.Tony]

In Australia there are some things that we can change, but one that we can't change is called the "Gross Combination Mass" or GCM. This is the maximum combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer. There's no mechanism (in NSW at least) that easily allows you to apply to change this. While the "Gross Vehicle Mass" (GVM) can be upgraded with a certificate defining the changes and the new limit, this only applies to the ute, not the trailer nor the combination of both.

It leaves many with the problem: upgrading your GVM to, say 3.5T means your towed trailer's mass has to be no more than 2.5T if you fill the ute to capacity. There's nothing stopping you from having a GVM of 3.5T, but only loading the ute so it's 2.7T (say) and then tow around 3T, but as soon as you load the ute so that it's mass is over the 3T mark you exceed the combination mass and you're at risk of being uninsured in an accident, or being fined if you go through a weighbridge check.

As for the ute handling a heavy load - sure, why not? One of our members has towed (on a race track) an 8 tonne truck. I've towed our 2.5T caravan for somewhere over 150,000km (but I'd say probably under 200,000km). Done without trying to abuse the engine, the car manages to do the job. It's no V8 and it's no electric, but it does the work asked of it.

You might need to talk to one of your local vehicle registration people about the legalities.

 

[Simon Willems]

Thanks, I have heard of the weight being increased but I'm not sure of the specifics. I'm looking into towing a fifth wheel here in the uk. Part of the reason for asking is to I understand what I can do myself. I have heard of people who have been able to do this but as I say I'm not certain on the specifics

 

[tweak'e]

Thanks, I have heard of the weight being increased but I'm not sure of the specifics. I'm looking into towing a fifth wheel here in the uk. Part of the reason for asking is to I understand what I can do myself. I have heard of people who have been able to do this but as I say I'm not certain on the specifics

you would have to find your local modification rules. i don't know what your local certification setup is. local garages may know, possible car clubs or hot rod clubs.

 

[landmannnn]

Thanks, I have heard of the weight being increased but I'm not sure of the specifics. I'm looking into towing a fifth wheel here in the uk. Part of the reason for asking is to I understand what I can do myself. I have heard of people who have been able to do this but as I say I'm not certain on the specifics

You need to upgrade the rear axle to pull a 5th wheeler. It doesn't upgrade the gross weight capacity, just adds about 300kg to the rear axle capacity.
In the UK, SVTech do this.
Be wary about US import 5th wheelers, many are way too heavy for what the Americans call a midsize pickup.

 

[Simon Willems]

You need to upgrade the rear axle to pull a 5th wheeler. It doesn't upgrade the gross weight capacity, just adds about 300kg to the rear axle capacity.
In the UK, SVTech do this.
Be wary about US import 5th wheelers, many are way too heavy for what the Americans call a midsize pickup.

Thanks, I have contacted d SV Tech and they have sent some documents through for me to complete. I've yet to do this, the truck needs a service and MOT first I feel. We're thinking of something with a weight of 9500 lbs gross weight with a hitch weight around 1500 lbs. I have see this setup here in the UK and I'm lead to believe they have had alterations legally carried out but as I say the exact ins and outs I couldn't really say I fully understand. I will speak with SV Tech later this week or perhaps next.

 

[landmannnn]

Thanks, I have contacted d SV Tech and they have sent some documents through for me to complete. I've yet to do this, the truck needs a service and MOT first I feel. We're thinking of something with a weight of 9500 lbs gross weight with a hitch weight around 1500 lbs. I have see this setup here in the UK and I'm lead to believe they have had alterations legally carried out but as I say the exact ins and outs I couldn't really say I fully understand. I will speak with SV Tech later this week or perhaps next.

If the 5th wheel trailer is 9500lbs (4.5 tonnes), it sounds like you are looking at a US import which may be too much too much for the Navara.
There's a few 5th wheeler forums out there who will be your best resource to research it.

 

[Old.Tony]

If the 5th wheel trailer is 9500lbs (4.5 tonnes), it sounds like you are looking at a US import which may be too much too much for the Navara.
There's a few 5th wheeler forums out there who will be your best resource to research it.

And you've just reminded me of something we noticed in Australia with 5th wheelers from the USA ...

Their "house" (mains) wiring is all 110V stuff, and here in Australia we use 240V. The wiring is sometimes considered inadequate. I'd suggest it's more an issue with clearances (including thickness of insulation) than current-carrying capacity, because 1,000 watts at 110V is a little under 10 amps, whereas at 240V it's about 4.5 amps.

If you're getting a 5th wheeler from the USA, be aware of the wiring issue.

 

[Simon Willems]

And you've just reminded me of something we noticed in Australia with 5th wheelers from the USA ...

Their "house" (mains) wiring is all 110V stuff, and here in Australia we use 240V. The wiring is sometimes considered inadequate. I'd suggest it's more an issue with clearances (including thickness of insulation) than current-carrying capacity, because 1,000 watts at 110V is a little under 10 amps, whereas at 240V it's about 4.5 amps.

If you're getting a 5th wheeler from the USA, be aware of the wiring issue.

Well I thought an update would be appreciated. I've spoken with SV Tech and they've confirmed the will increase the gross.train weight of the vehicle and issue a new Vin plate with the new train weight stamped on it. For this there's a fee, a few forms to complete a swell as evidencing the required modifications.

