JoelDespite the funny feature image, towing is pretty serious business! This article is more about the practical and personal side to towing. Throughout our trip, we have seen a number of rolled caravans and vehicles. It comes down to us all being educated in all aspects of safe towing practices 🙂
We've Entered a New Era of Travel
We definitely don’t have to convince anyone that Covid has changed the way the world functions – and perhaps one of the biggest changes in Australia has been the travel industry.
On the roads, we are seeing more domestic travelers than ever before! It has been a crazy time in this world, and the constant process of coming in and out of lockdowns and vaccine rollout – it has gotten our nation stressed. People need a break. Personally, coming from a major Australian city, we needed a sense of freedom again.
To Tow, or Not to Tow - That is the Question...
So, you’re choosing your set up for your weekend trips, month away or for the big lap of Australia. You’ve settled on a caravan or camper trailer – and good choice! Everyone’s budget and style is different, but there’s no denying that a caravan or camper trailer is a pretty comfortable way to travel.
But wait! Before heading to the showroom to pick out a beautiful new caravan or camper trailer – do you have the right vehicle to tow it? Do you have the necessary experience? Do you need on road, semi off road or off road trailer or caravan? Who can insure it? Do you have the knowledge to ensure it is safe each time you tow it?
So many questions…
We aren’t here to tell you which vehicle or caravan to buy, we are here to simply help put the right questions in your head as you make the decision.
Towing Courses
Whether it is your first time towing, or you are quite a veteran – we cannot underemphasize the importance of a towing course for ALL driving members of your family.
Caravan Towing Tuition is an example of a towing and weighing service in the Brisbane Region. We spent some time talking to Wayne, the owner, about the importance of towing and vehicle weights.
Some points he provided:
- Learn about weight compliance. Vehicle and caravan/trailer.
- Drivers must comprehend their own towing ability.
- Become proficient in reversing until it becomes second nature.
- Be aware that accessory upgrades on cars and caravans can quickly make your set up illegal.
- With the increase in travel, perhaps some form of mandatory E-Learning or course should be implemented.
- Scope out parking and camping arrangements before driving in and potentially getting stuck.
- Owners should know how their electronic brake controllers works.
- Anything over two tonne should definitely have a double chain.
- Consider strongly in using a 360 degree hitch.
- If you are travelling with a partner, learn a system to communicate when reversing or parking a caravan/trailer. Walkie-talkies can be a good investment.
Learn more at Caravan Towing Tuition.
Points to Consider
Which one first – Caravan or Tow Vehicle?
Or you mean, which came first – chicken or the egg? If you already have a vehicle that you want to travel with, base your caravan/trailer purchase off what is SAFE and LEGAL once loaded and set up for travel. If you plan on buying both – remember that each component dictates the other.
Understand Your Weights
Check this out from Pedders on weights, suspension and other towing factors.
One thing that we definitely believe is that your tow vehicle should be the same weight or heavier than what you are towing 🙂
An important point to remember is that an insurance company will not cover you for an overloaded vehicle. In the event of any accident, an insurance company may have your vehicle and caravan collected (even in scattered parts) and weighed. Other than the main reason of SAFETY, this is another major point!
Vehicle Comparison
Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 922kg
Kerb weight: 2278kg
GVM: 3200kg
GCM: 6000kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
GWM Ute Cannon-X key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 1050kg
Kerb weight: 2100kg
GVM: 3150kg
GCM: 5555kg
Max towing capacity: 3000kg
Max tow ball download: 300kg
Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 970kg
Kerb weight: 2130kg
GVM: 3100kg
GCM: 5950kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
Jeep Gladiator Overland key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 527kg
Kerb weight: 2104kg
GVM: 2631kg
GCM: 5080kg
Max towing capacity: 2721kg
Max tow ball download: 272kg
LDV T60 LUXE key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 815kg
Kerb weight: 2005kg
GVM: 2950kg
GCM: 5950kg
Max towing capacity: 3000kg
Max tow ball download: 300kg
Mazda BT-50 GT key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 1065kg
Kerb weight: 2035kg
GVM: 3100kg
GCM: 5885kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
Mitsubishi Triton GSR key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 901kg
Kerb weight: 1999kg
GVM: 2900kg
GCM: 5885kg
Max towing capacity: 3100kg
Max tow ball download: 310kg
Nissan Navara ST-X key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 1024kg
Kerb weight: 2142kg
GVM: 3150kg
GCM: 5910kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
SsangYong Musso Ultimate key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 790kg
Kerb weight: 2192kg
GVM: 2982kg
GCM: 5650kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
Toyota HiLux SR5 key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 1026kg
Kerb weight: 2174kg
GVM: 3200kg
GCM: 5650kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
Volkswagen Amarok Highline V6 TDI 580 key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 836kg
Kerb weight: 2147
GVM: 3080kg
GCM: 6000kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 300kg
Toyota HiLux SR5 key weight/towing specs:
Payload: 1026kg
Kerb weight: 2174kg
GVM: 3200kg
GCM: 5650kg
Max towing capacity: 3500kg
Max tow ball download: 350kg
Weight Adds Up Quickly!
