GVM of a catering trailer - weight, load capacity, axles and chassis selection

GVM is one of the most important parameters of a catering trailer, and at the same time one of the most often underestimated at the beginning of the investment. The actual weight includes not only the structure, equipment and development, but also tanks, water, products, packaging and equipment carried during transport.

The problem occurs especially when the trailer is first designed for a specific size or 750 kg limit, and only then the equipment is selected. The devices can fit inside, but their combined weight leaves too little room for normal use.

Therefore, the GVM should be analyzed in parallel with the interior design, choice of equipment and towing vehicle.

What does trailer GVM mean?

GVM means Gross Weight.

Simply put, it is the maximum weight with which a given vehicle can move on the road in accordance with specific technical parameters.

In the case of a catering trailer, it is not only about the structure itself.

The weight of the finished trailer includes, among others:

*stainless steel,

• furniture development,
• electrical installation,
• water installation,
• tanks,
• devices,
• water,
• products,
• packaging,
• cylinders,
• tools,
• cleaning products,
• other equipment carried while driving.

The Road Traffic Law defines the GVM as the highest mass of a vehicle loaded with people and cargo, determined by technical conditions, permitted to travel on the road.

This is a very important distinction.

If the trailer has a GVM of 750 kg, the entire trailer must remain within this limit during transport.

It is not 750 kg of the structure itself plus any amount of equipment.

Curb weight, GVM, actual weight and payload – what's the difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably and do not mean the same thing.

Empty weight

To put it simply, it is the weight of the vehicle itself along with its normal equipment.

It does not indicate the maximum weight with which the vehicle can travel.

Permissible total weight

This is the maximum weight of the vehicle including load.

Actual total weight

This is the mass that the vehicle actually has at a given moment.

Permissible load capacity

This is the difference between the GVM and the vehicle's curb weight. This is how the Road Traffic Law defines it.

This can be represented in a simple model:

So if:

• GVM = 1300 kg,
• mass of the finished trailer = 950 kg,

then the theoretical difference is 350 kg.

From this difference, you also have to "finance with mass" everything that is not covered by the mass of the trailer in a given configuration.

Therefore, the information itself:

"the trailer has a GVM of 1,300 kg"

is insufficient.

You also need to know how much the finished structure weighs.

Why is DMC so important in a catering trailer?

In a traditional transport trailer, the load can sometimes simply be reduced.

It's more difficult in the gastronomy industry.

Most of the weight is created by elements necessary to run the business.

You can't say:

"we'll leave the fryer at home to stay within the GVM."

If the device is part of work technology, it must be in the trailer.

The same applies to:

• cooling,
• countertops,
• installation,
• tanks,
• sink,
• hood,
• furnace,
• toaster ovens,
• rotisserie.

This is why the mass should be analyzed before construction.

If the problem is noticed only after the development is completed, the possibilities for changes are much smaller.

Light trailer up to 750 kg – what does it actually mean?

According to Polish regulations, a light trailer is a trailer whose GVM does not exceed 750 kg.

This means that 750 kg includes:

structure + bodywork + equipment + load transported while driving.

A light trailer is attractive, among other things, because in certain configurations it can be towed by a driver with category B. The Vehicle Drivers Act allows you to drive a vehicle with a GVW of up to 3.5 t together with a light trailer.

But the transport advantage does not mean that 750 kg is the appropriate limit for every business.

Can full catering fit in 750 kg?

It depends on the project.

For a very simple concept, limited equipment and lightweight construction this may be possible.

However, as the menu expands, the mass reserve quickly disappears.

Let's imagine a trailer that will contain:

• refrigerator,
• freezer,
• fryer,
• grill,
• hood,
• sink,
• tanks,
• boiler,
• furniture,
• steel countertops,
• electrical installation,
• products.

Each of these elements takes up part of the available limit.

In practice, with a GVM of 750 kg, the biggest problem is not even "fitting in the equipment", but leaving a reasonable load capacity for normal use.

