Caravan loading boils down to two things:

1. How much extra weight the caravan can carry
2. Where you put that weight

Packing a caravan correctly will help ensure a safe and enjoyable towing experience as part of your caravan holiday.

In this guide we cover how to properly load a caravan safely and easily.

Calculating this weight carrying capacity, or payload, is as simple as subtracting one figure from another.

You simply subtract the Mass in Running Order or MRO (lower figure) from the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass or MTPLM (higher figure).

You can find both figures in the handbook or on the data sticker on the side of your caravan.

The difference between the figures will tell you, in kilos, how much you can pack.

For definitions of what the MRO and MTPLM are, see the glossary.

For example, if the MTPLM (total weight) for a caravan is 1493kg and the MRO is 1339kg, you have 154kg of payload left for everything you want to carry in the caravan.

The caravan’s MRO (unladen) includes 1x gas bottle (approx. 10kg) and the mains hook-up lead (4kg).

In addition, if a ‘wet’ central heating system, such as ALDE, is fitted as part of the standard specification, an additional 10kgs for single axle models and 12kgs for twin axle models is allowed for the fluid within the system.

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

You’ll also need to deduct the weight of your leisure battery or spare gas bottle.

For example, a motor mover could be 30kg, a large roof-mounted solar panel 10kg, a Leisure Battery 25kg, Aquaroll 4.5kg etc.

Now you know how much extra weight the caravan can safely carry.

If it’s your first time learning how to load a caravan or you’re packing something new, it’s worth weighing each box or bag on a set of bathroom scales to ensure you stay within this weight limit.

Example:

MTPLM = 1493kg

MRO = 1339kg

1493kg – 1339kg = Payload of 154kg

In a caravan with a payload limit of 154kg, you might load the items in the table below. In this example, you’ve used 95kg of your 154kg payload and have 59kg left if you want to put more in the caravan.

Packing your caravanning essentials in the correct place makes it more stable, safer and easier to tow.

I load the car’s boot first, with the remainder going into the caravan, but don’t forget the car has a load limit, too. You can find this in the handbook.

• Heavy items (awning, etc.) should be loaded low down and over the axle.
• Medium-weight items (bags, etc.) should also be loaded low down, possibly under the seats, but keep heavier items as close to the axle as possible.
• Light items (clothing, etc.) can be loaded higher up in the roof lockers or wardrobes. Just be aware that the higher the weight, the more it affects the caravan’s centre of gravity.
• Avoid putting too much weight at either end of the caravan, especially if you have a fixed bed towards the rear with oodles of space, as it can act as a pendulum.

Keeping things in position on the floor can seem mission impossible, but items such as cargo bars and nets are great for keeping things where they should be and can be purchased through the PRIMA Leisure website.

With the caravan loaded, we must now check the nose weight. We’ll show you how on the next page.

Jump to:

• Beginners Guide to Caravanning – Homepage
• How to load your caravan
• How to set your caravan’s noseweight
• How to hitch up your caravan
• How to tow and reverse your caravan
• Arriving on site: How to level your caravan
• Arriving on site: Electrical system
• Arriving on site: Gas system
• Arriving on site: Water system
• Arriving on site: How to set up your Alde or Truma heating system
• Arriving on site: Toilet cassette
• Arriving on site: Fridge
• Arriving on site: Hob, oven and grill
• Arriving on site: How to adjust your caravan’s TV aerial
• Arriving on site: How to secure your caravan
• Caravan Weight Plate Upgrade: How to increase your caravan’s payload
• Glossary