Mazda BT-50 Vehicle Weights Explained

Why do cars have different weight measurements?

Whether it’s GVM, GCM, Kerb Weight, Tare Mass or Payload, each weight-related figure provides insight into how a vehicle can be used. For example, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) specifies the maximum permissible safe weight of your BT-50 when it’s fully laden with passengers, luggage, fuel and so on.

What’s more, in Australia a vehicle’s maximum GVM determines what type of driver’s license is required to drive it, whether it’s a passenger car license or another class of driver’s license.

Another example is GCM (Gross Combination Mass), which specifies the maximum combined weight allowed for your Mazda BT-50 and its trailer when they’re coupled and ready to drive.

Each of these different weight measures has a purpose and helps guide you in how to best use your Mazda BT-50.

What does Tare Weight (or Tare Mass) mean?

In Australia, Tare Mass refers to the weight of a standard vehicle (without any factory-fitted options or accessories) with all of its key fluids (various oils and coolants) and with only 10 litres of fuel in its tank.

What does Kerb Weight mean?

In Australia, Kerb Weight refers to the weight of a standard vehicle (with any factory-fitted options or accessories) with all of its key fluids (various oils and coolants) and with a full tank of fuel. This weight figure doesn’t include driver and passengers, luggage or cargo in the tray.

The Kerb Weight of the Mazda BT-50 ranges from 1620 – 2213 kilograms, depending on the model variant and drive system (4x2 or 4x4).

What does GVM mean?

GVM, or Gross Vehicle Mass, is the maximum a vehicle is allowed to weigh when it’s fully loaded. This figure is determined by the vehicle manufacturer. GVM is Kerb Mass plus the allowable payload, which includes the weight of all available Genuine accessories (such as bull bar and towbar), the weight of the driver, passengers, luggage, and the tow ball download. You must not exceed your vehicle’s specified GVM as it can make your vehicle unsafe and illegal to drive.

The GVM of the 4x2 Mazda BT-50 model range is 3,000 kilograms and the GVM of the 4x4 Mazda BT-50 model range is 3,100 kilograms.

You can find the GVM for your Mazda BT-50 in either its Owner’s Manual or using the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. Select your vehicle’s details and it will show your BT-50’s GVM figure.

How does a car’s Kerb Weight affect it?

With a maximum permissible GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) set by the vehicle’s manufacturer, a higher Kerb Weight means a lower allowable payload can be carried. This means you should consider what types of items you plan to carry and tow, and how much their combined weights amount to.

The Mazda BT-50 range has been designed to meet a wide spectrum of different work needs and lifestyles. Your local authorised Mazda dealership or Dedicated Mazda Ute Centre can help you choose the right BT-50 pickup or cab-chassis model that best suits you and your needs.

What is payload and how do I calculate it?

Payload is a vehicle’s GVM minus its Kerb Weight. This figure is the maximum allowable weight the vehicle is allowed to carry. This is usually a mix of driver, passengers, vehicle accessories (such as bull bar or tow bar), luggage, cargo in the tray, fuel in the tank, and tow ball download. Whatever the combination of weights you add to your vehicle before you drive it, the weight of the vehicle’s payload plus the vehicle’s Kerb Weight must never exceed the GVM. You must not exceed your vehicle’s specified GVM as it can make your vehicle unsafe and illegal to drive.

Calculating the available payload in your Mazda BT-50 is straightforward. Simply click here to use the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. Follow each step and it will show you how much you can carry in cabin weight and cargo weight. It’s simple to use.

It’s important that the weight of any vehicle occupants, options, accessories, modifications, cargo and tow ball download be included when calculating payload weight.

Does a “1-tonne ute” mean it can carry up to 1-tonne of weight in its tray?

In short, not always. It depends on the vehicle’s GVM, its Kerb Weight, and its resulting available payload capacity.

The Mazda BT-50 range offers an assortment of maximum available payload weights. For example, the 4x4 BT-50 Dual Cab Thunder with an automatic transmission has a payload of up to 887 kilograms, whereas the 4x2 BT-50 Single Cab-Chassis XS with an automatic transmission offers up to 1,236 kilograms in available payload.

Calculating the available payload in your Mazda BT-50 is easy. Simply click here to use the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. Follow each step and it will show you how much you can carry in cabin weight and cargo weight.

It’s important that the weight of any vehicle occupants, options, accessories, modifications, cargo and tow ball download be included when calculating payload weight.

What does GCM mean?

Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is the total permissible combined weight of the vehicle and trailer/caravan being towed, including occupants, fuel and cargo.

This is the maximum total weight allowed for both the vehicle and trailer. It is the combination of the vehicle’s total mass, including all passengers, accessories and cargo, and the trailer’s total mass. It’s important to never exceed your vehicle’s GCM when you are towing.

You can find the GCM for your Mazda BT-50 in either its Owner’s Manual or using the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. It’s simple to use. Select your vehicle’s details and it will show your BT-50’s GCM figure. Follow each step and you will see if your combination of planned cabin weight, cargo weight, and towing weight is within your BT-50’s permissible GCM.

It’s important that the weight of any vehicle occupants, options, accessories, modifications, cargo and tow ball download, for example, be included when calculating GCM.