New Design
  1. Enable New Design

Grey nomads beware: Police cracking down on overweight caravans with hefty fines

Offtopic / Everything else

Grey nomads beware: Police cracking down on overweight caravans with hefty fines

Screenshot 2025-10-14 at 13.47.58.png Grey nomads beware: Police cracking down on overweight caravans with hefty fines
Police across Australia are stepping up enforcement of caravan weight limits, with fines up to $469 and the shocking revelation that 80% of caravans checked are overweight. Image source: Lance Anderson / Unsplash. Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.

A simple post on social media about a routine traffic stop has sent shockwaves through Australia's caravan community, and for good reason.



Police across the country are stepping up enforcement of weight limits, catching drivers who thought they were getting away with overloaded rigs.





The viral post, shared by a Queensland caravan owner last week, described being pulled over in Capella where police were conducting random breath tests and weighing caravans.



'We were informed by the officer that they were weighing all caravans to check how many were on the road that exceeded their weight limits,' the driver wrote, sparking over 10,000 responses from concerned caravanners.



While Queensland Police clarified the accompanying photo was several years old, they confirmed the enforcement is very real and ongoing. And if you're thinking this is just a Queensland issue, think again—authorities nationwide are tightening the screws on overweight caravans.




'If you are pulled over and your weights are not within the specifications, you can be fined and lose licence points for every infringement'

Dave Jason, vehicle weighing expert



The price of ignorance isn't cheap



The penalties vary significantly across states, and they're not trivial amounts. New South Wales leads the pack with fines up to $469 and three demerit points for exceeding weight limits. Queensland follows with fines up to $287 and three demerit points, while Victoria's penalties range from $238 to a whopping $1,580 depending on how much you're over the limit. South Australia rounds out the major states with fines up to $591.




But the financial hit goes beyond just the initial fine. If you're involved in an accident with a non-compliant caravan, your insurance could be voided entirely, leaving you potentially facing massive repair bills and legal liability.



Understanding the weight game



For many grey nomads, the technical jargon around caravan weights can be overwhelming. Let's break it down into plain English:









Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): The maximum permissible weight of your vehicle when fully loaded, as specified by the manufacturer. This includes you, your passengers, fuel, and all your gear.



Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM): The maximum fully loaded weight of the trailer or caravan being towed by your vehicle, shown on the identification plate.



Gross Combination Mass (GCM): The total allowable weight of the towing vehicle and caravan combined.









Tow Ball Weight: The amount of weight the fully loaded caravan puts on the tow bar of the tow vehicle. The accepted tow ball weight in Australia is generally around 10 per cent of your ATM.



Did you know?


Did you know?
Australia has around 800,000 caravans and campervans registered. With caravan and camping trips growing by 67 per cent in the decade before COVID-19, more Australians than ever are hitting the road—but many aren't doing it safely.



The shocking reality check



Here's a statistic that might make you want to head straight to the nearest weighbridge: Dave Jason, who runs a vehicle and caravan weighing service across NSW and Queensland, reports that more than 80 per cent of vehicles his team checks before embarking on a trip are over the weight limit and don't meet roadworthy requirements.



'Some people are conscientious enough to want to be safe and legal, and some just aren't. They just don't care and don't want to know,' Jason told media outlets. 'We're not talking little amounts. We're talking about some of these vehicles being over by tonnes.'









Let that sink in for a moment. If Dave's figures are accurate, four out of five caravans on Australian roads could be overweight. Recent roadside checks have revealed a high incidence of overweight caravans, prompting stricter enforcement measures. If your caravan is found overweight at a checkpoint in Australia, the consequences can be significant, ranging from fines and demerit points to insurance complications and safety risks.



Getting it right: Your action plan



The solution isn't complicated, but it does require a bit of effort:




Essential steps for legal caravan travel



  • Take your loaded caravan to a public weighbridge before your first trip

  • Redistribute weight between car and caravan if you're over limits

  • Keep manufacturer specifications handy

  • Consider professional weighing services for peace of mind

  • Remember: it's not just about avoiding fines—it's about safety




Take your tow vehicle and caravan—all loaded up, including full fuel and water tanks, and ready to tour—to a registered public weighbridge and have it weighed. Hopefully you are under the legal weight limits, if not make all necessary weight reductions and reweigh your combination.









Many public weighbridges charge around $10-15 for this service—a small price to pay compared to potential fines and the peace of mind it provides.



What police are really looking for



Queensland Police have been transparent about their ongoing enforcement strategy. As part of their road safety commitment, officers 'periodically intercept and weigh vehicles towing trailers, caravans, boats and horse floats, and provide unsafe vehicles with directions to fix any issues identified at the next available opportunity.'



The good news? 'Whilst many of the vehicles weighed have been overweight, the majority of the time this can be corrected by moving items between the vehicle and its van/trailer, and vice versa,' police spokesperson said.









