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Caravan Towing Weights Demystified: Expert Advice from Know My Tow’s Brennan Raymakers
This week, we demystify caravan towing weights.
If you are thinking about towing a caravan around Australia. You’re not alone. And you’re not the only one confused about towing weights.
In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette sits down with Brennan Raymakers, founder of Know My Tow, to unpack the essentials of safe towing, weight compliance, and why it's not as simple as matching your car’s tow rating to your van.
Why Caravan Towing Weights Matter More Than You Think
As Brennan explains, today’s vans are essentially mini homes on wheels—with full kitchens, ensuites, and off-road upgrades. That extra comfort? It comes at a cost, in weight.
“You might meet your car’s tow capacity, but still be over on axle loads or tow ball download,” Brennan warns. “And that can be illegal… and uninsurable.”
Understanding your rig’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), Gross Combination Mass (GCM), tow ball weight, payload, and axle loads is essential, especially with insurers and authorities cracking down on overweight setups.
Busting the Insurance Myth: Will You Be Covered if You're Overweight?
The short answer? Maybe not. Brennan recently rang around insurers and discovered that while they don’t ask about your specific setup, if you’re overweight and something goes wrong, especially in a serious accident, you could be held liable.
“You can be within your tow capacity but over on other specs like rear axle load. And that’s where things get murky.”
Key Caravan Towing Specs You Must Understand
Whether you're brand new or have done a few short trips, these are the terms Brennan says every caravanner needs to know:
- GCM (Gross Combination Mass): Total weight of your car + van.
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): Curb weight + payload for your car.
- ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass): Max loaded weight of your van.
- GTM (Gross Trailer Mass): Weight of the loaded van on its own axles.
- Tow Ball Download: How much weight the van places on your car’s hitch, and yes, it comes off your payload!
How Quickly Can You Go Overweight?
Let’s say you own a Land Cruiser with 450kg of payload. Add 250kg of tow ball weight, a family of five, a bull bar, canopy, fridge, water, camping gear… and you’re likely overweight before you even leave your driveway.
“People forget the tow ball weight counts against your payload, and so does every extra accessory. It adds up fast,” Brennan explains.
Avoid the Rookie Mistakes with All Around Oz And Know My Tow
We’ve partnered with Know My Tow to bring their brilliant towing weight calculator directly to the All Around Oz website. It’s the most comprehensive tool of its kind in Australia—and the first tier is free!
It helps you:
✅ Enter your car and van details
✅ Check if you’re within limits
✅ See potential issues with payload, tow ball weight, or axle loads
✅ Upgrade to premium for a detailed, personalised report
Plus, Big Lap Chats listeners save 25% off any paid version, coupon in the show notes!
What If You’re Overweight? Tips to Lighten the Load
- Repack your van: Shifting weight rearward can reduce tow ball load.
- Empty water tanks: 100L of grey water = 100kg!
- Remove unnecessary gear: Every kilo counts, especially when it comes to accessories.
- Weigh your setup: Mobile professionals can help you get the full picture.
Brennan’s Top 3 Towing Safety Tips
- Check your tyre pressures - especially rear tyres.
- Be mindful of your load distribution - every time you pack.
- Watch your water weight - it adds up quickly.
Planning Your Big Lap? Don’t Wing Your Weights!
Brennan’s final advice?
“Over-engineer your setup. If you build in buffer from the start, you’ll reduce stress and travel with confidence.”
Ready to Travel Smarter?
If you’re still unsure about your setup, or just want peace of mind—try the All Around Oz Calculator (backed by Know My Tow) today. It's easy, intuitive, and tailored for Aussie caravanners and lappers like you.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Big Lap Chats for even more insights, and remember to grab that exclusive discount code in the show notes!
🔗 Try the Calculator | 🔗 Join the Big Lap Chats Membership for more exclusive content like this.
Know My Tow was created by a group of caravanners and 4WD enthusiasts who were tired of how difficult it was to understand towing weights and limits.
Between conflicting advice, confusing acronyms, and unclear vehicle specs, it was easy to get overwhelmed, even for experienced drivers.
We built Know My Tow to make that easier. It brings together vehicle data, accessory weights, and user inputs into one simple tool, helping people get a clearer picture of their setup. It’s not a compliance guarantee, it’s a starting point for making more informed towing decisions.
From those just getting into caravanning to mobile weighers and seasoned tourers, Know My Tow is used by people who want more clarity before hitting the road.
