Embarking on a caravanning holiday in the UK offers the freedom to explore the countryside and coastlines at your own pace. However, ensuring your caravan is loaded correctly is essential for safe and legal towing. Mismanaging weight can lead to instability, difficult handling, and even legal repercussions. This guide explains caravan weight limits, the crucial 85% rule, and the best practices for loading and distributing weight to help you enjoy a safe and stress-free journey.
What Are Caravan Weight Limits?
Every caravan has specific weight limits set by the manufacturer, and understanding these is vital for safe towing. The Maximum Permissible Trailer Laden Mass (MPTLM) is the maximum allowable weight of the caravan when fully loaded with all belongings, fluids, and occupants. The Mass in Running Order (MIRO) represents the weight of the caravan as supplied by the manufacturer, including essential fluids such as a full LPG gas bottle, water heater, and toilet flush tank, but without additional cargo or passengers.
The difference between the MPTLM and the MIRO determines the payload, which is the weight allowance for all personal belongings, extra fluids, and accessories. Since different manufacturers may include varying items in the MIRO, it’s crucial to check your caravan’s handbook or VIN plate to confirm the actual figures. Many users assume that certain items are included in MIRO when they are not.
Common exclusions include:
Leisure battery
Additional gas bottles beyond the standard one provided
Full fresh water tank (only the water heater and toilet flush tank are typically included)
Awning and any additional outdoor equipment
Motor movers and bike racks
Satellite dishes or solar panels
Any aftermarket additions must also be factored into the payload to avoid exceeding legal weight limits.
The 85% Rule: Ensuring a Safe Caravan Load
A widely recommended guideline for safe towing is the 85% rule. This suggests that the fully loaded weight of your caravan (MPTLM) should not exceed 85% of your tow vehicle’s kerb weight—the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of fuel and standard fluids but without passengers or luggage.
While not a legal requirement, this rule provides a safety margin to improve stability and handling, particularly for new caravanners. Regardless of experience, the MPTLM of the caravan should never exceed 100% of the tow vehicle’s kerb weight, as this can result in dangerous towing conditions, loss of control, and potential legal consequences. Always verify your vehicle’s towing capacity in its manual, as some vehicles may have towing restrictions lower than their kerb weight.
How to Distribute Weight in Your Caravan for Safe Towing
Proper weight distribution within the caravan is just as important as staying within overall weight limits. Poorly distributed weight can cause swaying, reduced control, and excessive strain on the tow vehicle.
Heavier items: Place them over or as near as possible to the axle to maintain balance. Keeping these items low helps maintain a stable centre of gravity, while avoiding placement at the far front or rear prevents destabilisation.
Lighter items: Store these in overhead compartments or at the front and rear of the caravan. Ensure they are securely packed to prevent shifting during transit.
Nose weight: This refers to the downward force on the tow ball and should typically be between 5% and 7% of the caravan’s total weight. Use a nose weight gauge to ensure the correct balance, which prevents excessive strain on the tow hitch and maintains towing stability.
Weighing Your Caravan: Staying Within Legal and Safe Limits
To confirm that your caravan remains within legal and safe weight limits, regular weight checks are essential. Visiting a local weighbridge is the most accurate way to determine the total weight of your caravan when fully loaded. Alternatively, weighing individual items and calculating the total payload can help prevent exceeding limits. Some caravanners also use portable scales to check axle weights and verify overall loads. Keeping track of these figures will help avoid accidental overloading, which can compromise both safety and legality.
For keeping track of individual item weights use our packing/loading tool from the digital tool section.
Matching Your Tow Vehicle to Your Caravan
Choosing the right tow vehicle is a fundamental aspect of safe caravanning. The vehicle’s towing capacity must meet or exceed the caravan’s MPTLM to ensure safe handling and stability. Following the 85% rule provides an extra safety margin, particularly for those less experienced in towing. Verifying these specifications before setting off will help ensure a smoother and safer journey.
Check your outfit compatibility with our Outfit Combination Checking Tool from the digital tool section.
Conclusion: Enjoy Safe Caravanning Adventures
Understanding caravan weight limits and the importance of strategic weight distribution is essential for safe towing. By following the 85% rule, regularly checking your payload, and ensuring your tow vehicle is suitable for your caravan, you can embark on your UK caravanning adventures with confidence. Proper weight management not only prevents damage and legal issues but also ensures that your journey is smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free.
Safe travels and happy caravanning!
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