Understanding Your Tow

You can find the GCM in your vehicle’s owner manual, on the manufacturer’s website, or on the compliance plate typically located in the engine bay or door sill.

No, you do not need to add the towball download separately when calculating GCM if the total tow weight already includes it. The GCM should already account for the combined weight of the vehicle, its load, and the trailer, including the towball download.

Use a towing calculator to factor in all weights, including passengers, cargo, and trailer load, and ensure the total does not exceed the GCM.

No, curb weight is the weight of the vehicle without passengers or cargo, while gross vehicle weight includes the curb weight plus the weight of passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment.

Curb weight is used to determine the vehicle's payload and towing capacity. Understanding the curb weight helps ensure that you do not exceed the maximum weight limits, which can impact vehicle performance and safety.

Use a towing calculator to factor in all weights, including passengers, cargo, and any modifications, to ensure the total does not exceed the GVM. Regularly check your load distribution and weight.

A GVM upgrade involves modifying your vehicle to increase its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) beyond the manufacturer’s original specifications. This typically includes upgrading suspension components, brakes, and other parts to handle the increased weight safely. GVM upgrades are often done for vehicles used in heavy-duty applications or when additional payload capacity is required. It’s important to ensure that the upgrade is done by a certified professional and that the vehicle remains compliant with legal and safety standards.

No, a GVM upgrade does not directly increase your vehicle’s tow capacity. It increases the allowable weight your vehicle can carry, but the towing capacity is primarily determined by the vehicle’s engine, transmission, brakes, and other factors specified by the manufacturer. While a GVM upgrade can help manage higher payloads, you must still adhere to the original tow capacity limits set by the vehicle manufacturer.

The towball download is the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch and is considered part of your vehicle’s allowable payload. For example, if your vehicle has a payload capacity of 800 kg and the towball download is 100 kg, you have 700 kg left for passengers, cargo, and other equipment. It's essential to factor in the towball download to ensure you stay within your vehicle's payload limits and maintain safe driving conditions.

No, tare weight typically does not include the weight of aftermarket accessories. These should be added to the tare weight to determine the actual loaded weight of the vehicle.

Braked towing capacity refers to the maximum weight your vehicle can tow when the trailer has its own braking system, while unbraked towing capacity refers to the maximum weight your vehicle can tow when the trailer does not have its own brakes.

Yes, the towball download is a factor in your vehicle's overall towing capacity. It should be included in your calculations to ensure you do not exceed the maximum allowable weight.

Increasing braked towing capacity is generally not recommended, as it is determined by the manufacturer based on the vehicle’s design and capabilities. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications to maintain safety and compliance.

The tare weight can usually be found on the compliance plate attached to the trailer or caravan, in the owner’s manual, or provided by the manufacturer.

Typically, tare weight includes empty water and gas tanks. The weight of any filled tanks should be added to the tare weight to calculate the total loaded weight.

Yes, any modifications, added accessories, or wear and tear will change the tare weight. It’s important to recheck the weight if significant changes are made to the trailer or caravan.

Towball download can be measured using a towball scale. Place the scale under the trailer's hitch and read the weight directly from the scale.

Typically, the towball download should be around 10% of the trailer’s total weight. Refer to your vehicle and trailer’s manufacturer specifications for exact recommendations.

Yes, you can adjust the towball download by redistributing the weight within the trailer. Moving heavier items towards or away from the hitch can increase or decrease the towball download.

ATM includes the total weight of the trailer and its load, while GTM is the portion of the ATM that is supported by the trailer’s axles, not including the towball download.

The ATM is usually specified on the trailer’s compliance plate, in the owner’s manual, or provided by the manufacturer.

Weigh your trailer when fully loaded, including all cargo and accessories, to ensure the total weight does not exceed the specified ATM.

The GTM can be found on the trailer’s compliance plate, in the owner’s manual, or provided by the manufacturer.

GTM is essential for ensuring that the trailer's axles and wheels are not overloaded, which can lead to tire failure, axle damage, and unsafe towing conditions.

GTM is the weight supported by the trailer’s axles, while ATM includes the entire weight of the trailer and its load, including the portion supported by the towing vehicle’s towball.

Increasing the rear max axle load typically requires modifications to the suspension and axles and must be done in compliance with legal and safety standards. Consult with a professional before making any changes.

To ensure you are within the rear max axle load limit, weigh your vehicle when fully loaded and ensure the rear axle load does not exceed the specified limit.

The rear max axle load includes the weight transferred to the vehicle's rear axle by the trailer through the towball download. Ensure the combined load does not exceed the axle limit.

Loading a tow weight can significantly increase the weight on the rear axle, often by around 150%. This happens because the towball download from the trailer adds additional force directly onto the vehicle's rear axle. It's essential to consider this increased load to avoid exceeding the rear max axle load limit, ensuring safe towing and vehicle stability.