Even if your Toyota LandCruiser 300 has a hefty 3.5-tonne towing capacity, you can still run into trouble with Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). A 2.3-tonne caravan with a 300kg tow ball weight, a couple of passengers, basic luggage, and water onboard can push you right up to the legal GVM limit. Before you hit the road, it’s essential to understand the difference between towing capacity, tow ball mass, and GVM—and get your setup professionally weighed.
Why Your Tow Vehicle’s GVM Matters
Many caravan owners focus on their vehicle’s towing capacity. For the LandCruiser 300 (LC300), that’s an impressive 3,500kg. But towing safely in Victoria isn’t just about whether your car can pull a caravan—it’s about whether your whole setup complies with GVM limits, tow ball weights, and axle loads.
- Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): The maximum your vehicle can legally weigh when fully loaded.
- Tow Ball Mass: The downward force the trailer puts on your tow ball.
- Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM): The maximum weight of your caravan when loaded and unhitched.
If you exceed GVM—even slightly—you’re not only risking fines but also insurance issues and, most importantly, safety on the road.
The Real-Life Example: LC300 + Caravan
Here’s how things stacked up in one real scenario:
- Caravan ATM: 2,800kg (fully loaded)
- Caravan weight for trip when hitched (GTM): 2,500kg
- Tow Ball Weight: 300kg (common for mid-large single axle vans)
- Vehicle load: Small fridge, two camp chairs, 80L water, modest luggage, two passengers
The result? The LC300 was sitting just 2kg under its maximum GVM. No bull bar, no roof rack, no extra kids, and not overloaded with holiday gear.
Swap the 80L of water for two children and car seats? Suddenly, a “standard” family setup has exceeded the legal GVM.
Why This Happens with Single Axle Caravans
Single axle caravans often have higher tow ball weights compared with tandem axle vans. This extra downward force goes directly onto your vehicle’s rear axle, eating into your GVM allowance.
It’s easy to underestimate how quickly everyday items add up:
- Water tank (80L): +80kg
- Portable fridge: +20–25kg
- Camp chairs & gear: +15–20kg
- Passengers: 70–100kg each
Before long, you’re pushing your LC300 to its limits, even without a bull bar, recovery gear, or roof storage.
Common Mistakes When Calculating Loads
Many owners make these errors when preparing for a trip:
- Only looking at towing capacity. The 3.5T figure is just one part of the equation.
- Forgetting passengers and gear. Every item in the vehicle counts toward GVM.
- Ignoring tow ball mass. That 300kg isn’t “on the caravan”—it’s transferred to your car.
- Adding accessories without recalculating. Bull bars, winches, roof racks, and even bigger tyres all eat into your GVM and allowable payload.
How to Travel Legally and Safely
1. Get Your Vehicle Professionally Weighed
A mobile service like Weigh My Ride (based in the Yarra Ranges and servicing Victoria) can come to you.
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
2. Distribute Weight Smartly
- Store heavy items low and over the axles in your caravan.
- Avoid loading too much gear into the rear of the vehicle/over the rear axle.
- Be cautious with water tanks—full tanks add stability but also weight.
For consumer vehicles, commercial trucks, or race vehicles, the same weighing principles apply for safety and compliance.
The Bottom Line
Your LandCruiser 300 might have the muscle to tow a 3.5T caravan, but the legal and safe limit often comes down to GVM and tow ball weight—not just towing capacity. A “standard” family holiday setup can easily push you over the limit without you realising it.
The good news? By getting your rig professionally weighed and understanding how your load is distributed, you can travel safely, legally, and with peace of mind across Victoria and beyond.
Book an appointment with Weigh My Ride today!
