1 A WEIGHTY MATTER

Get these basic concepts down pat for a safer start to your journey.

Tare. The mass of a vehicle without cargo (the weight licence fees are based on).

GVM. The gross vehicle mass is the maximum that a vehicle may weigh – including its load, fuel, passengers and anything else that it transports. You’ll usually find the GVM indicated on a plate on the A-frame of your caravan or trailer.

GCM. The gross combination mass is the sum of the weight of the vehicle and whatever it is towing – that is, the legal combined mass.

Vehicle and caravan weight. Legally, the GVM of your trailer or caravan may not exceed the tare of your towing vehicle. Experts recommend a minimum difference of 20% less.

Axle mass. On the same plate on which you find the towing vehicle’s tare and GVM, you’ll also see “GA front” and “Garear”. This indicates to the gross axle mass of the front and rear axles. Distribute the load in such a way that the axles won’t be overloaded.

As with everything in life, camping requires some admin that you need to get done before starting on your journey. Fortunately, it’s not higher grade stuff – but if you skimp on it, you may run into problems.