For example, if you purchase a 200 series Land Cruiser and put your family in, fill the fuel tank up and install a Bull Bar, you are probably illegal already. That’s why it is so important to understand the weights. Research GVM/GCM upgrades ahead of time.
In terms of that example, remember, that’s without a rear bar, second spare, fridge, second battery, scrub bars, side steps, long range fuel tank drear drawers, food, water and everything else that is often in a 4WD set up for travelling.
And the same can go for loading up the caravan – a few items, recovery gear, push bikes, spare fuel etc – weight adds up!
Caravans will also come with their own specifications. Here are two examples:
2021 JB Caravans Gator X
Tare weight: 2281kg
ATM: 2800kg
Ball weight (Tare): 214kg
MDC XT17HRT OFFROAD CARAVAN
Tare weight: 2790kg
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 258kg
This excerpt has been taken from REDARC:
What can I actually tow with my vehicle?
Let’s say you have a tow vehicle with a GVM of 3,200 kg, what is the maximum Trailer Mass TM for the caravan? Or in other words what can you Tow?
When working out what you can tow, a simple equation to remember is this GCM – VM = TM.
The GCM, minus the vehicle mass, is what’s left for the trailer mass.
So, let’s put that into practice.
How to work out maximum combination mass
The Vehicle
Kerb Weight (KW) | 2,250 kg |
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) | 3,200 kg* |
Gross Combination Mass (GCM) | 6,000 kg |
Towing Capacity/Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) | 3500 kg |
Payload | 600 kg |
Tow Ball Mass | 350 kg |
* The vehicle has a KW of 2,250kg and the GVM is 3,200 kg.
This means that you have a maximum payload of 950 kg to play with (3,200 kg – 2,250kg).
Keep in mind that as the TBM affects payload, the actual amount of luggage, and occupants you can carry reduces to 600 kg (950 kg – 350kg).
The Caravan
Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) | 3500 kg |
Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) | 3150 kg* |
* Remember that we deduct the TBM from ATM to get GTM.
If my Vehicle is at GVM, what can I tow?
Gross Combination Mass (GCM) | 6,000 kg |
Working backwards from GCM, with the vehicle loaded to GVM, this is what you can tow:
GCM – GVM = TM
6000 kg – 3,200 kg = 2,800 kg
In other words, if your vehicle is at its GVM limit (this includes the kerb weight, the TBM and then whatever is left over for payload), you can only really have a tow vehicle that has a GTM of max 2,800kg.
That is only 80% of what the rated Towing Capacity the vehicle manufacturer states you can legally tow.
What is the maximum vehicle weight I need for my Caravan?
Let’s say you already have the caravan and its ATM is 3,500kg, and it is loaded to that maximum weight, what would be the maximum vehicle mass VM for the tow vehicle? Or in other words, what is the maximum weight I can put in my vehicle and legally tow a caravan loaded to the ATM?
Running the same numbers as above this is how you would work it out.
How to calculate maximum vehicle weight
Working backwards from GCM this is the maximum vehicle weight:
GCM – GTM = VM
Or 6000kg – 3,150kg = 2,850kg
In other words, if you wanted to tow a caravan that is 3,500kg, your maximum vehicle mass (VM) is now 2,850kg and not 3,200kg as is the GVM stated by the vehicle manufacturer.
However, this new figure affects your payload. So, the new payload is:
Payload = VM – KW
or 2,850kg – 2250 = 600kg
But that’s not all, there is also another portion of the equation to consider and that’s the Tow Ball Mass (TBM) and this figure is what really makes it into a deal breaker for many.
The payload is now 250kg (600kg – 350kg)
For some, 250kg may be plenty, but once you add in a couple of adults, two kids, the family dog, and luggage, you can quickly see it may not be enough to add in that 20L jerry can, roof rack and bulbar you’ve been eyeing.
Your Life Can Depend on It!
We love seeing some of the incredible camping set ups as we travel Australia. What we don’t enjoy seeing is a rolled caravan and vehicle…
It will come down to doing your research. Ultimately the primary reason for doing what it takes to be compliant isn’t for legalities sake, but for the sake of your life and your health.
Whether you’re looking at a $30k set up or a $300k set up – both are governed by the same principles and laws. Having a state of the art set up doesn’t make you a towing grandmaster haha
Travel safe! If you have any pieces of advice to share with your fellow travelers, leave it in the comments 🙂
