AU towing capacity

Caravan Towing Calculator

"Can my car tow this caravan?" is really four questions: trailer rating, ball limit, GVM and GCM. Enter your numbers and this calculator answers all four at once, with the margin (or the overage) on each.

Your combination

Default values are illustrative. Quick-fill is offered only where the cited example establishes all four vehicle limits. It does not fill your actual vehicle mass, and it is not a VIN lookup.

Preset sources: 25.5MY D-MAX BLADE 3.0L 4x4 automatic; 26MY Triton GLX+ dual-cab 4WD automatic; AU calculator checked 2026-10-25 BT-50 Dual-cab 4x2 XS pickup automatic, 2.2L diesel; MY24 Navara D23 SL pickup 4x4 automatic; 25.5MY MU-X 3.0L 4x4 automatic.

Tow vehicle
Caravan / trailer

Towing combination results

Trailer rating
 
Ball limit
 
GVM
 
GCM
 

These are four mass checks, but the inputs are yours to verify: use your compliance placard, towbar plate and a weighbridge, not brochure values. Axle, tyre, coupling, brake and trailer ATM requirements also apply. Rear axle load limits can bind before GVM on some vehicles and are not modelled here.

What the four checks mean

Trailer rating: the actual loaded trailer mass must not exceed its own ATM or the vehicle's braked capacity. Ball limit: the loaded ball weight must not exceed the towbar and vehicle limit. GVM: vehicle + occupants + cargo + ball weight must stay under GVM. GCM: the loaded vehicle and loaded caravan together must stay under GCM. Passing these four arithmetic checks does not establish roadworthiness: axle, tyre, trailer ATM, coupling and brake requirements and local rules also apply.

How it's calculated

Trailer check
actual loaded trailer mass ≤ braked towing capacity
Ball check
ball weight ≤ max ball weight
GVM check
base vehicle + people and cargo + ball ≤ GVM
GCM check
base vehicle + people and cargo + loaded trailer ≤ GCM

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find my vehicle's numbers?

Find ratings in the matching manufacturer specification and owner's manual, plus the vehicle plate where provided; check the towbar plate for equipment limits. Use a verified full-fuel base vehicle mass or weigh the unhitched vehicle; tare and kerb definitions differ and must not be interchanged. When the towbar plate and the manual disagree, the lower number wins.

Where do I find the caravan's ATM and ball weight?

ATM is on the caravan's compliance plate. Ball weight is not fixed: it changes with how you load the van. The plate lists the unladen ball weight; weigh yours loaded (ball scale or weighbridge) because that is the number that counts.

What ball weight should I aim for?

Follow the trailer and vehicle manufacturers' loading instructions and the lowest applicable ball-load limit. A percentage alone does not establish stability or compliance; weigh the loaded combination and check axle loads.

My combination fails one check. What are my options?

Reduce the actual load without exceeding axle or loading requirements, or choose a suitable vehicle and trailer. Removing cargo does not change the trailer plate ATM. Do not assume a vehicle modification changes any other certified limit; obtain its approval documents.

Vehicle data

AU towing capacity by vehicle

Source-specific Australian towing examples and their documented limits.