Before you buy · 3 min read
Caravan weights: the questions to ask
Collect the right vehicle and caravan information before asking for advice about your towing setup.
Start with the exact caravan
Keep the manufacturer's model year, variant and configuration together with every weight figure. Ask whether a quoted number is an estimate for a similar model, a published specification or a measurement of the actual unit. Record the answer instead of presenting those sources as interchangeable.
The ACCC has identified inaccurate caravan weight representations as a concern. Its guidance also notes that filled tanks and added extras can affect towing weight. Treat an equipment change as a reason to revisit the information you have collected.
- Model year, variant and the options fitted to the unit.
- The source and date of each quoted weight.
- What was included when the caravan was weighed.
- Which values still need confirmation.
Source: ACCC: new caravans
Bring the vehicle information too
Create a folder for the tow vehicle's documentation, the caravan's documentation and details of the towing equipment. Keep labels such as tare, ATM, GTM, GVM and GCM exactly as shown in the source; do not merge different measurements into a single ‘weight’ field.
Write down your expected travelling equipment and who will travel in the vehicle. This gives a suitably qualified adviser a clearer picture of the combination you intend to use. An advertised towing figure or a simple subtraction does not answer every question about that combination.
- Vehicle model, year and exact configuration.
- Manufacturer documents and relevant plate information.
- Towbar and coupling documentation.
- Planned passengers, luggage, water and additional equipment.
Resolve the gaps before making a decision
Ask the adviser to identify which figures need an actual measurement, which limits apply and whether planned changes affect the assessment. Keep the written outcome with your shortlist so future changes can be checked against it.
State road authorities publish towing rules and guidance; the NSW Government page below is a starting point for NSW. Check the authority relevant to where you will drive. This guide is a preparation checklist, not a towing calculation or confirmation that a vehicle and caravan are compatible.