Campervan loading may seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process and boils down to two things – how much extra weight it can carry and where you put it.

Calculating this weight carrying capacity, or payload, is as simple as subtracting one figure from another – the Mass in Running Order (MRO) from the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM). Both figures can be found in the handbook or on a data sticker attached to the side of the campervan. The difference between these figures will tell you, in kilos, how much you can pack. This figure is your campervan payload.

For example, if the MRO is 3055kg and the MTPLM is 3500kg, subtracting 3055kg from 3500kg gives the campervan a payload of 445kg.

The campervan’s MRO (or unladen weight) includes the weight of the vehicle’s driver (75kg), a fuel tank that’s 90% full (81 kilograms), 1x gas bottle (14kg), and a leisure battery (25kgs) – if a leisure battery is supplied as standard.

The MRO is calculated with the freshwater tank empty. Travelling with water in this tank isn’t recommended, and your available payload will be reduced accordingly if you choose to do so. One litre of water weighs approximately 1kg.

If you’ve had any equipment fitted to the campervan since it left the factory, such as a bike rack or solar panel, the weight of these items will also need to be deducted from your payload figure.

Finally, as the MRO includes the driver, the passenger’s weight should also be considered when loading your vehicle.

How to load your campervan

Packing your campervan essentials correctly makes the vehicle comfortable to drive and maximises its performance. Make your campervan packing list before you start adding items to ensure that you leave nothing important out and don’t run the risk of running out of space or weight allowance.

• The heaviest items, such as awning, BBQ, or outdoor chairs, should be loaded low down and within the wheelbase if possible. This means that heavy items should be between the front and rear axles.
• Medium-weight items, such as pots, pans, drinks, and tinned food, should be loaded between ankle and waist height, possibly under the seats or within cupboards. Again, this weight should be between the axles.
• Lighter items like clothing can be loaded higher up in the roof lockers or wardrobes. Just be aware that the higher the weight, the more it affects the campervan’s centre of gravity.

The other consideration when packing your campervan is to ensure everything is stowed securely to minimise noise levels while travelling. This will make your journey a pleasant one.

Are there any online resources or tools to help calculate payload more easily?

For all Bailey vehicles you can find the payload of all our vehicles in three places – the manual, on the data sticker on the van, or on the Bailey website.

Once you have your payload then you can start to weigh all the items that you put into  your campervan to ensure the total weight of items you want to take with you.

If you them want to check to make sure that your campervan is not overloaded, you can take it to a weighbridge with all the kit onboard that you intend to take with you on your trip.

How can I best secure items to prevent them from shifting or causing noise while travelling?

When packing campervan essentials, load the heaviest items on the floor between the rear and front wheels. This can be things like heavy bags, tool kits, sports equipment etc. If you want to stop them from moving and shifting you can use a cargo bar or cargo net to secure them in place.

Medium weight items like pots and pans, groceries etc should be stored between ankle and waist height. You could use bedding or pillows to help plug any gaps to stop items from moving around.

Lighter items like clothing can go in the overhead lockers but be aware that the more weight you put up high, the more it can affect the centre of gravity of the campervan, so don’t be tempted to overload in this area.

If all your items are well secured this should minimise noise.

What are the signs that the campervan might be overloaded or improperly loaded?

Overloading or unbalanced campervan loading can affect braking and handling performance as well as having the potential to cause failure of tyres or suspension systems.

The Camping and Caravanning Club have put together an Expert Guide to Motorhome Safety on the Road that you can find here that helps cover a lot of the safety aspects of motorhome and campervan use.

Where can I see the Bailey range of campervans?

Bailey currently has one range of campervans – the Endeavour – and there are two 2 berth and two 4 berth models available.

On our model pages you can view interior 360 tours and see the space and storage that is available for storing and transporting all the items you would like to bring with you.

The Endeavor is built on the Ford Transit platform and all models are under 3500kg MTPLM, and so are driveable on a standard Category B licence. Suitable for all-weather touring, the Endeavour also has a fully equipped cab with air conditioning, cruise control and a 12” touchscreen.

Our Endeavour models have completed real-life tests in the Sahara on our 2,735 mile intercontinental Sahara Challenge, and the -20°C winter conditions of the Dolomites during our Apres Adventure in Italy. You can find out more about these trips in our Bailey Big Adventures section here

Our Endeavour models are on the links below:

Endeavour B62 – 2 berth with a payload of 627kg

Endeavour B63 – 2 berth with a payload of 581kg

Endeavour B64 – 4 berth with a payload of 426kg

Endeavour B65 – 4 berth with a payload of 413kg

Jump to:

• Beginners Guide to Campervanning – Homepage 
• How to use your Ford campervan
• How to load your campervan
• Arriving on site: Campervan Electrics – 230v Hook-Up or Leisure Battery?
• Arriving on site: Campervan gas system
• Arriving on site: Campervan water system
• Arriving on Site: How to use the Truma Combi Diesel heating system
• Arriving on site: Campervan compressor fridge
• Arriving on site: Campervan oven and hob
• Arriving on site: Campervan toilet cassette
• Arriving on site: How to adjust your campervan’s TV aerial
• Arriving on site: Campervan wind out awning
• How to set up the pop up travelling seats in your campervan
• Glossary