Towing
guide
Holden LC & RV
Fitting the most appropriate towing
equipment to ensure safe towing
under all conditions is not about
guesswork – knowledge is the key.
Holden LC & RV
Towing Guide
Everyday, in every corner of Australia,
a wide variety of vehicles take to the
roads towing trailers. They can be
anything from tradesmen towing their
tools and equipment, to holiday makers
with a caravan or simply a box trailer
taking a load to the local tip. With such
widespread use it’s easy for some
drivers to become blasé about towing.
Drivers have a responsibility to other
road users to ensure safe towing
operation. They not only need to comply
with relevant federal and state towing
regulations but also need to take into
account a range of factors related to
their specific vehicle/trailer combination
and the towing equipment fitted.
This towing guide is designed to highlight
potential problems and provide both
general towing information and specific
information related to Holden light
commercial and recreational vehicles.
However, when it comes to towing
safely with a particular vehicle, the
owner’s handbook should always have
the final say.
Definitions
To better understand the various aspects involved in safe towing, it’s
essential to have a good grasp of the terminology used. Following is
a list of the more common terms.
Unladen Mass or Kerb Mass –
is the weight of the vehicle in running order, unoccupied and unladen with
all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity (including fuel) and with all
standard equipment fitted.
Gross Vehicle Mass Rating (GVMR) –
is the maximum allowable mass of a vehicle. It includes luggage
passengers, a full tank of fuel, tow bar ball load and any other accessories
fitted to the vehicle including LPG tanks. It’s based on vehicle design factors
such as strength of the frame, spring fitment, tyre rates and axle capacities.
Gross Towed Mass Rating (GTMR) – is the maximum allowable mass
of a trailer (including load) that may be towed by the vehicle.
Gross Combination Mass
Rating (GCMR) – is the maximum allowable combined mass of the
towing vehicle (including passengers, luggage, a full tank of fuel and any
accessories fitted to the vehicle including LPG tanks) and the towed trailer
(including its load).
Front Axle Load and Rear Axle Load –
is the maximum allowable weight supported by the front and rear axles,
respectively. The combination of the front and rear axle load should never
exceed the GVMR. The tow bar ball load should always be taken into
account when determining the rear axle load.
Tow Bar Ball Load – when connected to a towing
vehicle, a portion of the trailer’s weight is applied downwards through
the tow ball to the tow bar and hence to the towing vehicle. This
weight is referred to as the ‘tow bar ball weight’ or ‘ball load’.
Trailer – where the word ‘trailer’ is used throughout this guide
it is intended to include all types of towed vehicles, such as caravans,
boat trailers or any other special purpose trailer.
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Choosing
towing
equipment
In order to fit the correct towing equipment to suit a vehicle
and its application some homework is essential. Firstly, the
vehicle owner’s handbook should be consulted to check the
Gross Towed Mass Rating for the vehicle. Then, the loaded
weight of the intended trailer to be towed must be known
to ensure that it is within the vehicle’s GTMR and a tow bar
should be chosen which exceeds the trailers load capacity.
It may be possible to check a tow bar that’s already fitted
since all tow bars manufactured after July 1st 1988 are
marked with their load capacity.
Caution: Holden towing equipment is recommended where
it is available. Where it is not available, no recommendation
is made as to the make of equipment to be used. Holden
will not accept liability for defects occurring in towing
equipment not marketed by Holden or for defects in the
vehicle arising from the use of such equipment. The use of
such equipnment may void the New Vehicle Warranty, to
the extent that Holden considers the overloading or missing
equipment to have affected the specifications, quality or
performance of the vehicle.
On the road
When towing, the additional ball load the trailer places
on the vehicle should be taken into account. If the ball load
is too light or too heavy the steering, handling and ride
characteristics of the vehicle can be adversely affected.
As a general guideline, for single axle trailers the ball load
should be approximately 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
For heavy trailers with more than one axle, the ball load
should be in the range 5% - 10% of the loaded trailer
weight. It may be possible to adjust the ball load by
redistributing the contents of the trailer forward or
backward to change the trailer’s balance.
Heavier trailers such as caravans, boats and horse floats
can apply even greater ball load over the rear of the tow
vehicle, raising the front and causing a reduction in steering
and braking control. The fitment of a load distribution hitch
(or load equalising hitch) can counteract this and several
types and sizes are on the market. Typically, a special fitting
on the ball hitch is used to attach a pair of springy rods
(about one metre long) which are held parallel to the
trailer’s draw bar by short chains. The chains are tensioned
to pull up on the rods. This has the effect of reducing rear
axle load and increasing front axle load, thus more evenly
balancing the tow vehicle and helping to redistribute the
overall load which leads to safer, more comfortable towing.
Load Distribution Hitches should only be used in accordance
with the vehicle manufacturers recommendations, as some
towbar systems are not suitable for use with load
distribution hitches.
In certain circumstances, even when the trailer’s load is
correctly distributed and a load distribution hitch is fitted,
the trailer can still experience some ‘sway’ caused by
cross winds, passing trucks, etc. This is where a sway control
system can help and, again, there are several on the market
including ‘Dual Cam’ and ‘Friction’ systems.
While some owner handbooks recommend trailer brakes
be fitted at lesser weights, national road regulations state
that all trailers with a total mass (including load) exceeding
750kg must be fitted with brakes.
