One of the most discussed aspects of caravanning is weight. Yet it's also the most misunderstood because of the numerous definitions and the innumerable combination of vans and tow vehicles. The number of overweight vehicles on the road is a worry, and the evidence is all around us. Authorities run regular vehicle checks and the number of non-compliant vans over the scales total around 70 per cent.
Two things are at play. Either caravanners don't understand the regulations, or they know the law yet choose to avoid the issue in the hope they aren't caught or, more naively, don't have an accident. We talk about caravan weight a lot here at Caravan World because it's essential. Lives are potentially at risk.
So, when considering a van, weight should be a top priority. And in the caravanning equation, there are three parts – the tow vehicle, the van and the combination of the two. You must be across all three to be safe and legal once you hit a public road. Getting a good grasp on weight can be overwhelming, and there are many acronyms to confuse us. Let's break it down.
“While most of these definitions will be self-explanatory, the issue of ATM seems the least understood”
Tare (van): The unladen weight of the van with all permanently fitted accessories.
Tare (vehicle): The unladen weight of the tow vehicle with 10L of fuel.
Generally the unladen weight of the car with full fuel tanks.