This suggests that many weight issues aren't due to fundamental problems with the setup, but rather poor weight distribution—something that can often be fixed on the spot.



The safety stakes are high



Towing a caravan heavier than what your vehicle is designed to handle can affect critical driving functions, such as braking, steering, and overall vehicle control. This can lead to dangerous situations, including loss of control, increased stopping distances, and instability at higher speeds.



Most large vehicle or caravan combinations can weigh between 5,500 kilograms and 6,500 kilograms. With this much weight, the combined load of a car and caravan would be a lot more challenging to handle than your average family SUV.









Did you know?


Did you know?
The maximum speed limit when towing a caravan anywhere in Australia is 100km/h, regardless of road conditions. In some states like Queensland, you must also maintain a 60-metre gap behind other caravans when driving outside built-up areas.



For those who've been caravanning for decades, it's worth remembering that modern caravans are often heavier and more luxuriously appointed than those from years past. That 1980s pop-top might have weighed 800kg, but today's family caravan with all the mod cons can easily tip the scales at 2,500kg or more.



The push for change



Like with caravan parking requirements, it's recommended you check the specific towing laws in your state or territory (or where you plan on travelling) to avoid penalties. But increasingly, road safety advocates are calling for more fundamental changes.



Dave Jason believes mandatory training or a new licence class for motorists towing larger caravans is 'absolutely necessary.' The current system, where anyone with a standard car licence can hitch up a 3.5-tonne caravan and head off into the sunset, strikes many experts as inadequate for modern caravanning realities.









A word of warning



The viral social media post that started this conversation included a sobering message: 'If the limits were excessive, the person would be spoken to about the consequences.' Police aren't just handing out fines—they're educating drivers about why these limits exist.



As Dave Jason puts it bluntly: 'It's scary to think that the oncoming vehicle travelling at 100km/h could potentially be one of the 80 per cent we see' that are overweight.



What This Means For You


With more families turning to caravanning to explore their own backyards, and the number of caravan and camping trips growing by 67 per cent in the decade before COVID-19, ensuring everyone's travelling safely isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about protecting everyone on our roads.



Before your next caravan adventure, take the time to understand your limits, get properly weighed, and load smartly. Your fellow road users—and your wallet—will thank you for it.



What's your experience with caravan weight limits? Have you ever had your rig weighed, or been caught out by police checks? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.





  • Primary Source


    https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-d...ake-with-333-fine-consequences-055420779.html





  • Penalties for Overweight Caravans—Get-A-Weigh | Mobile Vehicle Weighing

    Cited text: Recent roadside checks have revealed a high incidence of overweight caravans, prompting stricter enforcement measures. · New South Wales (NSW): Excee...


    Excerpt: The penalties vary significantly across states, and they're not trivial amounts.



    https://getaweigh.com.au/penalties-for-overweight-caravans/





  • Towing a Caravan: Check the Weight Limit for Your Vehicle | Youi

    Cited text: Not only are there hefty penalties and fines for hauling an overweight caravan, but in the unfortunate event of an accident, a non-compliant caravan c...


    Excerpt: If you're involved in an accident with a non-compliant caravan, your insurance could be voided entirely



    https://www.youi.com.au/you-connect...avan-warned-to-weigh-in-before-holiday-travel





  • Navigating Caravan Regulations in Australia—BUCKLEY & HAWKINS LAWYERS

    Cited text: Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) refers to the maximum permissible weight of a vehicle when fully loaded, as specified by the manufacturer.


    Excerpt: The maximum permissible weight of your vehicle when fully loaded, as specified by the manufacturer



    https://buckleyhawkins.com.au/2024/11/19/navigating-caravan-regulations/





  • Road access for oversize light vehicles | NSW Government

    Cited text: ATM—the maximum fully loaded weight of the trailer or caravan being towed by your vehicle, shown on the identification plate.


    Excerpt: The maximum fully loaded weight of the trailer or caravan being towed by your vehicle, shown on the identification plate



    https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boat...ation/road-access-for-oversize-light-vehicles





  • Navigating Caravan Regulations in Australia—BUCKLEY & HAWKINS LAWYERS

    Cited text: For caravan travelers, it’s also essential to understand the Gross Combination Mass (GCM), which is the total allowable weight of the towing vehicle a...


    Excerpt: The total allowable weight of the towing vehicle and caravan combined



    https://buckleyhawkins.com.au/2024/11/19/navigating-caravan-regulations/





  • Towing a Caravan: Check the Weight Limit for Your Vehicle | Youi

    Cited text: Tow ball weight (TBW): The amount of weight the fully loaded caravan puts on the tow bar of the tow vehicle. The accepted tow ball weight in Australia...


