Tow Weight Query
Submitted: Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 19:22
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DoogleDave
Hi All,
Apologies if this has been covered before. I am a newbie to this and have been reading about ATM, GTM Tare and ball weights for towing.
I think I understand what they individually mean, but just wanted to confirm I get the crux of it all.
If I had a vehicle that was limited to towing 2000kg (braked), and had a van with a Tare weight of 1700kg, does this mean that as long as I don't load the van with more than 300kg of food, water, gas, misc items etc. I am still legally fine to tow the van ?
The GTM would likely be over the 2000kg limit (as would the ATM), but as long as I kept the "actual" weight below 2000kg, is that still legal ?
Am I reading this correctly, or am I way off track ?
Looking forward to hearing from the experts...
Cheers,
Dave
Reply By: wizzer73 - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:47
Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:47
If your vehicle is rated to tow upto 2000kg and you keep the van weight down under 2000kg then you are "legal" but you have to make sure the ball weight doesn't exceed what the vehicle rating is.
This is how i understand it for my vehicle.
98 Jackaroo weight 1890kg's
towing capacity 2500kg's
gross vehicle mass 2690kg's
gross combined mass 5100kg's
ball weight 150kgs
(figures from redbook)
so i can put 710kg's of people and gear into my car including ball weight of van of 150kgs if towing a van that weighs total 2500kg. If my van weighed 2000kg's i can still only put 710kgs into car including ball weight but also an extra 500kgs of gear into the van (as long as the van is rated and ball weight is still 150kg).
clear as mud?
wizzer
AnswerID:
448241
Follow Up By: Members - Bow & Nan - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 09:08
Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 09:08
Do not trust redbook
Check your rego papers and manufactures weights they are the only numbers that count .
FollowupID:
720600
Reply By: Snoopyone - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 21:32
Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 21:32
Firstly the van will have a Compliance plate on it with the Allowable weights
EG ATM of 2000kg
GTM 1850 kg
TARE 1700kg (These are theoretical)
This would give a ball weight of 150kg which isnt really enough
You cannot legally exceed the ATM
Neither can you legally tow more than the limit of the vehicle or its towbar capacity whichever is the lesser.
Also pulling the absolute maximum your car can tow is a very good way to wear it out quickly
I assume you are quoting theoretical weights.
Who would go away with a van half empty Its bloody hard to keep within legal limits without trying to only take half of it.
Also remember your ball weight is part of the tow vehicles load as
well.
Hope that covers it.
AnswerID:
448250