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Privacy PolicyPlan your 4WD build before you spend a dollar on accessories. Calculate how bullbars, canopies, drawer systems, long-range tanks, roof racks and cargo affect your vehicle's payload, GVM and axle loads.
The ClearPath 4WD Weight & Payload Calculator is a free tool that lets you add accessories, passengers, cargo and additional fuel to estimate vehicle mass and payload. Available sourced Australian vehicle specifications provide reference ratings; confirm the exact variant and mass basis. Axle loads require measured baseline axle masses and actual load distances, not a generic accessory category.
Every accessory you add consumes payload. A bullbar might weigh 70–90 kg, a canopy 80–120 kg, a drawer system 40–60 kg, and a long-range tank adds fuel weight on top of the tank itself. Before you know it, a vehicle with a nominal 900 kg payload can have less than 300 kg left for passengers, cargo and towball download. The calculator shows you this before you buy, not after.
Pre-registration planning
Model your accessory list before the vehicle is registered so you can choose the right GVM upgrade.
Post-registration checking
See whether your supplied weights appear within the vehicle, axle and combination limits available to ClearPath.
Choose the $49 Risk Scan for preliminary vehicle-only modification and loading indicators, or the $149 Complete Vehicle Build Assessment for broader build planning. For deterministic axle calculations from your own measured baseline and geometry, use the $29 Detailed Weight Distribution Calculator & Report. Paid products cannot establish missing measurements or provide engineering approval.
Nominal payload is GVM minus the manufacturer’s stated kerb mass, but the usable amount depends on your actual vehicle. A weighbridge reading of the vehicle in a recorded condition provides a better starting point for a fitted touring build. Record fuel, occupants and installed accessories already included in that reading.
An illustrative 3,200 kg GVM vehicle weighs 2,500 kg with its fitted accessories and fuel, but without occupants, loose luggage or a trailer. Add 160 kg of occupants, 190 kg of luggage and 280 kg of towball load: the coupled estimate is 3,130 kg, leaving 70 kg against GVM. Adding a further 100 kg would create a calculated 30 kg exceedance. These are example inputs, not specifications for a particular model.
If the measured starting mass includes a bullbar, canopy, batteries and a full tank, do not add them again. If using brochure kerb mass, check the manufacturer’s fuel and equipment basis. Replacement components require the net change where the removed component was included in the starting mass.
A loaded rear drawer system, spare wheel carrier and towball act at different positions. You can run out of rear-axle capacity while still below GVM. Use measured axle baselines and the towball leverage calculation, then check GCM when a caravan is attached. Build planning belongs with the $149 assessment when modifications and accessory choices need to be considered together.
Free tools help you understand individual checks. Choose the report that matches the decision you need to make.
Australian reference guidance: Queensland towing weights and vehicle selection, towing equipment and road authority guidance by state. Examples above are illustrative calculations. Verify the exact ratings and loaded weights for your setup. See our editorial methodology.
Calculations use manufacturer-published specifications and Australian road authority reference material, with vehicle details organised by model year, configuration and modification status.