SHOCK WAVES....Weighing our Rig, how painful can it be? Prepping for Our Outback Adventure

Getting Thor and Stellar Weighed - Essential Prepping for Caravan Adventures.

The countdown is well and truly on for our epic Uluru Outback Trek, and with just four weeks to go, it was time to tackle one of the most important safety steps of trip preparation — getting the whole rig weighed.

A Mobile Weigh In Provider - who met us in Noosa to do the Weights. Exceptional Service.

Now, we’re the first to admit, weighing your 4WD and caravan might not be the most glamorous part of trip planning. But it is absolutely critical — especially when you’re heading off-grid, loaded to the hilt, with new gear, extra fuel, and all the creature comforts that turn a tough outback trek into a comfortable adventure.

For us, this was our first long remote trek with Thor (our trusty 200 Series LandCruiser, who came with a GVM upgrade) and Stellar (our off-road caravan) fully loaded — and this time, there was more to consider:

• We had an extra passenger on board.

• Our long-range fuel tank was filled to the brim for the first time — adding an extra 180kg just in fuel alone!

• We were carrying additional water for off-grid camping.

• Plus, all the recovery gear, tools, food, clothes, and miscellaneous bits that tend to sneak in when you’re prepping for weeks away in remote Australia.

Why Weighing Your Rig Matters

If you’ve done any research into towing, you’ll know there are strict weight limits for both your vehicle and your caravan — and for good reason. Exceeding these can be dangerous, not to mention illegal. Overloading affects braking, handling, tyre wear, and your ability to stay safe — particularly on the rough, unpredictable roads of the outback.

There are a few key weight limits to check:

✅ GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): The maximum legal weight of your 4WD when fully loaded.

✅ ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass): The maximum loaded weight of your caravan.

✅ GCM (Gross Combination Mass): The maximum total weight of your 4WD and caravan combined.

✅ Tow Ball Weight: The downward force your caravan applies to your tow vehicle — crucial for stability.

We knew with the extra passenger, fuel, water, and gear, we were pushing close to these limits — so booking a weigh-in wasn’t optional. It was a must.

Front Left Axel scale.

The Results — And the Shock!

We were prepared for some adjustments, but nothing prepared us for the shock we got. Thor — our 200 Series LandCruiser who came to us with a GVM upgrade already — was significantly overweight. And I don’t mean just over by a few kilos… I mean, seriously over.

Suddenly, our dream adventure was in jeopardy. Non-compliance doesn’t just mean risking a fine — it means your insurance is void, your setup is unsafe, and you’re putting lives at risk. There was no way we could hit the road like this.

The only solution? A major Lovells GVM Upgrade to increase Thor's capacity to 4,200kg, boosting both the front and rear axle limits. But with just four weeks until departure, pulling this off felt impossible — and the $10,000 price tag didn’t exactly help the stress levels.

But when you're determined, miracles happen. I went into focused action mode. Within four days, I:

✔ Sourced a Lovells GVM kit from Melbourne.

✔ Secured a booking with the legends at TJM Maroochydore.

✔ Organised a personal loan to cover the costs.

Phew! The trip was back on… but only just.

Thor & Stellar (Stelltor) on the scales. Scales report to a computer, which, with the technician's skill, pumps out a very detailed report. The report highlghts what's compliant and what's not. The key is to have a specialist who can then give you good advice as to the best ways to rectify anuy issues identfied.

What About Stellar the Van?

Stellar wasn’t in the clear either. The van was barely within the weight limit, and carrying a full load of water was going to push us over. The Weigh It Right expert suggested getting an engineer involved to assess whether an ATM upgrade was possible.

Thankfully, after a thorough inspection, we were able to have an additional 170kg of ATM signed off — enough to make Stellar compliant and safe for the trip.

Roger and the specialist are reviewing the printed off report. Great advice given, GOLD!

A Lesson in the Hidden Costs

To say the entire experience was stressful is an understatement. At one point, we thought the whole adventure — 12 months of planning — was about to be steamrolled by weight issues.

And sure, no one loves forking out thousands of dollars on upgrades you can’t see, but they’re critical. I joked with the Weigh It Right expert that it felt like going to the dentist — great service, but a smiling assassin! The bill stings, you walk away lighter (in the wallet, at least), and the benefits are hidden beneath the surface… but they’re vital.

Peace of Mind Moving Forward

The silver lining? Now we’re set up properly — compliant, insured, and safe — for all future adventures. These are the things that need to happen before a true maiden voyage, especially when you’re tackling Australia’s vast, unforgiving outback.

It was stressful, expensive, and nearly derailed the trip… but it reinforced a hard truth: you can’t shortcut safety.

Bring on Uluru — Thor and Stellar are finally good to go!

Stay tuned for the next part of our Uluru Outback Trek series as we edge closer to hitting the road.