TOWING CAPACITY OF SUZUKI MODELS

1) The manufacturer (OEM) tested and certified towing capacity:

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This data is obtained from the manufacturer and forms part of the homologation
requirements and parameters for vehicles that are homologated with towing capacity.
Whilst these values are 100% accurate, they can often fall below or even above the
regulated values of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA). These OEM values are
considered in relation to the local regulated values and should not be quoted as official
figures on their own.

2) The calculated towing capacity and limitations based on the vehicle’s Tare Mass, Gross
Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combination Mass (GCM) as regulated by the NRTA:

Definitions:
Gross Vehicle Mass: The mass of the vehicle (or trailer) in its fully laden state.
Gross Combination Mass: The maximum allowable weight of the fully laden vehicle and
fully laden trailer combined.
Tare Mass: The “dry” weight of the vehicle or trailer in its un-laden state.

The NRTA regulates towing capacity based on the allowable combination payload when
the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is deducted from the vehicle’s Gross Combination
Mass (GCM).

For the regulation, the following simple formula applies:

Towing Capacity = GCM (Gross Combination Mass) – GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)

Further restrictions by the NRTA include the following:

1) A vehicle’s un-braked towing capacity, may not exceed half of the vehicle’s tare
weight up to a maximum of 750kg (total mass of the trailer).
2) A vehicle’s *braked towing capacity my not exceed the vehicle’s total tare weight.
*A braked trailer makes use of a mechanical braking system (usually a spring/cable
mechanism at the coupler) to help increase braking performance when the brakes of the
tow-vehicle is applied.

3) It is important to note that the minimum values for towing capacity after taking the OEM
certified and NRTA regulated values into account should be communicated to customers
when they enquire about the values.

A quick reference guide, containing the regulated values, is included on the following page.
 Regulated
towing
capacity
(un‐
Regulated
towing
capacity
2
braked) ‐ (braked) ‐
Model Variant Kg Kg
Grand Vitara 2.4 MT 750 1615
Grand Vitara 2.4 AT 750 1630
Grand Vitara 3.2 V6 AT 750 1713
Grand Grand Vitara Dune 2.4 MT 750 1615
Vitara Grand Vitara Dune 2.4 AT 750 1630
Grand Vitara Summit 2.4
MT 750 1615
Grand Vitara Summit 2.4
AT 750 1630
Jimny 1.3 MT 350 1060
Jimny 1.3 AT 350 1105
Jimny
Jimny 1.5 GA/GLX MT 350 1095
Jimny 1.5 GLX AT 350 1110
Driver’s License Requirements and Limitations
The AA explains that if a driver possesses the standard Code B licence, they are permitted to only tow
unbraked trailers lighter than 750 kilograms when fully laden. To tow anything heavier than 750
kilograms, a Code EB licence is required. An EB licence is issued for light motor vehicles able to draw a
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trailer or caravan. This licence type enables the holder to tow a trailer or caravan with a maximum GVM
of 3 500 kilograms. Trailers with a GVM that exceeds 750 kilograms must have overrun brakes installed.

Furthermore, a weight of a fully loaded car and trailer should not be higher than the manufacturer's
GCM, while the loaded trailer must not surpass its calculated GVM.

Drivers also need to be aware of the tare (licence weight) requirements for each load. For trailers
weighing 750 kilograms, the tare of the drawing vehicle needs to be twice the weight of the trailer,
which means 1 500 kilograms. A six cylinder 2.5-litre BMW 325 Touring, for example, has a tare of 1 425
kilograms, therefore the driver may not tow a 750 kilogram unbraked trailer. In the case of Code EB
licence holders, the drawing vehicle should have the same weight, or above, as the trailer provided that
the trailer is equipped with a parking brake and a service brake.

Drivers who obtained their licences after the new codes took effect, should also familiarise themselves
with additional road traffic legislation with regards to towing. These include speed limits, stopping
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distance requirements, unique loads restrictions, the towing of more than one trailer, and the transport
of passengers