 

[Simon Willems]

And you've just reminded me of something we noticed in Australia with 5th wheelers from the USA ...

Their "house" (mains) wiring is all 110V stuff, and here in Australia we use 240V. The wiring is sometimes considered inadequate. I'd suggest it's more an issue with clearances (including thickness of insulation) than current-carrying capacity, because 1,000 watts at 110V is a little under 10 amps, whereas at 240V it's about 4.5 amps.

If you're getting a 5th wheeler from the USA, be aware of the wiring issue.

We're looking to buy from a dealer who imports them and is authorised by puma and Rockwood, they carry out the necessary work to convert it to UK standard which includes 240 volt electrical aspects as well as driving lights and brakes etc.

 

[Luciano Salt]

Hi Simon, I own a 2013 3l v9x diesel and tow a fifth wheel, the only modification I made to the truck was to add air suspension to the rear axle as I noticed a "nodding dog" tendency whilst towing and this addition damped that out and incidentally improved the everyday driving experience.
Have you considered the fifth wheel company in north Wales as they also sell pre owned as well as new and these are designed to roll on European roads.
I have one of the smaller dreamseeker models and have happily towed it for approx 20000miles so far.

 

[Simon Willems]

Hi Simon, I own a 2013 3l v9x diesel and tow a fifth wheel, the only modification I made to the truck was to add air suspension to the rear axle as I noticed a "nodding dog" tendency whilst towing and this addition damped that out and incidentally improved the everyday driving experience.
Have you considered the fifth wheel company in north Wales as they also sell pre owned as well as new and these are designed to roll on European roads.
I have one of the smaller dreamseeker models and have happily towed it for approx 20000miles so far.

hi Luciano, that's rr Really encouraging. We have had a look at the dreamseeker and the build quality of them is outstanding,if they were to make a layout with a bulbous I think we would be really interested. There's a company called CCRV whom are just down the road from us and specialise in Pumas and Rockwoods. The Puma 289 and the Puma 286 are favourites with the 289 ahead slightly but I'm not certain if this could be towed. One thing I've noticed is the cargo carrying capacity on these is huge and as we would only use around half of this there's a bit of room with The weight calculations I believe.

 

[Simon Willems]

Hi Simon, I own a 2013 3l v9x diesel and tow a fifth wheel, the only modification I made to the truck was to add air suspension to the rear axle as I noticed a "nodding dog" tendency whilst towing and this addition damped that out and incidentally improved the everyday driving experience.
Have you considered the fifth wheel company in north Wales as they also sell pre owned as well as new and these are designed to roll on European roads.
I have one of the smaller dreamseeker models and have happily towed it for approx 20000miles so far.

Our of interest, which hitch are you using?

 

[Old.Tony]

Wow, the Puma 289 tips the scales at 4,694kg. Even empty it's 3,805kg.

You might be able to do it with a lazy axle to increase the max loading (because there are limits on a per-wheel basis). You'd need to check with your local vehicle registry. Here in Australia I doubt we'd ever get permission to run that sort of weight behind a 3-T rated vehicle.

 

[landmannnn]

From a UK/EU perspective double cab pickups can generally be up-plated to 7T Gross.
So yes, if the trailer was fully loaded to 4.67T it would be overweight considering the 2.1T plus passengers for the tow vehicle.
I've seen a few on long hills, as you can guess they go pretty slowly.

 

[Simon Willems]

Wow, the Puma 289 tips the scales at 4,694kg. Even empty it's 3,805kg.

You might be able to do it with a lazy axle to increase the max loading (because there are limits on a per-wheel basis). You'd need to check with your local vehicle registry. Here in Australia I doubt we'd ever get permission to run that sort of weight behind a 3-T rated vehicle.

I've not heard of a lazy axle, I'll look into this. I do agree with you that it's to much trailer for the navara. SV Tech will up plate the navara to 6500kg. We.don't run our current caravan a lot more than its dry weight, perhaps 300kg more give or take. In the USA I think i he common to have some water in the ranks as well which we wouldn't do, all the same the 286 I think is more suitable for us. Thanks for the info on the last axle, I'll take a look know.

 

[Simon Willems]

I've not heard of a lazy axle, I'll look into this. I do agree with you that it's to much trailer for the navara. SV Tech will up plate the navara to 6500kg. We.don't run our current caravan a lot more than its dry weight, perhaps 300kg more give or take. In the USA I think i he common to have some water in the ranks as well which we wouldn't do, all the same the 286 I think is more suitable for us. Thanks for the info on the last axle, I'll take a look know.

Ah yes, I know what you mean, they are quite common here in the UK too.

 

[Old.Tony]

In the USA I think i he common to have some water in the ranks as well which we wouldn't do

I would suggest that having SOME water is vital. Had a misfortune (previous car) of losing the coolant - burst hose - and after repairing the hose, I had to go hunting for water because we were in the habit of emptying the water tanks for towing home (to save fuel).

I haven't done that since, and it paid dividends when I burst a radiator hose about 20km out of Bathurst. We stopped, got a new hose delivered (by a friend, the NRMA refused to help us despite being a member for 33 years and I am a member no longer) and filled the radiator from the caravan's tank.

Our new vehicle uses tank water to flush the toilet (there's no separate flush tank, it just draws from the main tank) so emptying the tanks isn't an option at all.