A trailer may look great when empty, but if there is very little left after the permanent equipment is installed, there is a problem with:

*water,

• goods,
• packaging,
• additional equipment.

What really weighs in a catering trailer?

Large appliances are the easiest to spot.

Meanwhile, the mass is created by several dozen smaller elements.

Construction

Chassis, frame, walls, roof, floor, windows and doors.

Development

Cabinets, countertops, shelves, stainless steel.

Installations

Cables, switchboard, sockets, pump, heater, pipes, drains, ventilation.

Devices

Grills, fryers, refrigerators, ovens, grills, rotisseries, showcases.

Media and wrestling

Water, bottles, products, drinks.

Operational supplies

Boxes, packaging, cutlery, cups, cleaning products.

Each of these elements may seem small on their own.

The sum of them makes the difference.

How much does water weigh and why is it easy to forget about it?

Water is a very simple example.

One liter of water weighs approximately one kilogram.

If the trailer carries:

• 50 liters of clean water,
• part of the water used,

the mass quickly increases by tens of kilograms.

Added to this is the mass:

• tanks themselves,
• pumps,
• heater,
• wires.

Therefore, tanks have a double impact on the design:

takes up space and adds weight.

In larger trailers, the issue of water can further affect weight distribution.

A large tank should not be placed only where there is "free space".

Catering equipment – the largest share in mass

In many projects, most of the additional weight is created by technological equipment.

Catering equipment is often heavier than its dimensions suggest.

This applies especially to:

• furnaces,
• large grill plates,
• rotisseries,
• cooling tables,
• freezers,
• devices with steel structure.

Therefore, it is worth collecting actual device data before approving the project.

It's not enough:

"two-chamber fryer".

You need a specific model or at least a reliable mass of the planned equipment.

Furniture and stainless steel also matter

A large amount of stainless steel improves the functionality of many stations, but increases weight.

The same applies to:

• thick countertops,
• extensive cabinets,
• shelves,
• supporting structures.

In a small trailer, a difference of several kilograms may not be significant.

With a project close to the GVM limit, every element begins to matter.

This does not mean that you should give up on durable materials.

It means that the structure must be designed consciously.

Products, packaging and portable equipment

Most often, they are omitted in the first mass cost estimate.

Examples:

• drinks,
• meat,
• vegetables,
• cheeses,
• fries,
• sauces,
• packaging,
• cylinders,
• additional devices,
• cleaning products.

If the trailer is stationary and all supplies are nearby, it may be lighter during transport.

If he goes to an event with full supplies, the situation is different.

That's why you need to design a real transport scenario.

How to calculate the approximate weight before production?

It's best to create a simple table.

It is not necessary to know every kilogram with absolute accuracy at the first stage.

The point is to detect a situation in which the project is too heavy for the selected limit from the beginning.

Why is it worth leaving a spare capacity?

Designing "to the limit" is risky.

The trailer almost always changes in the future.

It comes:

*larger stock of products.

• new device,
• additional shelf,
• second refrigeration equipment,
• additional packaging,

If everything is working practically at its limits from day one, any change becomes a problem.

Reasonable stock gives you more flexibility.

However, it is not about giving one magic percentage for all structures.

The reserve should result from actual use.

How does the GVM affect the size of the trailer?

Length and mass are related, but not in a perfectly linear way.

A larger trailer usually means:

*potentially more equipment.

• more structures,
• more material,
• more development,

This adds mass.

Therefore, with large trailers, it is natural to switch to heavier chassis variants.

There is no point in choosing a very large structure and at the same time maintaining a very low GVM limit at all costs if the technology requires heavy equipment.

In the first guide we explain in more detail, how to choose the size of a catering trailer — these two topics should be analyzed together.

One or two axles?

The number of axles should not be an aesthetic decision.

It is influenced by, among others:

• structure size,
• mass,
• chassis parameters,
• method of use.

In smaller structures, one axle may be sufficient.

Biaxial designs are used in larger and heavier designs.

