Trailer weights: why do they matter?
Trailer weights, including tare, payload, and ATM, are vital for planning safe and seamless towing journeys. Sharing how much a trailer weighs helps hirers make informed decisions about whether their car can handle the trailer and how much extra cargo it can safely carry.
Where to find trailer weights: VIN plate
To find a trailer's weight info, look for the compliance VIN plate on the trailer's drawbar or side. It shows the maximum allowed weight for the trailer listed as tare and ATM.
Payload: the carrying capacity
Payload refers to the maximum weight that a trailer can carry safely. It tells you how much weight you can load onto the trailer without risking safety during towing.
Tare: the unladen trailer weight
Tare is the weight of the empty trailer. If you can't find this on the VIN plate you could calculate this by subtracting the payload from the ATM.
ATM: combined weight when fully loaded
Aggregate Trailer Mass, ATM, is the total weight of a loaded trailer. It includes the weight of the trailer itself, plus the weight of the maximum amount of cargo. If you can't find this on the VIN plate you could calculate this by adding the payload and the tare together.
