TOWING CODE
14
TOWING CODE
Caravan towing code
This Code of Practice contains
recommendations jointly reviewed and
agreed by the following organisations:
The National Caravan Council
The Caravan Club
The Camping and Caravanning Club
The Caravan Writers Guild
The Department for Transport
Scope of the Code
The Code applies to all trailer caravans of
maximum laden weight not exceeding 3500 kg
(7,700 lbs), overall width not exceeding 2.3m
(7ft 6in approximately) and overall length not
exceeding 7m (23ft approximately), excluding
the drawbar and coupling.
This is legally the maximum size of trailer
that can be towed by a motor vehicle with a
maximum gross weight of less than 3500 kg.
Caravan terms
Mass in Running Order:
The mass of the caravan equipped to the
caravan manufacturer, standard specification.
The MRO includes an allowance for gas, the
electric hook up, cables as well as the fluids
and liquids required for the normal caravan
operation.
Note: The mass of the caravan in running
order contains provision for the masses
of liquids, gas etc. (see Mass in Running
Order in the Technical Handbook). Part
of this provision can also be utilised as
additional payload, if for example, you wish
to travel with water tanks empty or with no
gas cylinders.
Maximum User Payload:
The maximum allowable weight to be put
into the caravan whilst it is being towed. This
is made up of the personal effects and the
optional equipment payloads.
The user payload is the difference between the
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass
and the Mass in Running Order.
The Mass in Running Order + Personal Effects
+ Optional Epuipment = Maximum Technical
Permissible Mass or MRO + PE + OE =
MTPLM
Personal Effects
Those items which a user can choose to carry
in a caravan.
Note: The Personal effects payload includes
an allowance of 20kg for a leisure battery.
Optional Equipment
Items made available by the manufacturer over
and above the standard specification of the
caravan for factory fitted options.
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden
Mass (Lower Limit):
The fully laden mass of the caravan in the
manufacturers standard specification which
is stated in the publications, technical
handbooks, brochures and weight plate and
used for car matching.
Maximum Technically Permissible Mass
(Upper Limit):
The mass takes into account specific
operating conditions including factors such as
the strength of materials, loading capacity of
tyres, etc.
Payload Definition
The method of calculating the Mass in Running
Order (MRO) and user payload figures are in
line with European Vehicle Directives.
Allowances for essential equipment is
now contained within the MRO of the
caravan and include the following:
LPG cylinders @ 90% capacity = 16.5kg*
The MRO is calculated with the fresh water
tank empty.
Water heater filled to 90% = 9kg*
Toilet flush tank with 2 litres of fluid = 2kg*
* Weights are typical figures and are
dependent on specification.
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