Guide

Overland Trailer Tow Guide

The ADDAX Basecamp V3 weighs 1,800 lb dry and roughly 2,000 lb wet, with a 1,450 lb payload capacity on a 3,500 lb axle. Those three numbers are the starting point for every towing question — but the number that decides whether you can legally and safely tow it is printed in your own vehicle's owner's manual and on its door-jamb sticker.

This guide explains what each rating means, how to check yours, and what a properly set up tow vehicle needs behind it.

Start with the trailer's numbers

ADDAX Basecamp V3 towing-relevant specifications
Dry weight	1,800 lb
Wet weight	≈2,000 lb
Payload capacity	1,450 lb
Axle rating	3,500 lb total (1,750 lb per side)
Brakes	Electromagnetic drum — brake controller required
Suspension	Torsion axles
Tires	29 in all-terrain on 15 in rims, 5 x 5 lug pattern
Ground clearance	17 in
Hitch	Articulating off-road hitch

The four ratings that matter on your vehicle

Maximum trailer weight is the headline number, and it is the one most people quote. It is also the one most often wrong, because it varies by model year, engine, axle ratio, drivetrain and whether the factory tow package was fitted.

Tongue weight rating is the vertical load your hitch and receiver can carry. Expect roughly 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight to land on the ball. On a Basecamp loaded to 2,600 lb, that is somewhere around 260–390 lb — and that weight counts against your vehicle's payload, not its tow rating.

GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the most-missed limit. It caps what the tow vehicle itself may weigh with passengers, cargo and tongue weight included. Heavily modified 4x4s with bumpers, armor, a roof rack and four adults are frequently at GVWR before the trailer is even attached.

GCWR (gross combined weight rating) caps the vehicle and trailer together. On long grades and at altitude, this is the rating that actually governs how the combination behaves.

Tow compatibility by rating class

Rating classes, not per-model claims — confirm your own figure in the owner's manual.
Your vehicle's tow rating	Basecamp V3 at ~2,000 lb wet	Practical notes
Under 2,000 lb	Not suitable	The wet trailer is already at or over the limit with nothing loaded
2,000–3,499 lb	Light loads only	Verify tongue weight and GCWR; expect little margin once water and fuel are aboard
3,500 lb	Comfortable	The common mid-size 4x4 rating; room for a normal camping load
5,000–7,000 lb	Ample	Full payload, long grades and altitude all reasonable
Over 7,000 lb	Far inside limits	Half-ton trucks and full-size SUVs; brake controller still required

What your setup needs

A receiver and ball mount rated at or above your vehicle's maximum trailer weight
A brake controller compatible with electromagnetic drum brakes — required by law in most states at this weight
A wiring harness carrying running lights, turn signals and the brake signal
Safety chains crossed under the coupler
A ball mount that puts the trailer level when loaded, not nose-up or nose-down
Tire pressures set for the loaded condition on both vehicle and trailer
A full-size matching spare for the trailer — included in the All Terrain Package

How to weigh your setup properly

Guessing is how people end up over GVWR. Load the trailer and the vehicle exactly as you would for a trip, including water in the 22-gallon tank, fuel, gear and passengers, then drive to a certified scale.

Weigh the tow vehicle alone first, then the combination. The difference between the vehicle's axle weights hitched and unhitched gives you real tongue weight. Compare each figure against the plate on your door jamb rather than a number from a forum.

Towing off pavement

On pavement, weight and brakes govern. Off pavement, geometry does. A conventional ball coupler binds when the trailer and tow vehicle sit on different planes — the Basecamp's articulating off-road hitch rotates on three axes so the trailer can twist independently of the vehicle across ruts, ledges and side-hills.

Seventeen inches of ground clearance and 29 in all-terrain tires mean the trailer clears what a properly equipped 4x4 clears. The usual limits off-road are your departure angle at the hitch and your own patience with backing up a short trailer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the ADDAX Basecamp V3 weigh?

1,800 lb dry and roughly 2,000 lb wet, with a 1,450 lb payload capacity on a 3,500 lb axle rated 1,750 lb per side.

What size vehicle do I need to tow it?

A vehicle rated at 3,500 lb or more gives comfortable margin at the Basecamp's ~2,000 lb wet weight. Vehicles rated between 2,000 and 3,499 lb can work with a light load, but verify tongue weight, GVWR and GCWR before committing.

Do I need trailer brakes and a controller?

Yes. The Basecamp uses electromagnetic drum brakes, so a compatible brake controller and wiring are required — and most states legally require functioning trailer brakes at this weight.

How much tongue weight should I expect?

Plan on roughly 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight. Load heavy items low and slightly forward of the axle, then verify on a scale rather than estimating.

Does a lift or oversize tires change my tow rating?

They change the practical picture. Lifts, armor and larger tires add weight that reduces available payload, and they raise hitch height, which affects how level the trailer tows. Re-weigh a modified vehicle instead of assuming the factory figure still applies.

Can I tow it at highway speed?

Yes, within legal limits and with a correctly set up hitch, brakes and tire pressures. Torsion axles and the trailer's low profile help, but wind, grade and load all change how the combination behaves — tow to conditions.

Check your fit

See the full Basecamp V3 specification, or talk to a dealer about your specific tow vehicle.

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