Trailer weights explained. GW, GA, etc

[aspenarb]

Ah right! Cheers, finally got to the bottom of it. But what does the 'A' actually stand for word wise? Gross 'Action', Gross 'Angle' etc, etc??

 

The trailer plate says the gross axle weight is 1300kg and the GA is 1400kg.

 

The maximum nose weight for the tow hitch on the car is specified at 60kg.... yet it's rated to pull a maximum of 1300kg on a braked trailer. ?????

 

Very confusing.

Cheers, steve

 

Better explained from here

 

How to measure and adjust your caravan's noseweight - Caravan Guard Blog

 

Extract from above

 

The correct noseweight for the caravan is the lowest of three noseweight figures: that of the caravan chassis manufacturer; that of the tow vehicle manufacturer; and that of the towbar manufacturer. The chassis manufacturer stamps both the maximum noseweight and the maximum load that the coupling is designed to carry on the coupling. These figures are identified by the letters ‘S’ and ‘GA’ respectively. The towcar’s maximum noseweight will be found in the owner’s manual, whilst the maximum noseweight on the towbar will be found on the towbar plate. Whichever is the lowest is the one you have to work to.

[monkeybusiness]

Slight derail but can anyone confirm whether the legal limit for younger drivers that can only tow 750 kg is a trailer with a gw of 750kg or an actual all up weight of 750kg or less irrespective of the gw? The reason I am slightly confused is that I know that when it comes to vehicles' gross train weights they go on the actual weight of the trailer irrespective of its gw (ie a vehicle that can only tow 2700 kg can legally tow a trailer with a gw of 3500kg as long as it is not loaded above a total weight of 2700kg - is this the same ruling with younger drivers)?

[wicklamulla]

my understanding is that the 750kg refers to the groos 'all up' weight ie; the weight of the trailer and the contents within the trailer, so if the trailer weighs 250kg then you can only put 500kg into it. I also believe that if your vehicle can only tow 2700kg and you decide to tow around an empty 3500kg trailer you can potentially 'be done' for intent !!!