What’s weighing you down?
It doesn’t matter in case you are towing or not…weighing issues. It could be very easy to go obese as everything we put in our car, van or trailer weighs something. Going over can affect car dynamics.
Increasing weight on a car or caravan can have an effect on the finest way they handle, add increased speed and slight inputs from the driver and this can be catastrophic…we have all seen movies of individuals making an attempt to correct trailer sway solely to end up being involved in an accident.

Braking distance is another one that may get us into trouble. We should increase the next distance when towing, even more in the moist, but if overloaded, the automobile and trailer can behave very in another way under heavy braking. Steering effectiveness may be diminished by overweight or poor weight distribution causing the automobile to wander and never go where it's pointed.

Vehicle suspension loses its capacity to do its job…too heavy and sagging significantly reduces suspension travel making the experience uncomfortable and will increase put on and tear on suspension elements. I even have additionally seen self-levelling airbag suspension hide weight problems on the rear axle of the automotive. Wheel alignment can also undergo from being chubby sporting tyres prematurely.

Legal compliance…all automobiles, caravans and trailers have compliance plates stating most weights. Failure to adjust to these most weights means the automotive, caravan or trailer is deemed unroadworthy. This can affect your insurance in case you are concerned in an accident or if pulled over by the NSW police can result in a $439 fine and three demerit points.

It’s much easier to exceed your maximum weights than you may think…the TOYOTA LANDCRUISER is a great and very popular tow automobile but in addition very simple to overload…let’s look at a couple of numbers: Kerb weight (all fluids and fuel but no individuals or gear – supply www.toyota.com.au) 2740kg – Landcruiser VX, let’s add 150kg for 2 folks, add 80kg for a metal bulbar and lights, add one other 80kg for gear and if towing a 3500kg caravan add 350kg tow ball weight = 3400kg. TOYOTA LANDCRUISER has a most weight (GVM) of 3350kg….50kg OVERWEIGHT. So even with a Landcruiser, it is very simple to go overweight.

The measurement of the caravan doesn’t matter either, it’s simply as easy to overload an 18ft van as it is to overload a 25ft van…they all have maximum weights (ATM). Some have big payloads but some have very small payloads. ATM – Tare = Payload. You could be towing a horse float with one or two horses, or a automotive trailer with a 4WD onboard or it may be a trade trailer full of gear.

You won't tow a trailer but might have a 4WD with canopy or toolboxes for work or play. It makes no distinction as all of them have most weights that should not be exceeded … should you do you might be unroadworthy.

So how are you aware in case you are compliant? You set your vehicle or mixture up like you would for travel, work or play and get it weighed by us.

We weigh using the newest wi-fi weigh pads and indicators…we also provide a 3-page report that compares actual weights to those on your compliance plates so you probably can see how much out there payload you could have remaining or when you have exceeded most weights. The report also explains all of the different acronyms used with vehicle and trailer weights.




We weigh in Sydney, Lower Blue Mountains and Central Coast and require a flat, hard level surface to get probably the most correct outcomes.


Safe travels,

Craig