Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct

by | Jul 1, 2020 | Articles, CBRV, CMB, Legal & Compliance, Travel

by Collyn Rivers

Travel Trailer Tare Weight

Travel trailer tare weight issues mainly arise about what’s included and what’s not. Water is not, nor may be optional extras. This article reveals all.

Legally, travel trailer tare weight is called Tare Mass. For the purposes of this article you can regard ‘Mass’ as the same as weight. It refers to it accordingly.

Travel Trailer Tare Weight. Compliance plate.

A typical Compliance Plate. Tare Mass here is 2280 kg. The ATM (see below) is 2680 kg.

Tare Weight issues arise

A travel trailer‘s Tare Weight is what it weighs when it leaves the factory. It should include everything specified at the time of ordering. This weight must show on a Compliance Plate attached to the travel trailer chassis. The travel trailer‘s weight ex-dealer, is often higher.

Most travel trailer makers produce standard products. It is dealers who may provide and install all optional extras, even if order specified. Such options include air conditioning, solar, batteries, etc.

Personal allowance

A travel trailer maker typically allows 250 kg (550 lb) for single axle travel trailers under 1500 kg, and about 300 kg for larger/heavier single axle travel trailers. Travel trailers with two axles typically have 400 kg.

Few buyers know that Tare Weight excludes the (1 kg/litre) of water. There may be several tanks, totally 80 to 350 or more litres. It includes the weight of one 9 litre gas cylinder – but not its (approx 9 kg [20 lb]) of gas. While less common now, Tare Weight may even exclude drawers and mattresses.

The Travel Trailer Industry Association of Australia, warns: ‘items fitted to the travel trailer after it leaves the manufacturer’s factory are not considered to be part of the Tare Mass.’  The industry does not keep this secret, but vendors will rarely tell you this when you order.

Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM)

The ATM is the travel trailer maker’s specified maximum weight (uncoupled), with full allowed load. It is a rating assessed by the travel trailer maker. The ATM is based on chassis strength, tyre and axle loadings etc. You must not exceed this weight. The difference between Tare Weight and ATM is the Personal Allowance. It is all that can be added.

The personal allowance is an industry recommendation. For single axle travel trailers under 1500 kg, it is 250 kg. For dual axle travel trailers it is 350 to 450 kg. It applies also to fifth wheel travel trailers. There is no legal requirement except ‘fitness for purpose’.

Travel Trailer Buyers Guide informs ‘that may well include ‘gas, water, food, drink, personal items, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, clothing and any accessories added by the owner of the travel trailer after purchase.’

towing too much weight will damage your truck

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)

This is the loaded travel trailer weight when coupled to the tow vehicle. It excludes the weight on tow vehicle. The GVM is legally a maximum rating set by the travel trailer maker.

How to avoid travel trailer tare weight issues

To avoid travel trailer weight issues, insist a legal contract includes options within Tare Mass. Unless you do, extras are legally within the ‘personal allowance’. Ensure the contract specifies every optional extra. Require all to be included in the Tare Mass. Ensure the contract requires the travel trailer be weighed in your presence. Do this on a Certified public weighbridge. Furthermore, compare that weight against claimed Tare Mass. There will be minor discrepancies – but within 1% or so. Resolve any discrepancy before you finalise paying. 

Resolving travel trailer tare weight issues

When you buy through a dealer, that dealer must legally resolve issues. The dealer may attempt to pass this off to the maker. It is your choice to agree or not. Take attempts to deny responsibility to the Dept of Consumer Affairs in your state.

If the tow vehicle can cope with adding weight, consider increasing ATM. This may need strengthening suspension, increasing tyre and brake size etc. Moreover, increasing ATM over 2000 kg (4400 lb) requires you to fit power brakes. To do this you need a Certified Engineer’s approval.

The above applies to all trailers below 4500 kg (9920 lb) – including fifth-wheel travel trailers.

If you find this article interesting, you will find my books even more so. These include the Caravan & Motorhome Book, the Camper Trailer Book, and Caravan & Motorhome Electrics. For solar see my Solar That Really Works! for RVs. See Solar Success for homes and property systems.

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For information about me – please Click on Bio.

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Collyn Rivers is a semi-retired automobile research engineer.  He is the author of seven books, five of which are about making RVs and solar work optimally.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

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eBook versions

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The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

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ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

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Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and travel trailer stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1