Why Do Weights Matter?
Your safety on the road starts with knowing your weights.
On Friday, November 21st, we’re hosting another Carac Weigh Day, together with the experts from Drive A Weigh. We offer hands-on sessions where our experts will check your towing setup against all legal and manufacturer limits. Make sure your family, your vehicle, and your investment are protected before your next trip.
Limited sessions available – $270 per rig.
Book in store or by calling 0401 476 948.
Why Do Weights Matter?
It doesn't matter whether you are towing a camper with a light SUV or a long family van with a light truck! Every tow vehicle and every caravan/camper has a series of maximum weight specifications (the acronyms!) set by the manufacturer, that relate to your make/model/year and variant. These include overall weight, axle ratings, combined weights, component limits and several more. It is essential to be accurately weight checked against each of them, especially when you first purchase your rig or make major changes to it. In the event that even a single weight limit is over, the whole car/van combination is considered unroadworthy.
It is estimated that more than 86% (CIA, 2024) of car and caravan combinations in Australia are found to be exceeding one or more of these weight limits when checked by professionals. The biggest risk associated with travelling overloaded is the risk to personal safety. Neither car nor van will stop or handle as they were designed to and this may pose a risk to your family and travelling pets. Secondly, there is a risk of fines, demerit points and even court action in extreme cases. Finally, there is the insurance gamble. It is becoming increasingly common for insurance companies to check weights after even relatively minor incidents and to refuse claims if any of the maximum specifications has been exceeded. For most of us, this is money we cannot afford to lose!
Beyond the issues related to compliance, there are a number of other considerations that are assessed during a professional weight check. By that, we mean optimum travel height, left/right van balance, equal van axle weight load sharing and the percentage of overall van weight sitting on the towball. All of these factors play a key role in towing safely and comfortably. A professional weighing service will include problem solving and advice, to protect you and your equipment. Whether you tow short distances for annual holidays or are lapping Australia, this is key knowledge. Don’t guess, book today to be checked and know your weights.