Towing Information and Definations
Any of the following information is a guide only, the word trailer will refer to any type of caravan, camper and tent trailer.
Your motor vehicle manufacturers´ specifications should always be checked.
Definations:
Payload; eg. water, gas, luggage and all non factory fitted accessories. The total weight of items put in the trailer.
GCM (Gross Combination Mass); GCM is the rating provided by the manufacturer of the tow vehicle. It is the maximimum laden mass of a motor vehicle plus the maximum laden weight of an attached unit combined and is not permitted to exceed the GCM rating.
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass); This is specified by the trailer manufacturer and must not be exceeded. The total laden weight of a trailer, which includes the tow ball mass and whatever you add as a payload.
GTM (Gross Trailer Mass); The total permissible mass which includes whatever you add as payload that can be supported by the wheels of a trailer. This does not include the mass supported by the tow ball.
Tare Mass; The unladen weight of the trailer
Tow Ball Mass / Download; is the weight imposed on the tow vehicle´s tow ball by the trailer´s coupling