How to Check Your Caravan’s Weight Properly
One of the most common assumptions in caravanning is this:
“I know my caravan’s weight — it’s on the sticker.”
In reality, that sticker only tells part of the story.
If you want real confidence when towing, you need to know what your caravan actually weighs, not what it weighed when it left the factory.
This page explains how to check your caravan’s weight properly, what to measure, what to ignore, and why guessing often leads to false reassurance.
No drama. Just clarity.
Why Checking Weight Matters
Caravan weight affects:
Stability
Braking
Tyre load
Suspension
Stress levels
Being overweight rarely feels dramatic — until conditions change.
Checking your caravan’s real weight gives you:
Confidence, not assumptions
Facts instead of forum opinions
A clear loading baseline you can trust
The Sticker vs Reality
Your caravan’s plate shows:
MTPLM – the absolute maximum
MIRO – the factory starting point
What it doesn’t show is:
How much your accessories add
What you’ve packed
Where that weight sits
Two caravans with the same plate can weigh very differently in real use.
The Only Reliable Way to Check Weight
There’s really only one accurate method:
Weigh it.
Not estimate.
Not calculate.
Not assume.
Use a Public Weighbridge
A certified weighbridge gives you:
Accurate readings
Confidence in the numbers
Peace of mind if ever questioned
They’re commonly found at:
Council depots
Recycling centres
Quarries
Agricultural suppliers
Step-by-Step: Weighing Your Caravan
Step 1: Load It as You Actually Travel
Pack the caravan exactly as you would for a trip:
Clothes
Food
Gas
Battery
Awning
Chairs
Anything that normally lives onboard
Weighing an empty caravan tells you very little.
Step 2: Weigh the Caravan Alone
If possible:
Unhitch the caravan
Place it fully on the weighbridge
Keep jockey wheel and wheels on the platform
This gives you the actual caravan weight.
Step 3: Compare Against MTPLM
Check:
Are you under the MTPLM?
How much margin remains?
How close are you to the limit?
This is where assumptions often unravel.
Step 4: Check Noseweight Separately
Caravan weight and noseweight are related — but not the same.
Use:
A proper noseweight gauge
The car’s and caravan’s stated limits
Balance matters as much as total mass.
What About Weighing the Whole Outfit?
If the weighbridge allows it, weighing:
Car alone
Caravan alone
Car and caravan together
can give a fuller picture — but it isn’t essential for most people.
Knowing the caravan’s true weight is the biggest confidence win.
Common Mistakes (Very Common)
“I’ll just weigh it empty”
That only confirms MIRO — which you already have.
“I don’t carry much”
Most people carry more than they think.
“It’s probably fine”
Probably is not a measurement.
How Often Should You Check?
You don’t need to do this every trip.
It’s worth checking:
When the caravan is new to you
After fitting accessories
If your setup changes
If you’re unsure
Once you’ve weighed it properly, you’ll usually be surprised how consistent it stays.
The Confidence Payoff
Knowing your real weight:
Removes guesswork
Makes loading decisions easier
Reduces anxiety
Makes discussions with dealers and insurers clearer
It replaces “I think” with “I know”.
Where to Go Next
To round this out, these pages fit together:
Together, they form a complete, calm reference.
Final Thought
You don’t need to obsess over weight.
You just need one accurate measurement, taken properly.
After that, everything becomes calmer.
