Towing for Safety

Have you recently bought, or are you planning on buying a caravan?

There are many things to consider before buying … particularly the weight of your caravan and whether your vehicle is suitable for towing it.

Towing a caravan is more than just hitching up and hitting the open road … weight plays a large factor and is often not considered.

Failure to abide by the towing regulations, including maximum loads may result in a fine … or in the case of an accident … possible refusal of an insurance claim.

The three weights you should be aware of before towing a caravan are the GVM, ATM and GCM.

The Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) can be found on your towing vehicle compliance plate. The GVM is the total weight on the 4 wheels of your vehicle with your caravan sitting on the towbar. Both tow vehicle and caravan should be fully loaded and ready for adventure … including people, fuel, esky and the family pet.

To weigh simply drive on to the weighbridge so that all 4 wheels of your tow vehicle are on the scales but not the caravan. The weight shown must NOT exceed the GVM of your vehicle.

The Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the weight of the caravan and is shown on the caravan compliance plate attached to the A frame or in the front boot. It’s the weight of the caravan (unhitched) when it’s carrying the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer.

To weigh drive the caravan onto the weighbridge and the tow vehicle off. Unhook the caravan so that the jockey wheel is also on the weighbridge and all the weight is resting on the scales. The weight must NOT exceed the ATM on the compliance plate.

The Gross Combination Mass (GCM) is the total weight of both vehicles when hitched, as specified by the tow vehicle's manufacturer. If you can find a weighbridge long enough to accommodate both tow vehicle and caravan when hitched … drive on so both are on the scales to get the GCM weight.

If your vehicle doesn't have a specified GCM (vehicle under 4.5t), then it can be assumed it is the sum of the GVM plus the Maximum Towing Capacity.

The other weight that should be considered is the Tow Ball Mass (TBM) which is the amount of weight resting on the towbar. Towbars are rated for a maximum load and this shouldn't be exceeded for safe towing.

Ask us about Tow Ball Weight Scales which are the easiest way to confirm you have not overloaded or incorrectly packed your caravan.

In Summary ...

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the maximum allowable total mass of a fully loaded motor vehicle, including vehicle mass plus the load (e.g. passengers).

Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the total mass of the laden trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by the manufacturer. This includes any mass imposed onto the tow vehicle when the combination vehicle is resting on a horizontal supporting plane (e.g. gas bottles or water tanks).

Gross Combination Mass (GCM) is the maximum laden mass of a motor vehicle plus the maximum laden weight of an attached caravan or trailer. GCM is the rating provided in your tow vehicle’s handbook and must not be exceeded.

Maximum Tow Ball Weight is the maximum allowed weight of the coupling pressing down on the tow vehicle’s towball. This rating is provided in your tow vehicle’s handbook and must not be exceeded including when the vehicle is loaded.

If you’re still unsure about weights, call in and see our team who’ll be able to answer your questions.