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Post Info TOPIC: weight limits
tabby


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weight limits
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Hi we have a 16ft traveller caravan and are a bit confused re the towing weight On  the a frame it shows us that the ATM iS 1670 the GVM is 1590 the TARE MASS1370 and the towball weight 80 We recently got the caravan weighed fully loaded except for water it weighed in at 1645kg we tow it with a Hyundai Terracan with a towing capacaity of 2500kg.  We are totally confused as to if we are over or under the legal limits re the above.

Can anyone out there help us to sort out this confusion.

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jimricho


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Hi tabby and welcome to the forum...

It's a bit of a perennial this one, and yes it can be confusing. (unless you're a physics professor weight and mass can be treated as one and the same thing)

Tare (Tare Mass) is the empty weight of the van

ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) is the maximum permitted "all up" (loaded) weight of the van and includes the weight on the wheels and the towball (or jockey wheel)

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum weight allowed on the wheels. That is it does not include the weight on the towball (or jockey wheel).

Based on your figures you have 25 kg "up your sleeve" (legally) for your water tank.

This is based on the reasonable assumption that you have approx 10% of the total weight on the towball.

(don't worry about the fact that the difference between the ATM and GVM is not 10% as those figures are maximums permitted not actuals)



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Gerty Dancer


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The Tare mass is the UNLOADED weight of the caravan. No gas in bottles, no water in tank, not hitched to car.

The ATM or Aggregate Trailer Mass is the loaded weight of the caravan, including water and gas and all the bits and pieces, not hitched to car.

The GVM or Gross Vehicle Mass is the loaded weight of the caravan when hitched to the car.

The Ball weight should be the difference between The ATM and the GVM

Hope that makes sense?

Your rig sounds ok to me, except get it weighed again with water in the tank, (unless you intend travelling without water) it needs to be less than 1670kgs. This weight is well within the towing limit of your vehicle, so happy travelling!

Oh, and welcome to the forum Tabby!

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Gerty Dancer


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Goodonya Jim, you type faster than me, and explain it better too! smile

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jimricho


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Gerty dancer and I were probably composing our posts at the same time, hence the doubling up of the answer. Between both posts you should get the picture but don't hesitate to ask further questions if you need to.

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jimricho


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We'll have to stop meeting this way! winkwinkbiggrin

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Peter_n_Margaret


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The Tare marked on the compliance plate may be nothing like the actual empty weight, but that doesn't matter.
The other 2 are the important safety and legal ones and if you exceed those, you are at risk legally, safety wise and insurance wise.

EDIT: There will also be a maximum tow rating on the tow bar itself which must not be exceeded either. It may be less than the rating of the vehicle.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 3rd of January 2011 06:57:43 PM

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ozjohn


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Tabby,
The ATM of 1670Kg is the maximum legal loaded wieght of the vawn including water in the tank.
With your load of 1645Kg your just under that weight, but Traveller from memory have a 60 litre water tank which when full will take the loaded weight to 1705Kg (1645 + 60) which is 35Kg over weight. Your not on your own in this situation.
This can be a problem if involved in an accesdent where someone is injured or killed. The authorities weigh the van they will compare the actual weight and add the weight of water in the tanks even if the tank is empty as they consider the tank may have lost the water in the accident. You'll nede to throw something out or ask Traveller to issue you with a new Compliance Plate with an increased  ATM to around 1720Kg.
The Ball Weight shown on the Compliance Plate will be for the unladen van as will any recommended tyre pressures.
The actual van laden ball weight should be around 10% of the loaded weight of the van.
You are well under the limits for the tow vehicle and even if fitted with Hyundai's 'Trek 'N' Tow ' rear suspension I would recommend a quality WDH be used.
Cheers, ozjohn.



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delatite


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Just to add one more consideration. I would check the maximum permissable weight of your tyres. ie 850kg @ 60psi or similar. Remember that the maximum weight they can carry can only be obtained at maximum pressure.

If this weight is exceeded then all the other weights mentioned above are irrelevant.



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Cupie


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Hi    

For those interested in this  subject you may like to look at the site

www.caravan-camping.com.au

and order the free publication

"The National Caravan and recreational vehicle Towing Guide"


It clearly addresses most of these perennial questions.

IMO it should be compulsory reading for all new & old caravanners.




-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 09:41:45 AM

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jimricho


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Cupie wrote:

Hi    

For those interested in this  subject you may like to look at the site

www.caravan-camping.com.au

and order the free publication

"The National Caravan and recreational vehicle Towing Guide"


It clearly addresses most of these perennial questions.

IMO it should be compulsory reading for all new & old caravanners.




-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 09:41:45 AM


To save drilling down through the site, that publication can be ordered from http://www.caravan-camping.com.au/tips-guides-publications/order-guides-consumer

I have a copy but I can't recall how I acquired it, I think it may have been included with an issue of "Caravan and Motorhome"

Another worthwhile publication that I have is that published by Tow-Ed http://www.tow-ed.com.au/ They also do an informative DVD.

Another publication with a wealth of information is "The Grey Nomads Guidebook" written by Cindy and Jeremy Gough, convenor of the Grey Nomads website and moderator of this forum.

(I'm still waiting for that commission cheque Cindy! wink)

 



-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 09:18:02 PM

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