RV FEATURE
CARAVAN WEIGHTS AND RATINGS
ALL THOSE NUMBERS ENGRAVED ON YOUR VAN ’ S IDENTIFICATION PLATE … WHAT DO THEY MEAN ?
TARE
Tare is the empty – or unladen – weight of the caravan / trailer . Picture a new caravan rolling out of the factory for the first time , with all items stipulated in the sales contract fitted , but nothing else , and with water tanks and gas cylinders empty .
The weight of the van in that condition is the Tare . Note : the downward weight being supported by the jockey wheel ( or tow vehicle ) when on a horizontal plane is included in the Tare .
Be particularly cautious if buying a second-hand van . There is every chance that previous owners will have added equipment to the van , such as solar panels . Aftermarket items must be considered as payload . Taking the van to a weighbridge or engaging the services of a mobile caravan weighing service are the best ways to independently verify the unladen weight of a secondhand van , and it may be a good idea to do this when purchasing a new van as well .
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