It's really just common sense - vehicle loading, but, the majority of people just have no idea, or just do not care. Plenty of people start out with a van of some sort, then after a couple of years "upgrade" their van to a newer van with more bling and extras...and weight...but don't do anything about the old tug.
As with Drover, I am all over the weights of my Jeep and van. Though being the van is not the block of flats type, a Jayco Journey Outback poptop, van weight is quite ok, though could do with an extra 100kg of payload in reality.
But...the steel ARB Bar, spotlights, and 10,000lb Smittybilt winch on the Jeep add around 115kg 450 millimeters in front of the front axle. Then the full length Chief Roof Rack is quite heavy, likely around 35kg, plus the awning. I took all the bash plates off as there was easily another 40kg in them as well. The drawers in the back full of spares and tools adds another 35kg over the rear axle as well. It's ok, but only just with 2 bods on board and a full tank of diesel. When I add all the touring stuff such as the full fridge and drinkies, I am over weight. Van is ok, until I add the gen set to the front boot then I have a towball weight problem adding too much to the rear axle. I then need to adjust how much water I carry in the van tanks as full they add 160kg.
It is always a juggling act...I do have a small set of portable scales I use to check axle weights which are reasonably accurate which assists...
