Overlanding setups

The Jimny can take you a long way, but it cannot carry a lot. Weight, not ambition, sets the size of your setup. Build it in layers, weigh it, and add things only when you have room.

These notes cover the 5-door Jimny. The weights below are rough and typical, so weigh your own gear. Check your compliance plate for your own figures, because they vary by market.

By Gypsy Overlanding Family ®

Three setups against the payload Three bars drawn to scale against a payload of about 345 kilograms. A weekend setup of 245 kilograms, a week-long setup of 314 kilograms, and a fully kitted setup of 449 kilograms that goes over the payload. Weekend, two people: 245 kg Week-long: 314 kg Fully kitted: 449 kg payload about 345 kg over
Three setups drawn to scale against a payload of about 345 kg. The fully kitted setup goes over, which is the lesson of this page.
  • A weekend away
  • A week on the road
  • Everything, and the part over the limit

The short answer

Your payload is the limit, and it is small. Passengers, water, fuel, camping gear and accessories use it up quickly. Start light, add in layers, and weigh the loaded car before you head out for a long trip.

Build in layers

  • A weekend setup that fits comfortably
  • A week-long setup that adds a fridge and power
  • An expedition setup only if you have the payload

Keep an eye on

  • Total weight against your payload
  • Where the weight sits, low and central
  • Fuel range, with a generous margin
  • Springs and tires that suit the load

Know your numbers

Payload is the gross vehicle mass (GVM) minus the kerb weight. These are published figures for the Australian-market 5-door. Your plate may differ.

5-door figures to keep in mind
ItemFigure
Gross vehicle mass (GVM)1,545 kg (the 3-door is 1,435 kg)
Kerb weightabout 1,185 to 1,200 kg
Payloadabout 345 to 360 kg
Fuel tank40 L
Claimed fuel rangeabout 580 to 625 km, which a loaded car in low range will not match
Towing1,300 kg braked, 350 kg unbraked

Indian-market press reports put the 5-door's gross weight at just over 1.5 tonnes. Use the plate on your own car, and remember that a trailer's ball weight and a roof load both count against your limits.

Three layers of setup

A weekend away

Two people, a tent or swag, a simple kitchen, 20 L of water and the recovery basics from the recovery guide. It fits easily, and it is where most trips should start.

A week on the road

Everything above, plus a compressor fridge with an auxiliary battery, a little spare fuel and a roof rack for light, bulky items. This comes close to the payload, so watch it.

Fully kitted

Add a rooftop tent, a bull bar and winch, and underbody protection, and a Jimny quickly passes its payload. Every accessory adds weight on top of the passengers and gear. Most owners at this level choose what to leave behind, or look at an approved weight upgrade where one exists.

Build your weight budget

Pick a starting setup, then tap items to add or remove them. Weights are rough and typical, so weigh your own.

GVM minus kerb weight, from your plate

Start from (3 to try)

Add or remove

Your load

Total weight
-
Payload
-
Left over
-

Packing and weight distribution

  • Keep heavy items low and central. Water, tools and the fridge belong low, between the axles.
  • Keep the roof light. Roof loads raise the centre of gravity and the Jimny is already narrow and short.
  • Secure everything. Loose gear becomes a projectile in a roll or a hard stop.
  • Mind the tailgate. Avoid hanging heavy accessories where the hinges carry the load.
  • Balance front and rear. A heavy bull bar and winch needs matching springs and a sensible load behind it.

Fuel, water and power

Fuel

With a 40 L tank, the claimed range is around 580 to 625 km. Heavy loads, sand, mud and low-range crawling all use much more fuel, so plan with a generous margin and know where you can fill up. Carry extra fuel only in a proper can, and count its weight.

Water

One litre weighs one kilogram, so water is often the heaviest thing you carry. Plan for around 4 L per person per day for drinking and basic cooking, and carry only what the trip needs.

Power

A compressor fridge with an auxiliary battery is the biggest power user. Choose a fridge that suits your trips, and add solar only if you will really use it, because every battery and panel adds weight.

Suspension and tires for the load

A loaded Jimny needs springs chosen for its real weight, and tires with enough load capacity. See lift kits and suspension and tire size and gearing. Bigger tires and a heavy load also change your gearing, which matters for low range. See low-range use.

Stronger springs do not raise your legal limit. Your GVM is set by the maker unless a certified upgrade applies where you live. Check your local rules and your insurance before you rely on one.

Common mistakes

  • Never weighing the loaded car. Guesses are almost always low.
  • Forgetting the passengers. They are part of the payload.
  • Counting accessories as free. A bull bar, winch and rack come out of your payload.
  • Loading the roof. It makes the car top-heavy.
  • Carrying too much water. It is easy to overpack, and it is heavy.
  • Trusting the claimed fuel range. Low range and heavy loads use far more.
  • Choosing springs for an empty car. The rear sags under a real load.
  • Packing loose. Unsecured gear is dangerous in a hard stop.
A final word. Overloading harms braking, steering, tires and stability, and can breach legal limits and void insurance. The weights here are rough and typical. Weigh your own car and gear, and follow your plate, your owner's manual and the rules where you live.