How To Load Your Caravan Safely
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by: Sam Benson
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Word Count: 381
Everything Begins With Weight
When you buy a caravan, it'll come with a MIRO, MTPLM and many other weight statistics. This is because knowing the weight limits of your caravan is critical to safety. The MIRO reflects your van's weight after it is produced at the factory. The MTPLM reflects the most your caravan can weigh. Each van also has a predetermined payload (the maximum aggregate weight of the items you load into your van) and a noseweight limit (the greatest amount of weight you can place on towball of the car). Each of these limits should be carefully considered whenever you're loading your van.
Tips For Loading By Weight
The first rule of thumb is easy to remember. Heavy items should be as close to the floor of the caravan near the axle as possible. Light items should be stored as close to the ceiling as possible. You may be tempted to store heavy things under the bed (if your van has one). That's a mistake. Beds are typically near the back. Excess weight in the back can cause your caravan to be unstable. Next, as you're loading medium-weight items, make sure you're spreading them out evenly across the length of the van. The weight needs to be distributed to provide you with control.
Also, make sure you're not squeezing everything into the van's front locker. It's tempting to do, but that can easily create too much weight in the front and exceed your caravan's noseweight limit. Remember, other items such as a spare tire and leveling blocks are stored in the front locker by default.
Safe Loading To Prevent Accidents
A poorly-loaded caravan can quickly become out of control. Sometimes, too much displaced weight can cause havoc and place excess stress on the towball. Other times, too much weight that has been loaded in the back or near the ceiling can cause your caravan to tip. The weight limits imposed on your van by the manufacturer are there for a reason. Ignoring them may not only lead to an accident but can even invalidate your insurance. Take a few extra minutes to load your caravan properly. It can make the difference between a fantastic holiday or a miserable weekend.
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