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Information on caravan weights and weight-related specifications (NEXT)

When selecting and configuring your caravan, it is essential to bear in mind that every caravan is designed by the manufacturer for a maximum permissible gross weight only, which must not be exceeded whilst driving. The applicable legal provisions regarding caravan weights, which we have summarised for you below, are set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of 31 March 2021, which applies uniformly across the European Union. Please read the following information carefully before selecting and configuring your caravan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your NEXT dealer.

1. The technically permissible maximum mass

The ‘technically permissible gross weight’ refers to the maximum weight, as specified by the manufacturer, that your caravan may have whilst being towed when fully loaded. Please bear in mind that exceeding the technically permissible gross weight whilst driving can pose a safety risk and is punishable by fines in many European countries. We therefore recommend that you weigh your caravan before every journey and ensure that the technically permissible gross weight is not exceeded. You can find the technically permissible gross weight specified by the manufacturer for each layout in the technical specifications.

2. The mass in running order

The ‘weight in running order’ refers to the weight of the empty caravan as specified by the manufacturer as standard, comprising the following items:

• the caravan’s standard equipment as specified by the manufacturer,
• the mass of the bodywork and the coupling device,
• the fresh water tank filled to 100 per cent capacity (25 l),
• the toilet flush tank, filled to 100 per cent capacity,
• a 100 per cent full steel gas cylinder weighing 12 kg (filled to 5 kg).

The kerb weight is also specified in the technical data for each layout.

Please note, however, that these are calculated values derived from the type-approval procedure, which are subject to legally permissible tolerances of up to ± 5 per cent; these tolerances, in turn, may have a direct impact on the remaining payload and load capacity of the specified caravan (see also section 4).

Example:

The legally permissible range of mass in running order is also specified in the technical data.

As the legally permissible tolerances can affect the remaining payload and the load capacity of the individual caravan, you should take these tolerances into account when configuring your caravan.

Example:

If, for the caravan in the example above, the legally permissible tolerances of +1 per cent apply to the kerb weight, this increases from 808 kg to 816 kg, thereby reducing the caravan’s payload and remaining load capacity by 8 kg.

3. The actual mass of the caravan and standard/optional equipment

The ‘actual mass’ of the caravan comprises the mass in running order and the optional equipment fitted at the factory.

‘Standard equipment’ describes the basic configuration of a vehicle, including all features required by law. This also includes all equipment fitted as standard. Detailed information on the standard equipment for each layout can be found in the configurator.

‘Optional equipment’ comprises all items of equipment that are not part of the standard equipment and are fitted to the caravan ex-works under the manufacturer’s responsibility. However, accessories fitted by you or a dealer after the caravan has been delivered from the factory are not considered optional extras. You can also find details of optional extras available to order ex-works in the configurator.

It is important to note that the installation of optional extras always results in a reduction in the caravan’s payload and load capacity (see also point 4). You can find the maximum weight of optional extras that can be ordered ex-works for each caravan and floor plan in the technical specifications (see also section 5).

4. The (minimum) payload and the load capacity

The ‘payload’ of a caravan is calculated by subtracting the mass in running order and the mass of the optional extras from the technically permissible gross mass. For caravans, the payload generally corresponds to the ‘remaining payload capacity’.

Example:

Please note, however, that the payload – and therefore also the remaining load capacity – may be reduced accordingly due to legally permissible tolerances in the mass in running order of up to +5 per cent (see also point 2).

European legislation stipulates a fixed ‘minimum payload’ for caravans for luggage and other items that are not part of the factory-fitted optional extras. This is to ensure that you can transport your personal luggage, such as clothing, toiletries and kitchenware, food, camping equipment or toys, without exceeding the technically permissible gross vehicle mass when fully laden. 

For caravans, this minimum payload is calculated as follows:

Minimum payload in kg ≥ 10*(n + L) 

n = maximum number of sleeping places and

L = body length of the vehicle in metres.

Example: 

For a caravan with 4 sleeping beds and a body length of 4.60 m, the minimum payload is 86 kg (10*[4+4.60]).

Information on the number of sleeping berths can be found in the technical specifications for each layout.

Please note that the legally prescribed minimum payload must not be undercut when configuring your caravan. If the actual vehicle mass increases as a result of selecting optional extras to such an extent that there is no longer sufficient margin between the actual vehicle mass and the technically permissible gross vehicle mass to accommodate the statutory minimum payload, you must either increase the vehicle’s payload or deselect optional extras in order to continue with the configuration and ordering process.

Ensure that the technically permissible gross vehicle mass is not exceeded, even in theory, by checking with your NEXT dealer if necessary.

5. The maximum mass for optional extras

To ensure that the technically permissible gross vehicle mass of our caravans is not exceeded by the installation of optional extras, taking into account the mass in running order and the statutory minimum payload, we have set a limit on the installation of optional extras at the manufacturer’s end and defined a ‘maximum mass for optional extras’.

This maximum mass for optional extras is calculated by subtracting the mass in running order and the minimum payload from the technically permissible gross mass.

As the mass in running order, being a calculated value, is subject to legally permissible tolerances of up to ± 5 per cent, and the occurrence of these tolerances may result in the actual payload falling below the minimum, we include the legally permissible tolerances in the maximum mass for optional equipment as a precautionary measure. We also take into account specific equipment features of country-specific variants and special models that are not part of the standard equipment.

The maximum mass for optional equipment is specified for each floor plan in the technical data.

Example: