Towing guide · 4 min read
Can my cartow it?
A loaded car trailer is heavy. Here's how to check — in about five minutes — whether your vehicle is rated to tow one.
Updated 7 October 2026 · FSF Hire, Western Sydney
Quick answer
Your vehicle's braked towing capacity has to cover the trailer's own weight plus the car you're carrying. The CT177 is rated to 3,500 kg GVM, so you'll usually need a ute or 4WD rated to tow up to 3,500 kg. Find the figure in your owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website, and check your towbar and tow ball ratings too — the lowest rating is your limit.
Step 1: work out the loaded trailer weight
Add together the trailer's own empty weight (its tare), the car you're carrying, and anything inside that car. That total is what your vehicle is actually towing. Ask us for the CT177's tare weight when you book and we'll help you do the sum.
Not sure what the car weighs? The kerb weight is in its owner's manual or the manufacturer's spec sheet. Remember to allow for fuel, tools and spares left in the boot.
Step 2: find your vehicle's braked towing capacity
Every vehicle has a maximum braked towing capacity set by the manufacturer. It's in the owner's manual and on the manufacturer's website for your exact model and variant.
Check the exact variant — the same model can have different ratings depending on engine, gearbox and drivetrain. Many dual-cab utes and large 4WDs are rated to 3,500 kg; most sedans, hatchbacks and smaller SUVs are rated well below that.
Step 3: check the towbar and tow ball
Your towbar and tow ball each carry their own rating, usually stamped on them or on a plate. If your vehicle is rated to 3,500 kg but the towbar is rated to 2,500 kg, your limit is 2,500 kg. The lowest rating in the chain is the one that counts.
Step 4: don't forget ball weight and GCM
Tow ball weight (or download) is how much of the trailer's weight presses down on your tow ball. A common rule of thumb is around 10% of the loaded trailer weight. Your vehicle has a maximum tow ball weight — check it, and position the car on the deck so you stay under it. Our guide to loading a low car covers positioning.
GCM (gross combination mass) is the maximum your vehicle and trailer can weigh together, including passengers and gear in the tow vehicle. On some utes you can't max out the tray and the towing capacity at the same time, so check the GCM figure as well.
Still not sure?
Call us on 0490 429 175 with your vehicle's make, model and year and the car you're moving, and we'll help you work it out before you book.
Common questions
Can I tow a car trailer with an SUV?
Only if its braked towing capacity, towbar and tow ball ratings all cover the loaded trailer weight. Many SUVs are rated well under 3,500 kg, which often isn't enough once a car is on the deck — check your exact model.
Where do I find my towing capacity?
In the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website for your exact variant. The towbar and tow ball have their own ratings, usually stamped on them.