4.6.4 Caravan load, nose weight and axle load
Tow load The tow load (Fig. 5,1) stipulated in the towing vehicle documents provides infor-
mation as to the maximum weight which the towing vehicle is permitted to tow.
The tow load refers to the actual weight of the caravan and not to the maximum
permissible gross weight of the caravan.
Example The towing vehicle may tow 1200 kg. If the caravan has a maximum permissible
gross weight of 1200 kg and in fact weighs 900 kg, it can be loaded with another
300 kg. If however the caravan has a maximum permissible gross weight of
1400 kg, it may only be loaded to a maximum of 1200 kg.
Nose weight The nose weight (Fig. 5,2) specifies how much weight the caravan drawbar can
apply to the tow coupling of the towing vehicle. Information is to be found in
description of the tow coupling and the vehicle documents. Therefore, a tow cou-
pling with a permissible nose weight of 50 kg may not support a loaded caravan
which has a nose weight of 75 kg. Additionally, for the permissible gross weight the
nose weight must be taken into consideration. If necessary the payload in the
towing vehicle must be reduced by the amount of the nose weight.
The maximum permissible gross weight for the towing vehicle and for the caravan
is not to be exceeded.
Only when the nose weight is adapted optimal to the towing vehicle and caravan
combination, the towing vehicle and caravan achieves its maximum stability and
safety in highway traffic. The optimal nose weight is simultaneously the maximum
possible nose weight.
X If the caravan is licenced for a maximum speed of 100 km/h, always set the
maximum possible nose weight.
Z The maximum nose weight of the caravan amounts to 100 kg.
Z The information on the towing vehicle documents is important for the selection
of the car and caravan.
Z For information about the 100 km rule also refer to Section 5.1.
Fig. 5 Caravan load, nose weight and
axle load
1 Tow load
2 Nose weight
3 Axle load
