How much can you car TOW? - Caravan Weights PART 1

If this first part of a three-part series, Steven is looking into how to determine the weight of your tow vehicle, how much it can tow, what it's limitations are, and where to find this information.

#caravanningaustralia #caravanlife #towing

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[paultravers]

Steven, You are to be commended for going to the trouble to produce an excellent and informative series of videos. Towing a caravan comes with an enormous responsibility so it is essential that we know as much as possible about our total rig and it’s key components such as the correct tyre pressures for various situations, 12volt wiring connections, types of hitches etc
Your explanations are very clear and concise. Well done Steven.

[MegaAnufriev]

Max front and rear axle limits are also not to be exceeded. Tow ball mass is also amplified on the rear axle due to the tow ball over hang (distance from the rear axle centre to the tow ball centre). 300 kg on the tow ball can result in 450 kg on the rear axle which limit can be easily exceeded.

[ricmcd]

Gday
Thanks for this, but i notice you do not include axle group loadings in your explination.
Arent they also important?

[mickcoz]

I've become quite a fan of your videos and consider them an excellent resource for beginners and seasoned travellers alike.
I don't really agree with your explanation of the Kerb Weight and how it becomes a different value (weight) by addition of bull bars and other equipment.
The kerb weight is a standard term listed on manufacturer's specification sheets and it means exactly what you initially said it was the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of fuel. A number of manufacturers now only listing kerb weight on specification sheets and don't show Tare at all.
The Kerb Weight doesn't become a new value by addition of things like bullbars and other equipment or passengers etc because then it is no longer the Kerb Weight.
All those additional items, people and luggage are part of what reduces the payload. Payload is the GVM minus the Kerb Weight.

[rich]

That seems to be a less than ideal tow vehicle. You only have 600 kg of payload and 3000kg of tow rating which is going to mean that you are going to be at a relatively high percentage of, if not over, your maximum ratings.