Vehicle and caravan combination assessment
Understand the complete towing setup, not just one part of it.
A tow vehicle and caravan do not operate independently once they are connected. Tow ball mass changes how weight is carried through the vehicle, while passengers, accessories, luggage, water and caravan loading all contribute to the overall combination.
PROWEIGHED assesses the tow vehicle and caravan together, giving a clear picture of how the complete setup is loaded in its real-world travelling configuration.
The numbers change when the caravan is connected
A vehicle-only weigh shows how the tow vehicle is loaded by itself. A caravan-only weigh shows how the caravan is loaded. Neither on its own shows the effect of connecting the two together.
ONCE HITCHED, TOW BALL MASS CAN CHANGEAt the same time, the caravan still needs to sit within its own applicable limits. That is why the assessment looks at both as one complete towing setup.
Illustration only. Your report carries your own measured figures, with what each one means beside it.
What we check
A combination assessment brings vehicle, caravan and towing measurements together to give a complete view of the setup as presented on the day.
Tow vehicle
Caravan
The combination
Everything above is measured, recorded and reviewed as presented on the day. It is not engineering or ADR certification, a roadworthy certificate, a mechanical inspection or registration approval.
More than one weight limit applies
A towing setup has to be considered across several limits at once. Being under one limit does not automatically mean every other part of the combination sits within its applicable limit.
Gross Vehicle Mass
The maximum allowable mass of the loaded tow vehicle.
Front and rear axle limits
The maximum allowable load applicable to each vehicle axle.
Aggregate Trailer Mass
The total loaded mass of the caravan, including the portion carried through the coupling.
Gross Trailer Mass
The portion of the loaded caravan mass carried through its wheels and axles when coupled.
Gross Combination Mass
The maximum allowable combined mass of vehicle and trailer where an applicable manufacturer limit exists.
Tow ball mass affects the vehicle too
Tow ball mass is the downward load applied through the caravan coupling. Once the caravan is connected, that load becomes part of the weight carried by the tow vehicle.
THAT LOAD CAN AFFECTThis is why tow ball mass should not be read as a caravan number alone. The assessment shows the actual effect of the connected caravan on the tow vehicle as presented on the day.
More than vehicle and caravan totals
Total weights matter, but they do not show how the load is distributed. PROWEIGHED measures individual wheel positions across both the tow vehicle and the caravan.
Two combinations can carry similar overall weights very differently. Wheel-level measurement gives a much clearer understanding of where the weight is actually sitting.
Illustration only, based on a dual-cab and tandem axle van. Your report carries your own measured figures.
Everything you add has to be carried somewhere
Passengers, accessories, tools, camping equipment, water and personal belongings all contribute to the final towing setup. Permanent upgrades reduce the capacity remaining for travel loads.
The assessment helps show how much capacity is being used across both parts of the towing setup.
Assess the setup the way you actually travel
The assessment is most useful when the vehicle and caravan are presented as close as practical to their normal travelling configuration, including the water load you intend to carry. As a guide, 1 litre of water is about 1 kilogram, so large water capacities use a real portion of caravan payload.
Overloading may carry compliance and insurance implications depending on the circumstances, so refer to your own insurer and policy documentation.
If the combination only stays within its applicable limits because of one of these, that is important information to have.
How the vehicle responds when hitched
Connecting a caravan can change the vehicle's stance and suspension position. Where applicable, PROWEIGHED records corner heights before and after the caravan is connected.
Helper airbag pressures
Where suspension helper airbags are fitted, PROWEIGHED records the helper airbag pressures being used during the assessment, documented alongside the weight and corner height measurements.
Recording the pressure is not setting it. PROWEIGHED does not set helper airbag pressures, certify a suspension system, mechanically inspect the suspension or approve the configuration.
Every tyre is carrying part of the load
The complete setup relies on both vehicle and caravan tyres carrying their respective loads. PROWEIGHED records relevant tyre information across the combination, considered alongside the measured wheel and axle loads.
This is tyre information relevant to loading. It is not a tyre condition, mechanical or roadworthy inspection.
Additional checks
Where applicable, the assessment can also include selected measurements and observations relevant to the towing setup.
How it works
Arrive travel ready
Present the tow vehicle and caravan as close as practical to the way they normally travel, including passengers, fuel, luggage, touring equipment, caravan water and the gear normally carried.
We measure
PROWEIGHED records the applicable vehicle, caravan and combination measurements, including individual wheels, axles, total masses and tow ball mass.
We compare the setup
The tow vehicle is assessed both hitched and unhitched, so the effect of the connected caravan can be understood.
Review your results
You receive a professional PROWEIGHED assessment report and an explanation of the applicable measurements, findings and recommendations.
Bring the setup you actually travel with
Present both the vehicle and caravan as close as practical to their normal travelling configuration: the passengers, equipment, water, luggage and belongings you would normally carry. The objective is to understand the real towing setup, not to achieve the lowest possible numbers.
When should you assess the complete combination?
After buying a caravan
Understand how the new caravan interacts with the tow vehicle.
After changing tow vehicles
Reassess the combination when a different vehicle is doing the towing.
After major vehicle modifications
Especially after canopies, accessories, batteries, storage or suspension changes.
After major caravan upgrades
Particularly after battery, solar, storage, water or equipment changes.
Before a major trip
Assess the complete setup in realistic travel-ready condition.
When tow ball mass changes
Understand how changes to caravan loading affect both the van and the tow vehicle.
When payload is tight
Identify where vehicle or caravan capacity is being consumed.
When you want the complete picture
Use this service when assessing the vehicle or caravan on its own does not tell you enough.
Vehicle and caravan combination FAQs
Because connecting the caravan changes the load being carried by the tow vehicle. Comparing both conditions helps show the effect on the front axle, rear axle, total vehicle mass and vehicle height.
Yes. Tow ball mass is included as part of the combination assessment.
Yes. PROWEIGHED records individual wheel loads across both the tow vehicle and the caravan.
The applicable vehicle GVM and combination limits are reviewed where sufficient manufacturer information is available. GCM is relevant to the complete vehicle and trailer combination.
Potentially. A towing setup needs to be considered across multiple limits. It may sit under GCM while still exceeding another applicable limit such as vehicle GVM, an axle limit, caravan ATM or tyre capability.
PROWEIGHED prioritises understanding the setup with the water load you realistically intend to carry. Where practical, present the caravan with its normal travel water load.
For the most realistic assessment, regular passengers should be included where practical, because they form part of the vehicle’s actual travelling load.
Yes. Where helper airbags are fitted, PROWEIGHED records the helper airbag pressures being used during the assessment.
PROWEIGHED records relevant tyre information including size, load index, load capacity, pressures and tyre age.
No. The combination assessment is a weight, loading and related measurement assessment. It does not replace mechanical inspections, engineering certification or roadworthy requirements.
Yes. Customers receive a professional PROWEIGHED report documenting the applicable measurements, findings and recommendations.
Understand the complete towing picture
From vehicle axle loads and caravan weight to tow ball mass, GCM, tyre capability and weight distribution, a PROWEIGHED combination assessment brings the complete towing setup together in one detailed assessment.
Call Mitchell on 0456 049 686. Eighteen years in the automotive industry, so most questions about a towing setup are a short answer.