This does not mean, however, that every 5-meter trailer must have two axles or that every 4-meter trailer should have one axle.

The final selection is an element of the structural design.

Do two axles mean more payload?

Not automatically.

This is very important.

Two axles in themselves do not mean that you can carry any larger load.

Still valid:

GVM of a specific trailer.

If the trailer has a certain GVM, the number of axles does not allow it to be exceeded.

However, it may be an element of a construction variant prepared for greater weight.

The distribution of weight is as important as its sum

Assume that the sum of all elements is within the limit.

This does not mean that you can arrange the equipment however you want.

The weight should be distributed according to the design.

If most of the heavy elements are concentrated in one place, this may negatively affect the behavior of the trailer.

The heaviest elements often include:

• bake,
• large grill,
• tanks,
• cooling,
• batteries or other technical components.

Therefore, the manufacturer should know the equipment plan before making the chassis.

Heavy equipment and axle positions

The location of the devices affects the load on the structure.

You can't analyze design based solely on ergonomic layout.

For example, a large stove may fit perfectly into one corner from an operational point of view.

But its mass must also be taken into account structurally.

That's why good design is a compromise between:

• ergonomics,
• installations,
• construction,
• mass.

Water tanks and weight distribution

Tanks are particularly interesting because their mass changes.

An empty tank weighs little compared to a full one.

Therefore, the design must take into account the work and transport scenario.

If a large tank is placed far from the optimal location simply because it fits under a cabinet, it can complicate weight distribution.

This is another argument for designing the water installation together with the entire interior.

Towing car – The trailer's GVM is only half of the puzzle

Even a perfectly designed trailer still needs to be towed.

Therefore, you should check the parameters of the car.

The following are important:

*GVWR,

• permissible trailer parameters,
• set parameters,
• permissions you have.

You shouldn't buy a car just because it has a hitch.

A hitch does not automatically mean that the vehicle can tow any trailer.

Category B driving license and light trailer

In practice, this means that a car weighing up to 3.5 t can be combined with a light trailer, and the GVM of such a combination can reach 4,250 kg. The police also indicate this variant in their information materials.

This is one of the reasons for the popularity of trailers up to 750 kg.

But once again:

easier transportation should not be more important than proper catering design.

Heavier trailer and code 96

Category B also allows you to drive a specific combination with a non-light trailer if the combined GVM requirements are met. If the total GVM of the team exceeds 3.5 t but does not exceed 4,250 kg, the Act provides for the necessity to pass the practical part of the exam and to have the appropriate entry in the driving license - commonly referred to as code 96.

This is important because there is often a belief:

"I have category B, so I can tow anything up to 4,250 kg."

This is too much of a simplification.

It is necessary to distinguish:

• light trailer,
• other than a light trailer,
• total GVM of the set,
• permissions you have.

When does the B+E category appear?

Category B+E expands the possibilities of driving combinations with a heavier trailer. The Act indicates that under B+E the GVW of a towed trailer cannot exceed 3.5 t.

This does not mean, however, that with B+E you can connect any trailer to any car.

We are still limited by the technical parameters of a specific vehicle and trailer.

Therefore, before making a transport decision, you should check the complete data.

Why isn't it enough to just check your driving license?

The driving license answers the question:

is the driver authorized to drive a specific type of combination?

But the second question remains:

can a specific car technically tow a specific trailer?

These are two different issues.

You can have the appropriate driving license category and at the same time have a car whose parameters do not allow you to tow the selected trailer.

Therefore, before purchasing a trailer, it is worth analyzing both elements simultaneously.

GVM and car documents

Before choosing a trailer, check the documents of the towing vehicle.

Don't limit your analysis to engine power.

A high-power car does not automatically have to have parameters that allow it to tow any heavy trailer.

Homologation values and specific vehicle data are important.

If in doubt, it is worth confirming the configuration before purchasing.

Catering trailer 750 kg or heavier?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions.

There is no single answer.

750 kg is worth considering when:

*no need for large supplies or heavy equipment.

