2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed QF Auto
The Pajero Sports is a popular car for towing these days and although capable for smaller vans, the low Gross Combination Mass (GCM), reduces its max towing capacity from 3100Kg to 2625Kg when the car is fully loaded. Let’s look at this in detail and see what the numbers look like when towing with a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
The 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed QF Auto has a braked towing capacity of 3,100 kilograms. The GCM (Gross Combination Mass) is the maximum weight of the vehicle, the caravan, and the people and cargo inside the vehicle. The GCM for the 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed QF Auto is 5,400 kilograms. This means that the total weight of the vehicle, the caravan, and the people and cargo inside the vehicle cannot exceed 5,400 kilograms.
Before we get into the example below, the GCM is calculated using:
GCM = GVM + GTM
GCM = Gross Combined Mass
GVM = Gross Vehicle Mass (includes the Tow Ball Mass as the caravan is hitched to the vehicle)
GTM = Gross Trailer Mass (we use the GTM and not the ATM as the Tow Ball Mass is recorded as part the Vehicles GVM)
Example:
Here are some numbers based on the following assumptions:
Vehicle: 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed QF Auto
Max Towing Capacity: 3100Kg
Max Tow Ball Mass: 310Kg
Caravan: Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of 3000Kg
| Name | Kgs | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| GCM | 5400 | Max Combination Weight of Car and Van legally allowed |
| GVM | 2775 | Max Legal Weight of Car fully loaded (Passengers, Accessories, Fuel etc) |
| Kerb Weight | 2210 | Empty Car with a full tank of fuel. No accessories. (As defined by Isuzu) |
| Payload Available | 565 | = GVM – Kerb Weight. Payload is the amount of stuff you can load into the car |
| Add Tow Ball Weight | 300 | Assumes 10% of fully loaded Caravan with an ATM of 3000 kg (8%-15% is average). Mitsubishi states, “For the Pajero Sport this is between 5 and 10 per cent of the maximum towing capacity”. 5% seems low so I am playing it safe at 10%. |
| Payload Remaining | 265 | = Payload – Tow Ball Mass. Remaining for Passengers, Accessories or luggage. This is quite limited as it only allows for 2 passengers, maybe 3 and luggage. |
| So now assume you add 4 people and luggage to the car. | ||
| Reduced Max Towing Capacity | 2625 | If the Pajero Sports and Van are fully loaded, the Max Towing Capacity of 3100kg is over the GCM of 5400 Kg by 375kg. (GVM 2775kg + GTM 2700 Kg = 5475Kg) This means the max you can tow before reaching GCM is only 2625kg. |
So what are the options?
It’s not the end of the world. It all depends on what size van you want to tow and what you have in the car. The payload in the car can be restrictive once you have a driver and passengers, but items can be placed in the van if needed. Just remember the GCM of 5400 kg will limit what size van you can tow.
Happy and safe travels!
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