Tow Vehicle Check for Caravan Dealers & Buyers
Prepare a vehicle and caravan purchase with the exact ratings, loaded measurements and questions to verify. Use the free worksheet, compare tools and review automated assessment scope.
Caravan dealers and buyers need confidence that a tow vehicle is suitable for the caravan being purchased. Tow capacity alone is not enough — towball download, GCM, payload and rear axle load all matter. ClearPath provides free tools and paid advisory reports to support the purchase decision.
What to check before the sale
Tow rating
Is the caravan ATM within the vehicle's braked tow capacity? Check the specific variant — not just the model range.
Towball download
Use loaded towball measurements for the proposed travel setup, then check the applicable vehicle, towbar and coupling limits. A brochure figure is not a loaded measurement.
GCM margin
Will the combined loaded weight of vehicle + caravan stay within GCM?
Payload headroom
After accessories and towball download, is there enough payload left for passengers and cargo?
Ask for the figures before choosing a combination
- Confirm the exact year, variant, fitted equipment and source of each rating.
- Separate the caravan's plate ratings from measurements of the loaded setup you intend to use.
- Record what each weighing result includes: passengers, luggage, fuel, water and accessories.
- Keep missing towball or individual axle measurements marked Unknown. A tool or purchased report cannot supply them.
Use the free caravan weight preparation worksheet with the buyer or seller. No purchase or email sign-up is needed. Entries are lost on refresh; use Print / Save PDF to keep the notes.
Reference: Transport WA Safe Towing Guide covers vehicle, trailer, towball and axle checks. Check the official sources for your state or territory for applicable rules.
Tools for dealers and buyers
- Tow Vehicle Comparison — compare up to three vehicles side-by-side
- Vehicle & Caravan Tow Match — check a specific vehicle + caravan combination
- Buying Advice — research before purchasing
For an automated digital assessment of supplied vehicle and caravan figures, consider the $99 Vehicle + Caravan Assessment. See whether your supplied weights appear within the vehicle, axle, towing and combination limits available to ClearPath — and identify what still needs to be verified.
Review fictional report examples and product scope before buying. Prices are AUD. Sign-in is required before payment. Physical weighing, personal consultation and engineering certification are separate. For broader accessory and modification planning, compare the Complete Vehicle Build Assessment — $149.
Sharing this with a customer
Dealers can share this page and the free worksheet without making a purchase. Buyers who choose a paid assessment should use their own purchasing account to retain access. Sharing a preparation resource does not establish that a combination is suitable or certified.
Calculations use manufacturer-published specifications and Australian road authority reference material, with vehicle details organised by model year, configuration and modification status.