Technical data

The Towing Code
THE 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 of 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 as stated by the
caravan manufacturer, as new with standard
fixtures and fittings.
Note: Because of differences in the weight
of materials supplied for the construction of
caravans, a tolerance of +3% of the weight
has been allowed in the Mass in Running
Order weight.
User Payload:
The maximum allowable weight to be put
into the caravan whilst it is being towed. This
is made up of 3 sections:
Personal effects, optional equipment and
essential habitation equipment.
The user payload is the difference between
the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden
Mass and the Mass in Running Order.
Essential Habitation Equipment:
Those items and fluids required for safe and
proper functioning of the equipment for
habitation as defined by manufacturer of the
caravan.
Personal Effects:
Those items which a user can choose to
carry in a caravan and which are not
included as Essential Habitation Equipment
or Optional equipment.
Optional Equipment
Items made available by the manufacturer
over and above the standard specification of
the caravan.
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden
Mass:
The maximum weight for which the caravan
is designed for normal use when being
towed on a road, laden. This should not be
exceeded. This mass takes into account
specific operating conditions including
factors such as the strength of materials,
loading capacity of tyres etc.
Nose weight:
That part of the static mass of the caravan
supported by the towing device on the rear
of the towing vehicle.
Notes:
(i) When measuring the noseweight it is
important that the caravan is fully
loaded. Do not place extra items
indiscriminately into the caravan after
this adjustment has been made.
(ii) The caravan is intended to be towed
slightly nose heavy. The nose weight
can be adjusted by distribution of the
load within the caravan. The nose
weight should be approximately 7% of
the actual laden weight (but not greater
than the hitch capacity) and at the same
time suit the towing vehicle. See section
on Measurement of Nose Weight.
(iii) It is not recommended that you tow with
just a battery, spare wheel and gas
bottles as this may exceed the the
permitted nose weight. Additional
payload must be placed behind the axle
to compensate for this or consider
repositioning the wheel to a underfloor
carrier.
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