Caravan Towing Code; Caravan Terms - Swift Tourer Owner's Handbook Manual

T O WI NG CO DE

CARAVAN TOWING CODE

This Code of Practice contains
recommendations jointly reviewed and
agreed by the following organisations:
The National Caravan Council
The Caravan Club
The Camping and Caravanning Club
The Caravan Writers Guild
The Department for Transport
Scope of the Code
The Code applies to all trailer caravans of
maximum laden weight not exceeding 3500 kg
(7,700 lbs), overall width not exceeding 2.3m
(7ft 6in approximately) and overall length not
exceeding 7m (23ft approximately), excluding
the drawbar and coupling.
This is legally the maximum size of trailer
that can be towed by a motor vehicle with a
maximum gross weight of less than 3500 kg.

CARAVAN TERMS

Mass in Running Order:
The mass of the caravan equipped to the
caravan manufacturer, standard specification.
The MRO includes an allowance for gas, the
electric hook up, cables as well as the fluids
and liquids required for the normal caravan
operation.
The mass of the caravan in running order
contains provision for the masses of liquids,
gas etc. (see Mass in Running Order in
User Handbook). Part of this provision can
also be utilised as additional payload, if for
example, you wish to travel with water tanks
empty or with no gas cylinders.
Maximum User Payload:
The maximum allowable weight to be put
into the caravan whilst it is being towed. This
is made up of the personal effects and the
optional equipment payloads.
The user payload is the difference between the
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass
and the Mass in Running Order.
The Mass in Running Order + Personal Effects
+ Optional Epuipment = Maximum Technical
Permissible Mass or MRO + PE + OE =
MTPLM
14
Personal Effects
Those items which a user can choose to carry
in a caravan.
Note: an allowance has been provided for
in the Personal effects for a leisure battery
weighing 20kg
Optional Equipment
Items made available by the manufacturer over
and above the standard specification of the
caravan for factory fitted options.
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden
Mass (Lower Limit):
The fully laden mass of the caravan in the
manufacturers standard specification which
is stated in the publications, handbooks,
brochures and weight plate and used for car
matching.
Maximum Technically Permissible Mass
(Upper Limit):
The mass takes into account specific
operating conditions including factors such as
the strength of materials, loading capacity of
tyres, etc.
Payload Definition
From the 2011 season the method of
calculating the Mass in Running Order (MRO)
and user payload figures has changed in
order to bring it in line with European Vehicle
Directives.
Allowances for essential equipment is
now contained within the MRO of the
caravan and include the following:
LPG cylinders @ 90% capacity = 16.5kg*
Fresh water tank @ 90% capacity = 27kg*
(where fitted)
Water heater filled to 90% = 9kg*
Toilet flush tank with 2 litres of fluid = 2kg*
* Weights are typical figures and are
dependent on specification.
The leisure battery is considered to be
included in the personal effects and an
allowance of 20kg has been made for this.