How to Keep Your Caravan Load Safe

When it comes to loading your caravan or camper trailer, it’s not as simple as chucking your gear in anywhere. To ensure a safe and efficient loading, here are some steps to put you on your way to a safer road journey.

1. Know Your ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass)

First off, you’ve got to keep an eye on your ATM, which stands for Aggregate Trailer Mass. This is the maximum weight your towing car can legally handle. You can find the ATM on a little placard on the trailer, usually.

Now, a word of warning, the tare weight provided by the trailer manufacturer can sometimes be a tad lean. To get the real tare weight, you might need to visit a weighbridge, which is what any inspection would be doing, too.

2. Calculate Your Payload

Next up, you’ve got to calculate your payload. That’s the weight you can safely carry without going over imit. To figure it out, subtract the tare weight from the ATM. Just remember, as you load up with sundry items, including a BBQ and some water, that payload starts to shrink.

3. Check Towball Mass

Now, don’t forget to check your towball mass. Pop the jockey wheel on the weighbridge, and that’ll give you a decent idea of the towball mass. Make sure it’s within the acceptable limits. There are also towball scales that can be used anywhere (like this or other ones)

4. Distribute Weight Properly

Heavy stuff needs to be close to your trailer’s axles and down low for good stability. But sometimes it’s not that simple due to the design of the caravan or pragmatic reasons. For a start, the spare wheel is often at the back, and gas bottles are often at the opposite end on the drawbar. However, when it comes to your own gear and even some of the setup, you’ll have finer control over where it sits.

5. Maximize Storage Space

Fill your storage spaces, and the tighter the better as it wi reduce movement and potential for damage.

6. Keeping the Load Safe While Driving

You’ve got to make sure your load is tied down properly and isn’t going to move about when you get going. We don’t want anything shifting during your trip or, heaven forbid, in an accident.

There are some strong forces at play with acceleration and braking, so you will need something stronger than basic straps and bungee cords which will likely have too much give in them.

7. Check Load Restraints

Give your load restraints a once-over every so often, and if you are on a rough road or even off-roading, check them regularly in case something becomes askew.

Properly loading your caravan or camper trailer isn’t just about safety; it’s about enjoying your journey to the max. Follow these tips, and you’ll be off to a fantastic start for a smooth and secure adventure. If you are looking for a caravan for that adventure, we can help with our fast and easy caravan loans, just ask our team to help!