4.6 Payload
Load the caravan so that the drawbar coupling head is not pushed downwards due
to the permissible nose weight. Heavy objects should be close to the axles and a
weight centre should be in the centre of the vehicle.
When loading the caravan observe:
z The permissible maximum caravan load
z The maximum permissible nose weight (e.g. 50 kg)
z The minimum nose weight of 25 kg to German Traffic Licencing Regulations
("Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung" (StVZO))
This information is in the towing vehicle instruction manual.
4.6.1 Terms
Maximum permissible
gross weight in a laden
condition
The maximum permissible gross weight in a laden condition is the weight that a
vehicle may never exceed.
The maximum permissible overall weight in laden condition consists of the mass
in ready-to-drive condition and of the payload.
The manufacturer has specified the maximum permissible gross weight in a laden
condition in Field F.1 of the vehicle documents.
Mass in ready-to-drive
condition
The mass in ready-to-drive condition is the weight of the ready-to-drive standard
vehicle.
The mass in ready-to-drive condition is made up as follows:
z Unladen weight (mass of the empty vehicle) with factory-installed standard
equipment
z Basic equipment weight
X Excessive payload and the wrong tyre pressure can cause the tyre to burst.
You can lose control of the vehicle.
X Only the maximum permissible gross weight and the mass in a ready-to-
drive condition, not the actual weight of the vehicle, is stated in the vehicle
documents. For your own safety, we recommend that you have your loaded
vehicle weighed on a public weighbridge before you set out on your journey.
Z The maximum permissible gross weight stated in the vehicle documents is not
to be exceeded by the payload.
Z Built-in accessories and special equipment reduce the payload.
Z Adhere to the axle load stated in the vehicle documents.
Description Load (kg)
Maximum permitted
payloads
Roof racks 100
Bunk beds 100
Vertically adjustable bed (Vari) 150
Folding beds 50
Z In technical and scientific texts the term "mass" has replaced the term "weight".
However the term "weight" is still the more common term in general usage. To
contribute toward understanding the term "mass" is therefore only used in
established phrases in the following passages.
Z All specifications according to EU norm DIN EN 1645-2.