In certain circumstances it may not be possible to
tow a fully laden trailer (total trailer mass near or
equal to the GTMR) with a fully laden vehicle
(total vehicle mass near or equal to the GVMR),
because the total combined mass of the
vehicle/trailer combination may exceed
the Gross Combination Mass
Rating (GCMR). In such cases
it is necessary to reduce the
load in either or both the
towing vehicle and the trailer
so that the combined mass
of the towing vehicle and
trailer is less than the GCMR.
If it’s suspected that a vehicle/trailer combination is at or
near GCMR, it may be necessary to use a public weighbridge
to check that the vehicle’s, the trailer’s or the towing
equipment’s capacity has not been exceeded.
Towing increases the workload on a vehicle’s transmission
(particularly automatic transmissions), which can cause it
to become hotter than under normal driving conditions.
Prolonged high temperature use has the potential to damage
or reduce the life of the transmission so to counteract this the
fitment of additional cooling equipment should be considered.
Federal, State and Territory Regulations
Note that there are various regulations related to towing
and that these can vary between the different states and
territories. These regulations normally cover the maximum
allowable mass of the trailer and the maximum allowable
driving speeds. Drivers must be familiar with the towing
regulations for each of the states and territories in which
they intend to tow. Details of the regulations are available
from the relevant state or territory road traffic authority
or motoring association.
Tow i ng
Precautions
Holden Towing
System
Components
Check the operation of all lights and realign headlights with a
loaded trailer attached.
When towing, inflate the vehicle’s tyres to the maximum
recommended pressure.
Tighten the tow ball retaining nut to the torque specified by the
manufacturer.
Use extended-arm rear vision mirrors when towing a wide trailer.
Ensure that all loads are properly secured. If possible, loads should
be placed in the centre of the trailer/caravan, i.e. above the axle.
It’s a good idea to make a couple of short-distance trips to
become familiar with the handling characteristics of the vehicle
when towing.
A vehicle/trailer combination occupies more space on the road
which should be kept in mind when cornering and manoeuvring.
Ensure that trailers, caravans, etc. are correctly maintained and
serviced.
Driving speed should be reduced and sudden steering manoeuvres
should be avoided to minimize the affect of trailer weight on
vehicle control.
If a trailer has poor directional stability seek expert advice
eg. the trailer’s manufacturer or retailer.
Slow the vehicle and use a low gear, in addition to the vehicle’s
brakes, when descending steep hills.
Be familiar with the towing regulations for each of the states in
which you intend to tow.
Trailer brakes must be adequate for the braking needs of the trailer
and must not adversely affect the performance of the towing
vehicle’s brakes.
More frequent vehicle maintenance is required when it is used to
pull a trailer.
The Basic Towing Kit
Tow Balls And Covers
Equalising Hitches
V8 Transmission Oil Cooler
Wiring Harness
All pictured accessories are Holden Commodore
parts for illustration purposes only.
All 5 door V6 (UES)
Transmission Manual Auto Manual Automatic
Kerb Mass (kg) 1810 1825 1810 1835
GVMR (kg) 2400
GCMR (kg) 4400
GTMR (kg) with trailer brakes 2000
GTMR (kg) without trailer brakes 750
Max. Ball Load (kg) 200
Front Axle Capacity (kg) 1150
Rear Axle Capacity (kg) 1350
Roof Rack Capacity (kg) 60kg (on-road use) 30kg (off-road use) 91kg
J ackaroo J ackaroo SE S Monterey
Combo
Kerb Mass (kg) 1075
GVMR (kg) 1620
GTMR (kg) with trailer brakes 750
GTMR (kg) without trailer brakes 450
Max. Ball Load (kg) 50
Front Axle Capacity (kg) 740
Rear Axle Capacity (kg) 970
Roof Rack Capacity (kg) 100
Frontera Frontera S Frontera SE
Engine 3.5 V6 3.0 T/D 3.5 V6 3.0 T/D 3.5 V6 3.0 T/D
Transmission M A M A M A M A A A
Kerb Mass (kg) 1925 1940 2045 2045 2030 2045 2150 2150 2084 2189
GVMR (kg) 2600
GCMR (kg) 5100
GTMR (kg) with trailer brakes 2500
GTMR (kg) without trailer brakes 750
Max. Ball Load (kg) 250
Front Axle Capacity (kg) 1250
Rear Axle Capacity (kg) 1500
Roof Rack Capacity (kg) 50
J ackaroo J ackaroo SE Monterey
J ackaroo J ackaroo SE S Monterey
Kerb Mass (kg) Refer to owners manual or brochure
GVMR (kg) 2730 2740
GCMR (kg) 3730 3740
GTMR (kg) with trailer brakes 1800 1800
GTMR (kg) without trailer brakes 700 700
Max. Ball Load (kg) 180 180
Front Axle Capacity (kg) 1050 1150
Rear Axle Capacity (kg) 1680 1680
Rodeo 4x2 Rodeo 4x4
J ackaroo Jackaroo SE S Monterey
Ute ÔSÕ ÔSSÕ
Engine 3800 V6 Gen III V8 3800 V6 Gen III V8 Gen III V8
Transmission M A M A M A M A M A
Kerb Mass (kg) 1510 1535 1575 1585 1540 1565 1605 1615 1610 1620
GVMR (kg) Refer to the safety compliance plate located in the engine bay on the firewall passenger side
GTMR (kg) with trailer brakes 1600
GTMR (kg) without trailer brakes 1200
Max. Ball Load (kg) 160
Front Axle Capacity (kg) 940 1015
Rear Axle Capacity (kg) 1350 1260
Towing Specifications -
Please Note: If towing between 1200kg and 1600kg in a V6 Ute, an automatic transmission is essential.