Towing is a popular vehicle activity in Australia. But before you hitch up, ask yourself: “How much can my car tow?” Many Aussie drivers have no idea what their towing capacity actually is.
Towing beyond your vehicle’s limits isn’t just risky. It can damage your engine, strain your brakes, and even lead to hefty fines. Don’t stress, we’re here to help!
In this towing capacity guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know. From towing weights to how to calculate your towing capacity safely and correctly.
So, before we get into the numbers, let’s start with the basics:
What is Towing Capacity? Why it Matters More Than You Think?
Towing capacity refers to the maximum weight your vehicle can safely tow.
It’s not just about how powerful your engine is. Several factors come into play, including the vehicle’s construction, weight distribution, and overall load. Simply put, knowing your towing capacity ensures a safe and hassle-free towing experience.
So, Why Is Measuring Towing Capacity Important?
Manufacturers usually declare a towing capacity for every vehicle model. But these numbers assume ideal conditions; usually just the driver onboard with no extra weight.
But real-life towing situations are rarely this simple. If you’re planning a road trip with your family, loading up camping gear, or even adding aftermarket modifications, your final towing capacity will likely be lower than the manufacturer’s stated figure.
Ignoring these factors can be risky. Overloading your vehicle can cause excessive strain on your engine, brakes, and suspension, leading to mechanical failure, unsafe driving conditions, and even costly repairs. That’s why it’s essential to calculate your towing capacity based on your actual towing setup. Not just rely on manufacturer estimates.
Now that you have a solid understanding of towing capacity, let’s go through some essential towing weight terms.
Towing Weights Explained: Know the Key Towing Terms
Knowing these will help you calculate your towing setup correctly and avoid costly mistakes.
| Term | Definition |
| Towing Capacity | The maximum weight your vehicle can tow. Including the trailer and its cargo. |
| Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) | The total weight your vehicle can carry when fully loaded. Including passengers, cargo, fuel, and towing weight. |
| Tow Hitch Download | The downward force the trailer exerts on the tow hitch when attached to the vehicle. |
| Kerb Weight (Unladen Mass) | The weight of the vehicle with fuel and fluids but without passengers or cargo. |
| Tare Weight | Similar to kerb weight but measured with only 10 litres of fuel. Often used to calculate payload capacity. |
| Axle Capacity | The maximum weight a single axle (front or rear) can handle. As set by the manufacturer. |
| Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) | The weight exerted on the trailer’s wheels when it is fully loaded and hitched to the towing vehicle. |
| Gross Combination Mass (GCM) | The maximum total weight of the towing vehicle and trailer when fully loaded. |
| Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) | The total maximum weight of the trailer when fully loaded, including its own weight and the tow hitch download. |
| Payload | The amount of weight the trailer can carry, calculated by subtracting the trailer’s tare weight from its ATM. |
| Component Registration Number (CRN) | A unique registration number assigned to certified tow bars. |
How Is Towing Capacity Calculated?
Your car’s towing capacity is calculated based on two key figures:
- Braked Towing Capacity – The maximum weight your vehicle can tow with a trailer that has its own brakes.
- Unbraked Towing Capacity – The maximum weight your vehicle can tow if the trailer doesn’t have brakes.
Braked vs. Unbraked Towing – What’s the Difference?
WA towing laws require certain trailers to have brakes. Here’s how it works:
| Trailer Weight | Brake Requirement |
| 0 – 750 kg (Unbraked) | No brakes required |
| 751 – 2000 kg (Braked) | Brakes on at least one axle |
| 2001 – 4500 kg (Braked) | Brakes on all wheels + Breakaway system |
If you tow more than 750 kg without brakes, you’re breaking WA laws and risk getting fined. Up next, let’s explore how to calculate your towing capacity step by step.
How to Calculate Your Towing Capacity | Step by Step Guide
Towing capacity isn’t just a single number. It’s calculated based on several key vehicle weights. Let’s go through it by 3 easy steps.
Step #1: Find Your GCM (Gross Combined Mass)
GCM, or Gross Combined Mass, is the total weight limit of your vehicle and trailer combined. This includes the car itself, passengers, cargo, fuel, and the loaded trailer. You cannot exceed this limit, or you risk damaging your vehicle. Hence, reducing braking efficiency, and even facing legal consequences.
