Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L: slide-on camper payload

Name: Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L Australian vehicle mass and payload records
Creator: Beyond RV

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L has a recorded GVM of 12,000 kg. Chassis-cab mass is 6,600 kg to 6,800 kg; payload calculated as GVM minus that mass is 5,200 kg to 5,400 kg across 2 recorded variants. After a stated 390 kg allowance for occupants, accessories and gear, the remaining body and camper load allowance is 4,810 kg to 5,010 kg. [1]

What the allowance assumes

We subtract 160 kg for occupants, 150 kg for accessories and 80 kg for luggage and gear: 390 kg total. These are assumptions, not measured weights. Published mass bases differ; some already include a driver or fuel. Avoid counting those twice when entering your actual weights.

This is remaining mass allowance, not an approved camper dry weight. Allow for any excluded tray or body, mounting frame, water and camper equipment. No camper fitment verdict is available without verified camper mass, dimensions and centre of gravity.

Change the assumptions in the weight calculator. Enter your occupant, accessory and gear weights there; these assumptions are not automatically filled.

Recorded variants, highest calculated payload first

Model years: not specified in the source. Match your exact variant and mass basis. “Verified” describes the research record, not approval for a camper.

All figures in kilograms unless stated. Sources and review status apply to each row.
Variant / year	GVM / GCM	Chassis-cab mass	Payload / allowance	Tray / axle limits	Source and caveats
UL 1700 L cargo, without winchYear not specified · day cab · 4x4Calculate UL 1700 L cargo, without winch	12,000 kgGCM: 24,500 kg	6,600 kgUnladen mass with the Army cargo tray fitted, from the EMEI data summary. Front and rear axle masses sum to the stated total.Front: 3,810 kg Rear: 2,790 kg	Calculated: 5,400 kgPublished body payload: Not publishedAfter 390 kg: 5,010 kgArithmetic: cannot cross-check	Standard tray included in kerb mass.Front axle limit: 5,300 kg Rear axle limit: 7,000 kgRear axle headroom before body and loads: 4,210 kgTorsionally flexible ex-service chassis. A camper body needs a three-point or equivalent subframe that lets the chassis articulate. Never hard-mount a box to this chassis.	[1] EMEI Vehicle G 600 Issue 3: Truck, Cargo, Medium, MC2 - Unimog, Data SummaryIssue 3, Feb 09, paragraph 6 (Mass) and paragraph 5 (Dimensions), page 2source verifiedBody dimensions given are the internal dimensions of the fitted Army cargo tray (4,050 x 2,375 x 500 mm), not a body-builder maximum. The EMEI describes the role as carrying a five tonne load, which is 400 kg below the 5,400 kg the mass arithmetic gives; the difference covers crew, fuel and kit. Ex-service vehicles are re-plated and modified individually: verify GVM, axle limits and tare against the compliance plate and a weighbridge ticket for any specific vehicle.Australian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Instruction, authorised by command of the Chief of Army, held by Beyond RV. Covers the ex-service UL 1700 L. Offline document: a reader cannot check it online. Mass figures reconcile internally, with front and rear axle masses summing to the stated total on both winch configurations.
UL 1700 L cargo, with winchYear not specified · day cab · 4x4Calculate UL 1700 L cargo, with winch	12,000 kgGCM: 24,500 kg	6,800 kgUnladen mass with the Army cargo tray fitted, and a winch, from the EMEI data summary. Front and rear axle masses sum to the stated total.Front: 4,060 kg Rear: 2,740 kg	Calculated: 5,200 kgPublished body payload: Not publishedAfter 390 kg: 4,810 kgArithmetic: cannot cross-check	Standard tray included in kerb mass.Front axle limit: 5,300 kg Rear axle limit: 7,000 kgRear axle headroom before body and loads: 4,260 kgTorsionally flexible ex-service chassis. A camper body needs a three-point or equivalent subframe that lets the chassis articulate. Never hard-mount a box to this chassis.	[1] EMEI Vehicle G 600 Issue 3: Truck, Cargo, Medium, MC2 - Unimog, Data SummaryIssue 3, Feb 09, paragraph 6 (Mass) and paragraph 5 (Dimensions), page 2source verifiedThe winch adds 200 kg over the unwinched vehicle and moves mass forward onto the front axle. Body dimensions given are the internal dimensions of the fitted Army cargo tray, not a body-builder maximum. Ex-service vehicles are re-plated and modified individually: verify against the compliance plate and a weighbridge ticket.Australian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Instruction, authorised by command of the Chief of Army, held by Beyond RV. Covers the ex-service UL 1700 L. Offline document: a reader cannot check it online. Mass figures reconcile internally, with front and rear axle masses summing to the stated total on both winch configurations.

Rear axle headroom is the published limit minus the recorded chassis-cab rear mass, where both exist. The body, subframe and loaded camper consume this margin; front axle, tyres and load distribution still need checking.

GVM upgrade arithmetic

If GCM stays unchanged, each extra kilogram of loaded vehicle mass leaves one kilogram less under GCM for a trailer. The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L table uses published GCM minus hypothetical GVM; it does not certify an upgrade or override the published towing limit. No certified upgrade figures are recorded. The increments below are illustrative scenarios, not available or approved upgrades. They assume the vehicle is loaded to the stated hypothetical GVM and GCM stays unchanged.

Combination-mass allowance for a trailer at full GVM, before towing and other limits
Variant	Published GCM	At stock GVM	GVM +500 kg	GVM +1000 kg	GVM +1500 kg	Published braked towing limit
UL 1700 L cargo, without winch · year unspecified · day cab · 4x4Variant and source [1]	24,500 kg	12,500 kgGVM 12,000 kg	12,000 kgHypothetical GVM 12,500 kg	11,500 kgHypothetical GVM 13,000 kg	11,000 kgHypothetical GVM 13,500 kg	12,500 kg
UL 1700 L cargo, with winch · year unspecified · day cab · 4x4Variant and source [1]	24,500 kg	12,500 kgGVM 12,000 kg	12,000 kgHypothetical GVM 12,500 kg	11,500 kgHypothetical GVM 13,000 kg	11,000 kgHypothetical GVM 13,500 kg	12,500 kg

A negative result means the hypothetical vehicle mass already exceeds GCM. A positive result is not permission to tow that mass: the manufacturer's towing rating, towbar, towball load, axle limits and actual certification also apply.

Manufacturer sources and currency

These are stored research figures, not a live check of current specifications. Access dates below identify when each source was recorded.

EMEI Vehicle G 600 Issue 3: Truck, Cargo, Medium, MC2 - Unimog, Data Summary — Australian Army (EMEI). Offline document, not web-retrievable. Accessed 2026-09-05.
Australian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Instruction, authorised by command of the Chief of Army, held by Beyond RV. Covers the ex-service UL 1700 L. Offline document: a reader cannot check it online. Mass figures reconcile internally, with front and rear axle masses summing to the stated total on both winch configurations.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L payload questions

What is the payload of a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L?

How much can a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L carry with a slide-on camper?

The calculated allowance is 4,810 kg to 5,010 kg after 160 kg for occupants, 150 kg for accessories and 80 kg for gear. Any tray or body excluded from the recorded mass, camper water and camper equipment still have to be allowed for. This is not a camper fitment verdict.

Does a GVM upgrade reduce a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1700L's towing capacity?

Check your actual weights in the calculator

This tool provides an estimate only. Final suitability depends on your exact vehicle variant, compliance plate, manufacturer specifications, towbar rating, axle limits, tyre ratings, accessories, real loaded weights and certified weighbridge results. Beyond RV weighs your vehicle at the factory before build, and those figures decide the final answer.