Buying a boat package
Ask what the quoted weight includes and obtain the actual trailer and vehicle ratings.
TowSense / Boats & boat trailers
Look beyond the boat's advertised weight.
Bring together the boat, trailer, engine, fuel, equipment and loaded tow vehicle figures.
Suggested starting point
Vehicle + Caravan Assessment · A$99
For a tow vehicle and loaded trailer combination, including a boat trailer. The product name says caravan; its scope also covers other trailer combinations with the required ratings and measurements.
One-off automated digital assessment, not a personal consultation. Review the required inputs before paying. Missing figures remain unknown; payment does not verify them.
Start with the whole picture
The loaded boat and trailer are one part of the picture.
Published boat weight may not describe the combination you tow. Prepare figures for the trailer, engine, fuel, batteries and equipment, together with the loaded tow vehicle.
Adding equipment
Account for batteries, fuel, fishing gear and other additions without counting items twice.
Preparing to tow
Use measurements for the actual loaded setup and confirm the coupling configuration.
What to gather first
- Boat and trailer identification
- Trailer ATM, GTM and other documented limits
- Engine, fuel, batteries and carried equipment
- Loaded tow vehicle and axle measurements
- Actual trailer and coupling measurements
Prepare your boat-and-trailer figures
Check what each quoted weight includes before recording the package as a complete loaded trailer.
Reference diagram, not to scale. Follow the selected tool and weighing-service instructions.
- A · Vehicle
- Record the vehicle axle readings and whether the trailer was connected.
- B · Coupling
- Keep an actual coupling measurement separate from documented coupling limits.
- C · Trailer
- Distinguish the trailer axle-group reading from the whole loaded trailer mass.
Check included components
Confirm whether the boat figure includes the engine, fuel, batteries and equipment. Keep the trailer's own information separate.
Gather ratings and readings
Record documented trailer limits and actual loaded measurements separately. Include the tow vehicle's passengers, fuel and cargo.
Keep the same setup
Use matching loaded vehicle and trailer readings and identify the coupling and hitch setting. Follow the selected tool's supported measurement method.
Before you continue
Is the advertised boat weight enough?
Not necessarily. Confirm which components it includes and prepare figures for the complete loaded trailer.
Does this assess launch-ramp traction or boat handling?
No. Launch-ramp performance, marine handling and dynamic towing behaviour are outside the loading assessment.
Review the boat package as a complete setup.
Start with measurements if the advertised figures do not describe everything you tow.
Have the loaded combination figures?
Review the existing towing assessment and its scope before continuing.
Vehicle + Caravan Assessment — A$99Need help preparing the figures?
Explore the detailed calculator's measurement and coupling requirements.
Explore weight distribution