Caravan weights

So you’ve chosen your destination, made all the bookings, checked your caravan Insurance cover and are ready to pack up and hit the road but… have you considered where you are going to put everything? 

As the most experienced caravan insurance customers will know, there is a fine art to loading a caravan. If it is not done correctly with just the right weight distribution it can cause an accident; too much displaced weight places excess stress on the tow ball and too much weight in the back or near the ceiling can cause the caravan to topple over.

  • What does MIRO and MTPLM mean?

    When you buy a caravan it will come with a "Mass in Running Order" (MIRO), "Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass" (MTPLM) and many other weight statistics.  This is because knowing the correct weight limits of your caravan is critical to the safety of you, your family, and other road users.

    The MIRO reflects your caravan’s weight after it is produced at the factory. The MTPLM reflects the most your caravan can weigh.  Each caravan also has a predetermined payload (the maximum combined weight of the items you load into your van) and a nose weight limit (the greatest amount of weight you can place on the tow ball of the car). 

    The weight limits imposed on your caravan by the manufacturer are there for a reason and should be carefully considered whenever you are loading your caravan.  Ignoring them may not only lead to an accident but can even invalidate your caravan insurance.

  • Loading your caravan ? Here's 'seven steps to success'

    1. Keep the caravan load weight low and over, or in front of, the axle.  Loading heavy items at the back of the caravan, such as on or under a fixed bed, could cause it to start snaking - where the caravan starts to swing from side to side. Once snaking starts its very difficult to control and any heavy weight at the extreme rear of the caravan will multiply this ‘pendulum’ effect.

    2. For the same reason, the lower down the weight of stowed items then the lower the centre of gravity and the least likelihood of any weight-inflicted upset.  Heavy items should be loaded directly on the floor, not high up in the caravan cupboards. Only light items should be placed in the caravan top cupboards and lockers.

    3. Medium weight items should be placed on the floor, equally distributed between the back and the front.  Try not to place all your clothes together in the wardrobe but spread them out around the caravan and then put them in to the wardrobe when you arrive.

    4. Don't leave water in any of the tanks and make sure your toilet flush tank is empty. Leaving water in any of these tanks could also cause the caravan to become less stable, as it sloshes around during travel.

    5. Make sure items are wedged in your caravan so while you are travelling they cannot move around and cause damage. If they do move they could also make your caravan unstable and become dangerous.  Whenever carried, gas cylinders must travel upright for safety and be securely held so that they cannot break loose. An upset chemical toilet, or even a water container with its cap washer missing or worn, can cause considerable damage.  Swerving on the road, as when negotiating a roundabout, and also vertical bouncing on bad roads, will test the door and drawer catches or restraints.  Make sure that any breakables are stored where they cannot come loose.

    6. Load heavy items where possible in the car rather than in your caravan, particularly if you have only one or two people in the car, as this will balance the weight distribution and help to stabilise the whole towing outfit.

    7. And finally, unless you really, really, really need it…leave it at home! The less you take with you, the lighter the load meaning minimum time wasted packing and unpacking and more time enjoying your holiday!