Have you been left scratching your head after hearing about payload, ATM, GCM, TBM, tare?
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to how much you can put in your caravan, and what vehicle can safely tow your van as well. An overweight camper, pop-top hybrid or caravan is not only dangerous, it can also void your insurance in an accident.
Here’s What You Need TO Know
Tare | TARE MAss
Tare mass is the base weight of the caravan or camper at the time of manufacture without any payload or after-market accessories, without water in the tanks or the gas bottles filled.
ATM | Aggregate Trailer Mass
ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) is the manufacturer’s maximum specified weight of your loaded caravan or camper and is measured unhitched and sitting on its jockey wheel and axle(s).
Payload
Payload is all the bits you add on or load up to take away (this also includes your filled gas bottles and water tanks).
GTM | Gross Trailer Mass
GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) is the maximum weight your caravan or camper can be at its axle(s) and is sometimes referred to as the axle capacity. Generally, this is measured while the caravan or camper wheels are sitting on a weighbridge but the hitched tow vehicle is not.
TBM | Tow Ball Mass
TBM (Tow Ball Mass) is the effective mass on the tow ball from the trailer hitch. The maximum TBM is not typically specified by the manufacturer but as a guide should be up to 10% of the ATM.
GCM | Gross Combined Mass
GCM (Gross Combined Mass) is when you weigh your tow vehicle and your caravan or camper when they are fully loaded.
Matt was great to deal with, really happy with our SCT13 family Van. Towed really well across all the twisty alpine roads. Now to start the adventure and make some memories with the kids.
After a long wait, through no fault of Swag, we finally took delivery of our Sag SCT13 today. Terry gave. Us a very in-depth handover and we left the showroom feeling confident. We cannot fault the service that we have received to date and we look forward to our first adventure knowing that Terry is just a phone call away if needed. All in all, a very good company to deal with.
Great experience with friendly helpful sales staff that really take the time to listen to your needs and competitive pricing. If you are looking for a caravan or camper trailer give these guys a go.
Thank you, Damien, for the handover today at Rocklea.
Professional and thorough handover of our SCT16 from Matt at Epping. Very excited for our shakedown this weekend and trying out all the features.
My wife and I picked up our SCT15 and we couldn’t be happier! Terry was an absolute professional and made our experience very memorable. We can’t wait to begin our adventures.
I chose Swag because it’s a family owned business and I know the owners; their family is very important to them and they bring that into this business. When I make a purchase like this, an investment, I like to feel a part of the family.
I would like to say a big thanks to Lisa and the staff at Swag for taking care of a small warranty claim on our SCT16 PT Van. Definitely noticed a good vibe around the team which makes for a pleasant outcome.
We have just returned from a round trip from Ballarat to Wollongong. The van is a beast! So easy to tow (through torrential rain and 70kmh wind gusts. We camped for three nights completely off gird. The battery upgrade in the Gen6 didn’t even blink with lights on every night, kids watching movies, charging phones, etc.
Designed with off grid living in mind, our hybrid and off-road caravans are equipped with everything you need to get off the beaten track. With two 150W solar panels, coupled with two 170AH lithium batteries, you'll have ample energy and storage to keep your essential devices running, even during those cloudy days. The 2000W inverter ensures you can power various household appliances, making your off-grid experience comfortable and convenient. Additionally, the 200L fresh water storage provides you with a reliable source of clean water for all your daily needs.
