Why Kawana trucks need this work
A lot of Kawana trucks are rated to tow more than their combined weight ever allows once the truck, passengers, fuel and gear are counted. Around Birtinya, Warana and Bokarina we regularly see combinations that are legal on the trailer's own rating but already over GCM before the boat or van is even hooked up — that's an insurance and licensing risk, not just a technicality.
What's included
- Compliance plate figures confirmed for GVM, GCM, axle ratings and braked towing capacity
- Truck weighed as you'd actually drive it — fuel, passengers, canopy, tools
- Tow ball download checked against the trailer's actual mass, not an estimate
- Brake controller supply and calibration checked against the trailer's brakes
- Written recommendation — load support, weight distribution hitch, or a GVM/GCM upgrade if genuinely needed
| Figure | What limits it | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| GVM | Truck alone, fully loaded | Forgetting tow ball download counts against it |
| GCM | Truck plus trailer combined | Assuming the trailer's rating is all that matters |
| Braked towing capacity | Trailer mass alone | Ignoring GCM once it's exceeded |
| Axle rating | Weight on each axle | Loading the tray or canopy over the rear axle limit |
Getting here from Kawana
Our workshop is at 46 Regent St, Caloundra — 12 minutes from Kawana. Most Kawana customers drop the truck off in the morning and collect it the same day where the job allows, so towing capacity check doesn't cost you a second trip. If you're coming in from Birtinya, Warana and Bokarina, call ahead and we'll have the hoist free when you arrive.
Fixed-price minor servicing starts at $469 (1500-series) and $599 (HD-series). All other work — including towing capacity & gvm assessment — is quoted before we start, with no surprises on the invoice.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know my actual towing limit before a trip from Kawana?
- Check your compliance plate for GVM, GCM and braked towing capacity, then weigh the truck loaded as you'd actually drive it. Whichever figure you hit first is your real limit, not the biggest number on the brochure.
- Can you check my towing setup before I head off from Kawana?
- Yes — bring the truck and trailer together if you can, or recent weighbridge tickets. We're 12 minutes from Kawana, so it's an easy trip to get sorted before a big tow.
- Do you set trucks up for boat towing, not just caravans?
- Yes — brake controllers, load support and hitch setup are the same principles whether you're towing a van or a boat off the Kawana ramp.
- My truck smells hot after towing to the boat ramp — is that normal?
- Short heavy-load trips to a boat ramp are harder on cooling and brakes than steady highway towing. Bring it in and we'll check brake temperatures and coolant condition.