• the menu is simple,
• there are few devices,
• mobility is a priority,
• the structure can remain light,

A heavier variant is worth considering when:

*larger stocks are planned.

• the equipment is extensive,
• devices are heavy,
• there are several work zones,
• need for more cooling,
• the water installation is extensive,

The worst solution is to choose 750 kg "because it will be more convenient to transport" and then try to squeeze a full-size kitchen into this limit.

When does 750 kg make sense?

With simple concepts.

For example:

• coffee,
• simple drinks,
• small sale of desserts,
• very limited street food.

Of course, even in such cases, everything depends on the specific devices.

A large professional espresso machine, refrigeration and tanks can also quickly add weight.

Therefore, a "light concept" does not always mean a light trailer.

When is it better to choose a heavier chassis right away?

If it is known from the beginning that the project includes:

*larger stock of products.

• several heavy equipment,
• a large amount of steel,
• extensive cooling,
• large tanks,
• several workstations,

Then trying to get down to 750 kg may lead to too many compromises.

A heavier structure gives you more freedom, but also means different transport requirements.

Therefore, the decision should be conscious.

DMC for burgers, kebab, pizza, ice cream and chicken

There is no universal DMC assigned to a business type.

However, it is possible to point out what most often increases the mass in specific concepts.

Burger trailers

A large grill, several fryers and a cooling table can create a heavy set.

Kebab trailers

Vertical grills and extensive ventilation and cooling increase both the weight and the space needed.

Pizza trailers

A furnace can be one of the heaviest individual appliances.

Ice cream trailers

Refrigeration devices and vending machines dominate.

Rotisserie chicken trailers

Rotisseries, large hoods, cooling and additional devices mean that the mass should be analyzed very early.

The most common mistakes when planning weight

1. 1Select DMC before preparing equipment list First, determine the equipment.
2. 2Counting only large devices Dozens of tiny elements also have mass.
3. 3Not including water Full tanks can mean dozens of kilograms.
4. 4Out of stock Designing at the limit of DMC makes subsequent changes difficult.
5. 5Assuming that two axes solve the problem The GVM of the structure still applies.
6. 6Products not included The trailer does not go to the event completely empty.
7. 7Purchasing equipment after construction It may turn out that the weight of the equipment does not match the project assumptions.
8. 8Checking your driving license without checking your car The vehicle's authorizations and technical capabilities are separate issues.
9. 9Checking your car without checking your driving license The reverse situation is also possible.
10. 10Random placement of heavy equipment It is not only the sum that counts, but also the distribution of weight.

How to prepare data for the manufacturer?

Before the interview, it is worth preparing a simple list.

Menu

What will be sold?

Devices

Preferably specific models.

Lots of devices

From technical data sheets.

Water

How large are the reservoirs planned?

Wrestling

Should the trailer go to the event with full goods?

Number of employees

It affects the size of the structure and equipment.

Car

If it is already selected, provide the brand, model and parameters needed to analyze the set.

The more accurate the data, the easier it is to select a structure without accidental compromises.

Checklist before choosing DMC

• I know the approximate weight of the structure.
• I have a list of the most important devices.
• I know a lot of heavy equipment.
• I included stainless steel construction.
• I included tanks.
• I included water.
• I have included products.
• I included packaging.
• I included additional equipment.
• I left some spare capacity.
• I know the GVM of the planned trailer variant.
• I checked the parameters of the towing car.
• I checked my permissions.
• The location of heavy equipment is known to the manufacturer.
• I know whether the trailer will be transported with supplies or empty.

Key takeaways

DMC is not a technical rubric that can be left at the end of the project.

It should be one of the basic elements of planning a catering trailer.

The most important rules are:

1. 1GVWR includes the entire finished trailer including cargo.
2. 2First prepare a list of devices, then choose a chassis variant.
3. 3Don't forget about water, products and packaging.
4. 4Leave a spare for normal use.
5. 5Two axles do not meet the GVM limit.
6. 6Weight distribution is structurally important.
7. 7The car must be properly matched to the trailer.
8. 8The driver's authorizations must be analyzed for a specific set.
9. 9Do not design a full kitchen for 750 kg just because this variant is more convenient for transport.
10. 10If the technology requires heavy equipment, it is better to take this into account from the beginning.

