KEEPING CHECK
COMPARING ONE POTENTIAL NEW TOW VEHICLE
TO ANOTHER IS BOUND TO BECOME CONFUSING.
THIS CHECKLIST SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER.
WORDS: CARAVAN COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA
It is suggested that you use a separate checklist for each
vehicle that you are considering, listing your “score” for each
item, so that you can then compare all final “total scores”.
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IMPORTANT RATINGS AND
MASSES OF EACH VEHICLE:
Tare Mass & Empty Ball-Loading must be
measured by certified weighing devices.
YOUR CARAVAN’S RATINGS
AND MASSES (KG):
1: Caravan ATM rating: ...........................................
2: Caravan GTM rating: ...........................................
3: Caravan Tare mass: ............................................
4: Caravan (empty) ball loading: .........................
5: Caravan maximum
permitted ball-loading: .......................................
6: Maximum legal payload
(1 minus 3): .....................................
THE TOW VEHICLE’S RATINGS
AND MASSES (KG):
a: GVM rating: ............................................................
b: GCM rating: ............................................................
c: Tare mass (kerb weight): ...................................
d: Maximum towing
capacity rating: ..................................................
e: Maximum towbar
download rating: .................................................
f: Maximum legal payload
(a minus c): .....................................
g: Rear axle rating: ...................................................
Note: Sometimes the GCM rating may be less
than ‘GVM Rating + ATM Rating’, in which
case the GCM rating must be used.
The rear-axle rating must also be considered to ensure that it is not exceeded. Due to the hitch
overhang, the ball-loading applies a leverage ‘moment’ (force X distance).
ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST FOR EACH POTENTIAL MAKE
AND MODEL OF TOW VEHICLE:
Item Criteria Standard - Legal Yes / No
Ratings and masses Towing capacity Legal - ‘d’ must exceed ‘1’ □
Ratings and masses Towball download Legal - ‘e’ must exceed ‘5’ □
If either answer to the above two items is ‘no’, stop – the vehicle would not be suitable.
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