    Excerpt: The amount of weight the fully loaded caravan puts on the tow bar of the tow vehicle.



    https://www.youi.com.au/you-connect...avan-warned-to-weigh-in-before-holiday-travel





  • Penalties for Overweight Caravans—Get-A-Weigh | Mobile Vehicle Weighing

    Cited text: Authorities across Australia are intensifying efforts to enforce weight compliance among caravans.If your caravan is found overweight at a checkpoint...


    Excerpt: Recent roadside checks have revealed a high incidence of overweight caravans, prompting stricter enforcement measures.



    https://getaweigh.com.au/penalties-for-overweight-caravans/





  • Tow Vehicle and Caravan Weights

    Cited text: These weights must not be exceeded under any circumstances Knowing the maximum legal weights for your combination; take your tow vehicle and caravan -...


    Excerpt: Take your tow vehicle and caravan—all loaded up, including full fuel and water tanks, and ready to tour—to a registered public weighbridge and have it weighed.



    https://www.caravanclubsqld.org.au/understanding-tow-vehicle-and-caravan-weights/





  • Caravan Towing Capacity & Weight Limits Guide | Swag Campers

    Cited text: Towing a caravan heavier than what your vehicle is designed to handle can affect critical driving functions, such as braking, steering, and overall ve...


    Excerpt: Towing a caravan heavier than what your vehicle is designed to handle can affect critical driving functions, such as braking, steering, and overall vehicle control.



    https://www.swagcampertrailers.com.au/blog/caravan-towing-weights-limits-explained/





  • Caravan Towing Speed Limits Australia | Towing a Caravan

    Cited text: Most large vehicle or caravan combinations can weigh between 5,500 kilograms and 6,500 kilograms. With this much weight, the combined load of a car an...


    Excerpt: Most large vehicle or caravan combinations can weigh between 5,500 kilograms and 6,500 kilograms.



    https://www.lewisrv.com.au/blog/caravan-towing-speed-limits-australia/





  • Caravan Towing Capacity & Weight Limits Guide | Swag Campers

    Cited text: Like with caravan parking requirements, it’s recommended you check the specific towing laws in your state or territory (or where you plan on travellin...


    Excerpt: Like with caravan parking requirements, it's recommended you check the specific towing laws in your state or territory (or where you plan on travelling) to avoid penalties



    https://www.swagcampertrailers.com.au/blog/caravan-towing-weights-limits-explained/





  • Towing a Caravan: Check the Weight Limit for Your Vehicle | Youi

    Cited text: In recent times, more families have turned to caravanning to explore their own backyards. The number of caravan and camping trips grew by 67 per cent in the d...


    Excerpt: more families turning to caravanning to explore their own backyards, and the number of caravan and camping trips growing by 67 per cent in the decade before COVID-19



    https://www.youi.com.au/you-connect...avan-warned-to-weigh-in-before-holiday-travel



Last edited:
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: PattiB and Dynomite

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
A lot of people used to think the weight was empty caravan or trailer. It is surprising how much weight your additions is.
 
When they started manufacturing the new types of caravans all the hype was about how much lighter they were compared to older vans then they started to get bigger and filled with all the mod cons of home,tvs,dishwashers,showers. My Neighbours did a course on towing load weights and how to load the van safely. I think those courses should be mandatory for all new caravan owners.
 
Most large vehicle or caravan combinations can weigh between 5,500 kilograms and 6,500 kilograms. With this much weight, the combined load of a car and caravan would be a lot more challenging to handle than your average family SUV.

However, a C class licence in Queensland only allows you to drive a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass of up to 4.5 tonnes.

So you have a myriad of 70 and 80 year old fossils driving their overweight missiles with reduced reaction times and deteriorating eyesight in total disregard of the law. Make them get a Light Rigid licence or get off the road!
 
Most large vehicle or caravan combinations can weigh between 5,500 kilograms and 6,500 kilograms. With this much weight, the combined load of a car and caravan would be a lot more challenging to handle than your average family SUV.

However, a C class licence in Queensland only allows you to drive a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass of up to 4.5 tonnes.

So you have a myriad of 70 and 80 year old fossils driving their overweight missiles with reduced reaction times and deteriorating eyesight in total disregard of the law. Make them get a Light Rigid licence or get off the road!
and so they should
 
We used to caravan around Australia regularly. Our afternoon was spent laughing at the way some didn't have a clue on how to back a van. One chap got annoyed at us and handed hubby his keys and said " you find it funny, do better" hubby straightened up the van and put it in first go. The way some load their vans and have trouble connecting to the car as the van tilts to the back. We still think caravans are a semi articulated vehicle and the drivers should have to be licenced. No hubby didn't have a semi licence just understood how vehicles under tow moved.
 
Reversing a trailer requires sorcery & witchcraft ie I'm useless at it.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Veggiepatch

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×