SAFETY MATTERS WITH JAMES FIELD
WHAT’S THAT
PLATE, MATE?
A CARAVAN’S VEHICLE
PLATE IS FULL OF NUMBERS
AND RATINGS. WHAT DO
THEY ALL MEAN?
When it comes to towing, one of the
most important aspects is to consider the
ratings and masses of your towing setup.
You will find this critical information on
your caravan’s vehicle or trailer plate,
which is (generally) located on the
drawbar or in the front or tunnel boot.
AGGREGATE TRAILER
MASS RATING
The ATM rating is the total permissible mass
of the caravan. This includes the coupling
mass and whatever you add as payload up to
the specified rating. The ATM rating must not
be exceeded.
GTM RATING
The GTM rating is the total permissible mass
that can be supported by the wheels/tyres of
the caravan. This includes whatever you add
as payload but does not include the mass
supported by the tow vehicle. The GTM rating
also must not be exceeded.
TARE MASS
Tare mass is the total weight of the caravan
(load on tyres plus coupling load) with all
options and fittings as supplied by the
manufacturer, with empty water tanks and
gas cylinders, excluding fluids not essential
for operation on public roads, and without
luggage or personal effects.
CALCULATING PAYLOAD
By understanding these ratings and masses,
you are able to calculate the available load-
carrying capacity of your caravan. This can be
calculated by subtracting the Tare mass from
the ATM rating.
Knowing your load-carrying capacity will help
ensure you do not overload your caravan.
It is your responsibility to ensure your towing
setup is loaded safely and legally. What and
how much you pack may vary depending on
the journey. Physically weighing your entire
rig regularly and comparing these weights to
the appropriate ratings on the vehicle plate is
a great way to confirm your rig remains safe
and compliant.
Regular tyre pressure maintenance is also
important. Correctly inflated tyres will
give you the best economy, safety and
performance from your tow vehicle and van.
MORE INFO
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