Light Vehicle Towing & Trailer Regulations
(GVM 4.5 tonnes or less)

Towing Trailers with a Load

There are regulations that relate to how trailers are to be loaded and towed by a vehicle.  They have been put in place to ensure that trailers are used effectively and safely on the road, with minimised potential to harm individuals and other road users. Before towing a trailer, please ensure that allsafety measures and towing regulations have been met.

The below information covers the key requirements relating to the towing of trailers. Detailed information is contained in the Road Traffic Act and Regulations, 1961.

Towing Mass Limits

The maximum mass that can be towed by a vehicle is dependent upon a number of criteria. The loaded mass of a trailer or caravan must not exceed:

1. 1 The rated capacity of both the tow bar and tow coupling .
2. 2 The towing mass specified by the vehicle manufacturer , or the GCM* (Gross Combination Mass) specified on the vehicle's registration certificate.

NOTE: The manufacturer of the towing vehicle may specify two different towing limits for the towing vehicle, depending on whether the trailer is fitted with brakes or not.

No Manufacturer's Specifications?

If the motor vehicle manufacturer has not specified a maximum towing mass and a GCM* is not specified on the vehicle's registration certificate, the rules below apply. These vary according to the trailer's braking system.

• *For a trailer fitted with brakes directly operated by the driver, the mass of the trailer must not exceed 1.5 times the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle.
• *For a trailer fitted with Over-Ride/Over-Run brakes not directly operated by the driver, the mass of the trailer must not exceed the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle.
• *For a trailer not fitted with brakes the mass of trailer must not exceed the unloaded mass of the towing vehicle or a GTM* (Gross Trailer Mass) of 750 kg , whichever is the lesser.

Trailer Braking Regulations:  

1. Trailers must be fitted with brakes if the GTM* exceeds 750 kg.
2. Over-Ride/Over-Run brakes are acceptable up to a GTM* of 2 tonnes.
3. Where the GTM* exceeds 2 tonnes the braking system must be fitted with a breakawaysystem that causes the brakes to be applied if the trailer becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle.

Note: These braking regulations apply within the towing mass limits detailed above.

This information was sourced from information supplied by Transport SA.