Miami Towbars a Division of Brians Auto Centre, is located at 2064 Gold Coast Highway , Miami Qld Australia, fit while you wait, or come to you with our mobile service for all Hayman Reese towbars and products for most vehicles and caravans. Specialising in Hayman Reese towbars, Hayman Reese weight distribution systems, brake controllers, sway controllers and Hayman Reese towing accessories. Our specialised staff can advise on the correct towing system for your vehicle.

In December, 1998, agreement was reached by all State’s Ministers of Transport to implement national towing regulations. In essence, the national rules state that “A motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (G.M.V.) not exceeding 4.5 tonnes must not, without the approval of an authority, tow a trailer with a mass (including any load) exceeding;

“The capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle,

“The relevant maximum trailer mass specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle

Which means the most you can tow is the amount specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the capacity of the towbar - WHICH EVER IS the LESSER.

To determine how much your vehicle can tow, firstly check the owners manual for the manufacturer’s towing recommendations. Secondly make sure that the towing capacity is as least as much, if not more, than the mass of the trailer, including its load. If you are unsure of the towbar rating, call “Miami Towbars” or a reputable towing systems specialist.

In the case where a motor vehicle manufacturer has not specified a maximum towing mass, the limit is stated to be:

1.5 times the unladen or kerb mass of the motor vehicle if the trailer is fitted with brakes;
The unloaded mass of the motor vehicle if the trailer is not fitted with brakes.

It should be noted, however, that the above will rarely apply as apart from using a truck, just about every vehicle that is likely to be used for towing a caravan, boat trailer, horsefloat or similar has a manufacturer’s towing recommendation.

Owners of 4WDs and light commercial vehicles should also be careful that they do not exceed the Gross Combined Mass (G.C.M.) of the vehicle. The GCM refers to the maximum vehicle plus its load, including a trailer, is permitted to weigh. It is possible that when a motor vehicle is loaded with, for example, five adults, their luggage and camping gear that the maximum allowable trailer mass has to be reduced so as to not exceed the GCM.

Exceeding the maximum towing load as recommended by the towing vehicle manufacturer can:

* Invalidate warranty

* Nullify insurance, and

* Effect long term vehicle safety and reliability.

ATM - GTM

Trailer specifications are referred to as either Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) or Gross Trailer Mass (GTM). ATM is the maximum weight of the trailer and its load when it is not coupled to a tow vehicle. GTM is the weight imposed on the trailer’s axle when it is coupled to the tow vehicle.

GTM will always be less than ATM as some of the trailer weight is transferred to the tow vehicle when the trailer is coupled to it. The difference between ATM and GTM is the actual applied Ball Load.

The maximum weight of a trailer and its load will always be specified as its ATM, although some trailer plates will also show its Tare Weight (the unladen weight of the trailer) and its GTM.

Towball Load

The tow Ball weight of your vehicle refers to the allowed Max weight of your caravan or trailer pressing down on your towbar when coupled to your vehicle, or the weight on the front end of the trailer, caravan not carried over the axles. As a rule of thumb it is generally between 10% and 15% of your ATM. This can be measured at a weigh bridge by resting the jockey wheel only on the scale or by your Hayman Reese Dealer.

The fitting of a Weight Distribution Hitch does not allow an increase in your ball load, Always be aware what your vehicles maximum ball load capacity is, and do not exceed this load.