IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CAN I TOW A CARAVAN ?

We require all drivers wanting to tow our caravans to hold a full UK drivers licence, be 25 years of age or over and have towing (BE) on their licence.


The towing vehicle must also be suitable to tow the caravan.

Following industry guidelines the maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the kerb weight of the vehicle unless the driver is experienced in towing.

Referring to the inside left page of the V5 registration document for the vehicle, the MTPLM of the caravan should be no more than 85% of the figure stated at 'G' or the figure stated at O.1, whichever is the least.

The MTPLM of each of our caravans is given on the caravan specific page.

Contact us for clarification if you are unsure as to whether you or your vehicle can tow one of our caravans.

  LOADING THE CARAVAN

 Whilst the caravan has a large amount of storage space it does not mean that you can take away with you everything except the kitchen sink.

There are strict limits on the weight that can be carried in the caravan, known as the USER PAYLOAD.

The caravan has 2 weights given. The MIRO (mass in running order) and the MTPLM (maximum technically permissible laden mass).

The weight of the caravan in transit MUST NOT exceed the MTPLM of the caravan so by taking the MIRO from the MTPLM we get the user payload in kg.

As the MIRO does not include most of the added caravan equipment (battery, spare wheel, solar panel, water carriers, fluids, security devices etc.) the weight of these needs to be taken from the total user payload, leaving the remainder for personal items.

The table below shows the total maximum weight of the items which can be added by the hirer once the caravan equipment supplied with the caravan has been taken into account.

Caravan Hirer Maximum Load Limit kg
Freestyle 540 118
Charisma 570 118
Provence 102
Vitesse 104
Charisma 550 99
Sancerre 107
Opal 98
Burgundy 107
Charisma 555 115
Champagne 90
Vogue 112
Charisma 560 100


If a domestic kit and/or an awning has been supplied with the caravan, the weight of these must be included in the hirer maximum load limit above.

It is recommended that all items are weighed as they are added to the caravan to ensure the MTPLM is not exceeded.


Supplied Item Weight kg
Domestic Kit 10
Full Awning, Groundsheet, pegs etc. 50
Porch Awning, Groundsheet, Pegs etc 20


Careful consideration must be given to the placement of items in the caravan as they can affect the stability of the outfit. Heavy items such as the awning or boxes of food/drink etc. must be placed on the floor over the axle.

Medium items should be placed evenly around the caravan, preferably also on the floor. With the fixed bed caravans, avoid the temptation to use the area under the bed to store heavy items as this can adversely affect the stability of the outfit creating a pendulum effect.

Only very light items such as underwear should be placed in the top lockers if necessary for travel.

Further information can be found in the NCC Towing Guide which can be accessed using the link below.

USEFUL LINKS