You can find your GCM in the owner’s manual, on the compliance plate (inside the driver’s door frame), or on the manufacturer’s website.
For example, if your car’s GCM is 6,000 kg, that means the combined weight of your car and trailer cannot go over 6,000 kg.
Step #2: Find Your GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)
GVM, or Gross Vehicle Mass, is the maximum weight your vehicle alone can carry, including passengers, fuel, and cargo. This is crucial because your car needs to handle this weight safely. Without putting too much strain on the brakes and suspension.
Just like GCM, you can find the GVM on the compliance plate, in the owner’s manual, or on the manufacturer’s website.
If your vehicle’s GVM is 2,500 kg, this means your car alone (without a trailer) must not exceed 2,500 kg. Overloading beyond this limit can make your vehicle unstable and unsafe to drive.
Step #3: Calculate Your Maximum Trailer Weight
Now, to find out how much weight your trailer can carry, you use a simple formula:
Towing Capacity = GCM – GVM
For example, if your GCM is 6,000 kg and your GVM is 2,500 kg, then:
Towing Capacity = 6,000 kg – 2,500 kg
Towing Capacity = 3,500 kg
This means your vehicle can tow up to 3,500 kg safely, as long as the trailer has brakes (which is required for trailers over 750 kg in WA). If the trailer exceeds this weight, you are overloading your vehicle, which can be dangerous and illegal.
What About Tow Ball Download (TBD)?
The Tow Ball Download (TBD) is the amount of weight your trailer places on your vehicle’s tow hitch.
Think of it like this: if you push down on a seesaw, the side you press on carries extra weight. Similarly, a heavy trailer pushes down on your tow ball, affecting how your vehicle handles on the road.
So, How Much Tow Ball Download is Allowed?
Most vehicles allow 10% of the trailer’s total weight as the recommended tow ball load. So, if you’re towing a 2,000 kg trailer, your tow ball should handle around 200 kg. If the tow ball load is too low, the trailer might sway dangerously. And if it’s too high, it puts extra strain on your car’s suspension and steering.
So, always check your tow bar rating (found in your owner’s manual or compliance plate) to make sure your vehicle is built to handle the load safely.
WA Towing Laws You Should Know
Towing in Western Australia comes with strict rules to keep roads safe. Here are the key laws:
- Any trailer above 750 kg must have its own braking system.
- Stay within GCM and GVM limits as exceeding your vehicle’s weight limits is illegal and unsafe.
- Trailers over 2,000 kg must have brakes on all wheels.
- Towing a trailer above 4,500 kg requires a legal permit in WA.
Ignoring these laws could result in fines, vehicle damage, or even loss of insurance coverage in case of an accident.
For comprehensive information and resources on safe towing practices in Western Australia, consider checking the Department of Transport’s Safe Towing Guide.
Towing Capacity for Different Vehicle Types
| Vehicle Type | Unbraked Towing Capacity | Braked Towing Capacity |
| Small SUVs | Around 640 kg | Up to 1,200 kg |
| Large SUVs & Utes | 750 kg | Up to 3,500 kg |
| Full-Size Pickups | N/A | Up to 6,989 kg |
Even within the same model, towing capacity can vary. For example, a Toyota HiLux manual may tow 3,500 kg. But the automatic version might only tow 3,200 kg. Always double check your exact model’s towing limits.
Final Tips for Safe Towing
- Stay below the limit – Don’t max out your towing capacity. Leave at least a 10% safety margin.
- Distribute weight evenly – Keep the trailer balanced to avoid swaying.
- Use the right tow bar – Make sure it matches your towing needs.
- Check your brakes – If towing heavy loads, get brakes on all trailer wheels.
- Follow WA laws – Avoid fines and drive safely!
Need Emergency Towing in Perth? Call Kings Car Towing Now – 24/7 Service
If you ever need professional towing assistance, Kings Car Towing has got your back. We offer 24/7 towing services in Perth. Whether you need help with a breakdown, accident, or vehicle recovery.
- Emergency Assistance Anytime – We’re available 24/7 for all towing needs.
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- Expert Team – Our professionals know Perth’s roads inside out, ensuring fast service.
- All Types of Towing – From car towing to boat towing, we handle it all.
Call Kings Car Towing today for reliable towing services in Perth.
