GVM upgrades for full-size rigs

HOW TO GET MAXIMUM CARRYING AND TOWING CAPACITY OUT OF YOUR 4X4 WITHOUT NEEDING A TRUCK LICENCE

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On a global scale, full-size rigs are big business for auto manufacturers.

All over North America you can't spit without hitting an F-Truck, RAM, GMC or Toyota Tundra (and probably get yourself a black eye for your trouble). Despite being comparatively ungainly, this popularity for big rigs with big engines, big frames and big load capacities makes a lot of sense. Our American cousins tow fifth-wheeler caravans, boats the size of a cruise ship, and multiple vehicle trailers for their toys. In other words, they like to party.

And so do we.

More and more Australians are coming to the 'carrying heavy weight' party. Who doesn't love the convenience of having a full bathroom, enough water to fill a dam, a full laundry and the tinny on the roof of the van? It makes for comfort, convenience and one hell of an adventure. But it all costs weight.

This means it's not too difficult to have a setup that a stock Cruiser or midsize dual-cab won't be able to legally pull, and even if it does it won't be happy about it. You need something bigger. You need a full-size.

We're talking Chevrolet Silverado, RAM, Ford F-Series and even the Toyota Tundra. All vehicles built to haul heavy while providing safety, comfort and a bunch of leftover carrying capacity for a family of five and their dog.

The full-size difference

Full-size utes (or trucks, if we're using the culturally accurate term) are the same as the midsize utes we're used to; they're just around 30 per cent bigger. Bigger chassis rails, bigger diffs, bigger bodies, bigger interiors and bigger dimensions. But crucially, they can also tow and carry more. Or so you'd think.