If you’re towing in Australia—whether it’s a caravan, camper trailer, horse float, or trade trailer—you’re legally responsible for making sure your setup is safe and compliant. Being overweight, unbalanced, or incorrectly hitched can put you at risk of fines, voided insurance, or worse, a serious crash. Before you hit the road, it’s worth asking three simple but crucial questions to make sure your setup is trip-ready.
For the purpose of this article, “Trailer” refers to a caravan, horse float, or any other trailer.
Why Towing Safety Matters
Whether you’re planning the big lap, a weekend camping trip around Gippsland, or heading to Werribee with your horse float, being “trip ready” isn’t just about packing the fridge—it’s about making sure your vehicle and trailer are safe, legal, and roadworthy.
In Victoria, towing laws are enforced by authorities, and non-compliance can lead to:
- Fines for exceeding weight limits.
- Insurance claim rejections if you’re in an accident while overloaded.
- Serious safety risks including reduced braking ability, poor handling, and trailer sway.
Three Questions Every Tower Should Ask Before a Trip
Before you hitch up and hit the road, ask yourself:
1. Is my setup overweight?
Every vehicle and trailer has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)/Aggregate Trailer Mass (AGM), Gross Combination Mass (GCM), and towing capacity set by the manufacturer. Exceeding these limits not only breaks the law but can endanger everyone on the road.
2. Is my ride height right?
Adding a trailer changes the way your vehicle sits on the road. If the rear sags, you lose steering control, braking efficiency, and overall stability. Suspension upgrades may be necessary to keep everything level.
3. Am I towing level?
If your trailer and vehicle connection is not level or angled slightly down, your load may be unbalanced and could create stress on the hitch and axles, increasing the risk of dangerous trailer sway at highway speeds.
The Benefits of a Trip Ready Check
This is where Weigh My Ride comes in. Offering a mobile, drive-on, drive-off weighing service, they provide accurate and independent checks for both solo vehicles and tow combinations.
Here’s what’s included:
- Individual wheel, axle and tow ball weights checked against manufacturer’s legal limits.
- Ride height assessment to identify whether suspension upgrades are needed.
- Payload distribution check to ensure weight is balanced across the setup.
- Tow hitch evaluation to confirm it’s appropriate and safe.
Every client receives a detailed report covering:
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass)
- GCM (Gross Combination Mass)
- Tow Ball Mass (TBM)
- GTM (Gross Trailer Mass)
- ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)
- Allowable payload
- Practical recommendations for a safer, more comfortable trip
Why It’s Worth It
Think of it like a pre-flight safety check—except you’re the pilot, your passengers are your family, and your caravan is loaded with everything you need for your holiday.
Getting your weights checked:
- Keeps you legal and avoids fines.
- Protects your insurance coverage.
- Improves handling, braking and comfort.
- Extends the life of your vehicle and trailer.
- Gives you peace of mind before long trips.
Final Word
If you’re heading out on the Hume, the Great Ocean Road, or even just towing locally around Melbourne, don’t leave your trip to chance. A Trip Ready Check gives you the confidence that your vehicle and trailer are safe, legal, and comfortable—so you can enjoy the journey instead of worrying about what’s happening behind you. Contact Weigh My Ride today for an expert trip-ready check!
