Towing "legally"

[spookypt]

I recently was pulled over by DOT for a random scales check and got talking to the officer about various things.. He was telling me about how many cars towing loaded car trailers aren't legal and they were doing a lot more random pull overs and fines with the scales...

While I was within my tolerances (F250 and enclosed alloy trailer) he mentioned many of the modern cars promoted with towing capacities etc of 3500kgs are towing overweight and illegally and are open to prosecution as there GCM exceeds the vehicle spec.

I was even more surprised that when I mentioned I was going to upgrade to an F350 that he said "make sure you get your license upgraded too!" As it has an GVM over 4500kg so I have to get a light truck license!!!


A light vehicle license in QLD (I think all states) is for over 4500kg GROSS VEHICLE MASS. It does NOT take trailer weight into consideration. Provided the towing vehicle has a GVM of under 4500kg and the trailer is below the maximum tow rating it is legal.

However..

Just because the GVM is 3500kg and the tow rating is 3500kg does not mean the combination can be 7000kg. You MUST ensure the GCM, Gross Combined Mass, is not exceeded. Of course, the more equipment you add, the less it's actual payload is. Remember once you add fuel, tyres, people and tools it more than likely reduces the amount of trailer weight you can legally tow with.

So if your Ford Ranger tow car GVM is 3200t and your GCM is 6000 even though your can tow a braked trailer up to 3500kg, if your at your 3200kg GVM on your tow car the most you can now tow is 2800kg. Not 3500kg.

It really opened my eyes as to how that all works. Driving on the M1 a lot like I do I'd reckon 2 out of 3 car trailers I see being towed would not meet with the above.........

Food for thought.

Spookypt