Towing Calculator - Safe & Legal Towing Capacity

Calculate your safe and legal towing capacity according to Australian regulations

Important Safety Notice

This calculator serves as a guide for Australian towing regulations. Always verify results against your vehicle's specifications and local requirements. For legal compliance and safety, consult with qualified professionals.

Vehicle Details

Kerb Weight (kg)

The weight of the vehicle with a full tank of fuel but without passengers or cargo

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) (kg)

The maximum allowed weight of the vehicle including passengers, cargo, and towball weight

Maximum Towing Capacity (kg)

The maximum weight your vehicle can legally tow

Towball Download Capacity (kg)

The maximum downward force allowed on the towball

Gross Combination Mass (GCM) (kg)

The maximum allowed combined weight of your vehicle and caravan

Cargo Weight (kg) (optional)

The total weight of passengers, cargo, and accessories in your vehicle

Caravan Details

Tare Weight (kg)

The weight of the empty caravan including standard equipment

Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) (kg)

The maximum allowed weight of the caravan when fully loaded

Towball Weight (kg)

The downward force applied to the towball by the empty caravan

Cargo Weight (kg) (optional)

The total weight of all items loaded into the caravan

Please fill in all details to see your results

We'll calculate your towing capacity once all fields are complete

Frequently Asked Questions

To calculate your towing capacity:

Find your vehicle's kerb weight and GVM (in owner's manual)
Determine the maximum towing capacity specified by manufacturer
Calculate available payload (GVM minus kerb weight)
Consider towball download weight (typically 10% of trailer weight)
Ensure total combination mass doesn't exceed GCM

Use our calculator above for accurate calculations based on your specific vehicle and caravan combination.

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum allowed weight of your vehicle when fully loaded, including passengers, cargo, and towball weight. It's crucial because exceeding GVM is illegal and dangerous, affecting vehicle handling, braking distance, and overall safety.

Australian towing regulations require:

Not exceeding manufacturer's maximum towing capacity
Maintaining proper towball weight (typically 8-10% of trailer weight)
Using approved towing equipment and safety chains
Having extended mirrors when towing wide caravans
Adhering to state-specific speed limits for towing

Top vehicles for heavy towing include:

Toyota Land Cruiser (3,500kg capacity)
RAM 1500 (4,500kg capacity)
Ford Ranger (3,500kg capacity)
Nissan Patrol (3,500kg capacity)
Isuzu D-MAX (3,500kg capacity)

Consider factors like fuel efficiency, stability control systems, and transmission cooling when choosing a tow vehicle.

Towball weight (or download weight) is the downward force the caravan applies to your vehicle's towbar. Measure it using a towball weight scale with the caravan level and loaded. Aim for 8-10% of total trailer weight for optimal stability. Too little or too much towball weight can cause dangerous trailer sway.

Key mistakes to avoid:

Exceeding vehicle or trailer weight limits
Incorrect load distribution
Not using weight distribution hitches when required
Improper tire pressure for towing conditions
Forgetting to account for passenger and cargo weight