The following weight definitions are from the Standards/Australian Design Rules for Vehicles. There are often different interpretations found online, so sometimes it’s best to go to the source.
AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS (ATM)
The total mass of the laden trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by the ‘Manufacturer’. This will include any mass imposed onto the drawing vehicle when the ‘Combination Vehicle’ is resting on a horizontal supporting plane.
GROSS COMBINATION MASS (GCM)
The value specified for the vehicle by the ‘Manufacturer’ as being the maximum of the sum of the Gross Vehicle Mass of the drawing vehicle plus the sum of the ‘Axle Loads’ of any vehicle capable of being drawn as a trailer.
GROSS TRAILER MASS (GTM)
The mass transmitted to the ground by the ‘Axle’ or ‘Axles’ of the trailer when coupled to a drawing vehicle and carrying its maximum load approximately uniformly distributed over the load bearing area, and at which compliance with the appropriate Australian Design Rules has been or can be established.
GROSS VEHICLE MASS (GVM)
The maximum laden mass of a motor vehicle as specified by the ‘Manufacturer’.
LADEN MASS
The mass of a vehicle and its load borne on the surface on which it is standing or running.
LOAD CAPACITY
The difference between the ‘GVM’ of the vehicle and its ‘Tare Mass’.
RATED TOWING CAPACITY
The lesser of either;
– the rating given to the towing equipment fitted to the motor vehicle or,
– the difference between ‘Gross Combination Mass’ and ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’.
SINGLE AXLE
Either one ‘Axle’, or 2 ‘Axles’ with centres between transverse, parallel, vertical planes spaced less than 1.0 m apart.
TANDEM AXLE GROUP
A group of at least 2 ‘Axles’, in which the horizontal distance between the centre lines of the outermost axles is at least 1.0 metre, but not more than 2.0 metre.
TARE MASS
Mass of a vehicle other than a L-group vehicle ready for service, unoccupied and unladen, with all fluid reservoirs, filled to nominal capacity except for fuel, which shall be 10 litres only, and with all standard equipment and any options fitted.
TOTAL COMBINATION MASS (TCM)
The combined mass of the laden or unladen trailer and the towing vehicle.
UNLADEN MASS
The mass of the vehicle in running order unoccupied and unladen with all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity including fuel, and with all standard equipment.
UNLADEN TRAILER MASS (UTM)
The mass transmitted to the ground by the ‘Axle’ or ‘Axles’ of the trailer when coupled to a drawing vehicle and in its normal unladen condition, and at which compliance with the appropriate Australian Design Rules has been or can be established.
The following weight definitions are from the Standards/Australian Design Rules for Vehicles. There are often different interpretations found online, so sometimes it’s best to go to the source.
AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS (ATM)
The total mass of the laden trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by the ‘Manufacturer’. This will include any mass imposed onto the drawing vehicle when the ‘Combination Vehicle’ is resting on a horizontal supporting plane.
GROSS COMBINATION MASS (GCM)
The value specified for the vehicle by the ‘Manufacturer’ as being the maximum of the sum of the Gross Vehicle Mass of the drawing vehicle plus the sum of the ‘Axle Loads’ of any vehicle capable of being drawn as a trailer.
GROSS TRAILER MASS (GTM)
The mass transmitted to the ground by the ‘Axle’ or ‘Axles’ of the trailer when coupled to a drawing vehicle and carrying its maximum load approximately uniformly distributed over the load bearing area, and at which compliance with the appropriate Australian Design Rules has been or can be established.
GROSS VEHICLE MASS (GVM)
The maximum laden mass of a motor vehicle as specified by the ‘Manufacturer’.
LADEN MASS
The mass of a vehicle and its load borne on the surface on which it is standing or running.
LOAD CAPACITY
The difference between the ‘GVM’ of the vehicle and its ‘Tare Mass’.
RATED TOWING CAPACITY
The lesser of either;
– the rating given to the towing equipment fitted to the motor vehicle or,
– the difference between ‘Gross Combination Mass’ and ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’.
SINGLE AXLE
Either one ‘Axle’, or 2 ‘Axles’ with centres between transverse, parallel, vertical planes spaced less than 1.0 m apart.
TANDEM AXLE GROUP
A group of at least 2 ‘Axles’, in which the horizontal distance between the centre lines of the outermost axles is at least 1.0 metre, but not more than 2.0 metre.
TARE MASS
Mass of a vehicle other than a L-group vehicle ready for service, unoccupied and unladen, with all fluid reservoirs, filled to nominal capacity except for fuel, which shall be 10 litres only, and with all standard equipment and any options fitted.
TOTAL COMBINATION MASS (TCM)
The combined mass of the laden or unladen trailer and the towing vehicle.
UNLADEN MASS
The mass of the vehicle in running order unoccupied and unladen with all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity including fuel, and with all standard equipment.
UNLADEN TRAILER MASS (UTM)
The mass transmitted to the ground by the ‘Axle’ or ‘Axles’ of the trailer when coupled to a drawing vehicle and in its normal unladen condition, and at which compliance with the appropriate Australian Design Rules has been or can be established.
