Seasoned traveller Lisa Jansen examines the frequently used terminology of the towing world, helping ensure a clear understanding of some of the basics of around successfully towing a caravan
Exploring New Zealand by caravan offers a wonderful freedom of exploration. Not only is your accommodation hooked up behind you, but there’s also the added advantage of being able to park your caravan and set off for fresh adventures in your tow vehicle without needing to pack up everything for a short journey.
However, towing a caravan comes with its own set of responsibilities and challenges. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned caravan traveller, it pays to refresh yourself occasionally around ensuring you’re armed with the correct information and preparation for hassle-free towing.
This guide, created with the support of towing expert Angus Hamilton from Tiny Towing Solutions, covers commonly used jargon when referring to the various elements of towing.
Terminology
If you’re looking at caravan descriptions, you will quickly notice some jargon. Understanding the terminology is the first step towards safe and legal towing. Let’s take a look at the main ones.
Unladen Weight/Mass in Running Order (MIRO)
The weight of the caravan without any contents. This is how much the caravan weighs when it leaves the factory before you add any extras (solar panels, bike racks, satellite dish, etc.) or contents, such as clothes, food, and bedding.
Maximum Laden Weight (MLW)/Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)/Gross Laden Weight (GLW) Maximum Technical Permissible Mass (MTPLM)
All these terms refer to the maximum a caravan can legally weigh while being towed, including all contents and add-ons.
Payload
This is the difference between the unladen and laden weight of a caravan. It’s how much you can load into your caravan while towing.
Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM)
The actual total weight of the caravan, including its load. In other words, the weight of your caravan, including all the contents you carry in it.
Gross Combined Mass (GCM)/Gross Combined Weight (GCW)
The maximum combined weight of the tow vehicle and the caravan, including all load and people. It’s important to note that with a Class 1 driver’s licence, your total GCM cannot be more than 6000kg.
Noseweight/Tow Ball Mass (TBM)
The downward force exerted on the tow ball by the caravan. Your tow ball must be able to carry the TBM of your caravan to be safe and legal.
Vehicle towing capacity
The maximum tow weight the manufacturer has set for the vehicle. The laden weight of your caravan cannot exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Weight. Weight. Weight.
If ‘Location. Location. Location’ is the slogan of traditional real estate, ‘Weight. Weight. Weight’ is the equivalent for homes on wheels, especially those that need to be towed.
Weight plays a pivotal role in towing safety. Overloaded caravans can compromise stability, braking efficiency, and overall control of the tow vehicle. In addition, exceeding weight limits can result in hefty fines. As such, caravan owners need to pay attention to several critical, weight-related factors.
The car–trailer combination
As a first step, ensure that your caravan’s Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) – its actual weight when fully loaded – does not exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity. However, there’s more to it. Some cars might technically have a high enough towing capacity, but they lack the weight, torque, or features to tow your caravan not just safely but also comfortably. Therefore, those who plan to tow heavy caravans, in particular, should do additional research when choosing a tow vehicle, instead of just looking at the manufacturer’s tow capacity.
Maximum Laden Weight
Ensure you know the Maximum Laden Weight for your caravan and how much payload you can add. Many caravan owners are surprised at how quickly things like clothing and food add up to significant weight. Also remember that add-ons, such as solar panels and bike racks usually aren’t included in the manufacturer’s listed unladen weight, so if you have added those items, it will come out of your payload.
If you’re not sure how much your fully loaded caravan weighs, stop at a weighing station before embarking on a big trip.
Weight Distribution
It’s not just about how much a caravan weighs. It’s also about where the weight is located. Proper weight distribution within the caravan is essential for maintaining stability. When loading your caravan, ensure that heavy items are evenly distributed and secured to prevent swaying or pitching during transit.
Make sure you have a clear understanding of all of the above and never hesitate to seek expert advice to ensure that your tow vehicle matches the demands of your caravan, and you’re equipped with plenty of pulling (and braking) power.
