The payload of a caravan is crucial for safe and legal use on the road. But what does “caravan payload” actually mean, and how can you ensure your vehicle is loaded safely and within legal limits? In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about payload, tare, and ATM.
What is a Caravan’s Payload?
A caravan’s payload indicates the maximum weight you can legally carry in your vehicle. This includes everything you bring along, such as water in the tanks, gas bottles, batteries, luggage, and equipment. This value is essential for the safety and stability of your vehicle.
Tare, ATM, and GTM – The Basics
There are three key terms you should be familiar with:
- Tare – The empty weight of your caravan. This is the weight of the vehicle as it was delivered from the factory, without any additional accessories or load.
- ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) – The maximum weight the caravan is allowed to carry, including its payload.
- GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) – The weight supported by the caravan’s axles when it’s hitched to a towing vehicle. This is usually lower than the ATM because some of the weight is borne by the towing vehicle.
You can find these values on the caravan’s compliance plate, and they are essential for correct loading.
Why Weighing Your Caravan Matters
We recommend weighing your caravan before first use—whether it’s new or pre-owned. Fill up the water tanks and gas bottles before weighing so you know how much weight you can safely add. Regular weighing helps ensure you don’t exceed the Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) when loading your caravan.
Public weighbridges, often accessible for free, are a good way to check your weight. Alternatively, many specialized service providers offer weighing services and can provide additional insights into weight restrictions.
What to Do if You Need More Payload Capacity
If you find that your caravan is too heavy after loading, it may be possible to increase the ATM or GTM. However, this requires the help of an Approved Vehicle Examiner (AVE). These professionals, often engineers, can advise whether increasing the maximum allowable weight of your caravan is feasible and which modifications are necessary.
Manufacturer Specifications and Additional Accessories
The payload figure set by the manufacturer accounts for the caravan’s base weight without accessories. However, if you add extras like solar panels or an additional battery, the available payload will be reduced by their weight. Every added kilogram must be deducted from your allowable payload.
Tips and Experiences
Some caravan owners report being able to modify their ATM or GTM to increase capacity. However, this isn’t always a cost-effective solution. Sometimes extensive modifications are needed, leading to high costs. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before pursuing this option.
Conclusion
Loading your caravan correctly is crucial for safety and driving comfort. Use the information about Tare, ATM, and GTM to load your caravan optimally. Precise weighing and consulting with an Approved Vehicle Examiner, if necessary, can help you make the most of your vehicle’s weight limit without compromising safety.