Frequently asked questions

What does trailer GVM mean?

This is the maximum permissible total weight of the trailer including load.

Does the GVM of 750 kg mean that I can load 750 kg in the trailer?

No. The GVM also includes the weight of the trailer itself. Payload is the difference between the GVM and the curb weight.

What is a light trailer?

In Polish regulations, it is a trailer with a GVM not exceeding 750 kg.

Can a 750 kg catering trailer be fully equipped?

Maybe, but only if the weight of the structure and equipment allows for an adequate reserve. In an extensive catering industry, the 750 kg limit may prove to be very limiting.

Does water in tanks count towards weight?

Yes. During transportation, everything in the trailer affects its actual weight.

Do two axles increase the GVM?

Not automatically. The GVM of a specific construction variant applies.

Is category B enough for a 750 kg trailer?

Category B allows you to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 t GVW with a light trailer up to 750 kg. However, you should always check the parameters of a specific car and set.

Can I tow a trailer heavier than 750 kg in category B?

In certain configurations, yes, but the team's total GVM and scope of permissions are important. For a combination exceeding 3.5 t but not exceeding 4,250 kg, with a trailer other than light, the regulations provide for an additional practical examination and an appropriate entry.

When is B+E needed?

For heavier sets, category B+E may be needed. The final scope depends on the parameters of the car, trailer and the entire set.

Is it enough to check the GVM of the car and trailer?

No. You also need to check other technical parameters of the vehicle and your own qualifications.

Should I know the weight of equipment before ordering a trailer?

Definitely worth it. Especially in the case of ovens, rotisseries, large refrigeration equipment, grills and other heavy elements.

What should I do if I don't have my devices selected yet?

You can prepare a preliminary design based on the expected equipment, but the final design variant should take into account the actual parameters of the most important devices.

Does a larger trailer always mean a higher GVM?

Not always automatically, but larger structures and more equipment tend to increase weight and therefore often require a heavier chassis variant.

Can the trailer's GVM be increased later?

You should not assume that this will be a simple formality. It is worth selecting the construction variant and its parameters correctly at the ordering stage.

You don't know what GVWR will be suitable for your trailer?

Prepare a list of equipment, planned dimensions, amount of water, approximate stock of products and information about the car with which the trailer is to be towed.

On this basis, it is easier to assess whether a lightweight variant of the design makes sense or whether a trailer with a higher GVM will be a better solution.

[Configure trailer] → `/configurator/`

[What size of catering trailer should I choose?] → `/guide/how-to-choose-the-size-of-the-catering-trailer/`

About the author

Janusz Warczak – owner of Firma Mały and a practitioner involved in the design and production of mobile sales points. In his work, he combines knowledge of trailer construction with a practical view of ergonomics, equipment, weight and use of the finished structure.

At Firma Mały, we participate in the implementation of projects for clients from Poland and abroad - from the first arrangements regarding the sales model and equipment, through the selection of dimensions and layout, to the construction of the finished trailer.

The guides focus on decisions that are worth making before production begins, because this is when it is easiest to reduce the risk of costly changes to the finished structure.

[Get to know Mały Company and our experience] → `/o-firmie/`

Sources and substantive basis

Legal information has been verified on the basis of current, official sources regarding vehicle parameters and driving licenses.

Legal sources verified in August 2026. The parameters of a specific set should always be checked for a given car, trailer, method of use and current regulations. The guide does not replace individual technical or legal analysis.

• Road Traffic Law – definitions of light trailer, curb weight, GVM, actual total weight and permissible load.
• Act on vehicle drivers - scope of qualifications of category B, code 96 and category B+E.
• Police – materials on driving with a trailer – practical explanations about vehicle combinations and driver qualifications.