Guides and tips
Find out how to calculate the permissible gross weight of your motorhome correctly, avoid overloading with a few clever tips, and minimise legal risks. Our practical advice will help you reduce weight – for greater safety, comfort and road safety on your travels.
Calculate motorhome load now
Overloading is always a tricky issue when travelling in a motorhome, as the payload capacity is relatively low in many models.
Those who don’t want to go without anything on holiday and make full use of the often generous storage space can easily exceed the permissible gross weight.
Police checks show that motorhome owners are frequently on the road with overloaded vehicles. This affects handling and safety.
You should therefore give this issue careful consideration and follow some advice.
In general, you should give careful consideration to the weight of the vehicle when it is ready to travel before setting off. This applies to both your own motorhome and a hired one.
A glance at the vehicle registration document will help:
This lists the unladen weight (under G in the vehicle registration document), which, according to Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012, includes fuel, fresh water, gas and the driver’s weight (75 kilograms).
Now the kerb weight must be subtracted from the maximum permissible weight (listed under F.2 in the vehicle registration document) of the motorhome to obtain the payload.
The kerb weight plus the payload must not exceed the gross vehicle weight.
Formula for calculating a motorhome’s load:
Permissible gross weight (found under F.2 in the vehicle registration document) – unladen weight (listed under G in the vehicle registration document) = maximum payload
Due to additional equipment, the actual unladen weight may be considerably higher than the weight stated in field G. It is best to determine the unladen weight on a vehicle weighbridge.
You should always avoid overloading your motorhome. Not only because you’ll face fines and, in some cases, penalty points in Germany and abroad, but also because, in the event of an accident where the permissible gross weight is significantly exceeded, the insurance company may refuse to pay out.
Overloading the motorhome can have negative effects on the following areas:
Many motorhomes with a maximum gross weight of 3.5 tonnes are around 7 metres long and have a large overhang between the rear axle and the rear bumper.
These motorhomes not only have a significant swing radius, but also face major problems when overloaded. At the rear, there is a large rear garage, which is often packed to the brim. In addition, a bike rack is frequently fitted to the rear. This can carry up to four bicycles. Some motorhomes also have racks for mopeds, which have a high kerb weight and are sometimes used to carry heavy scooters, amongst other things.
In this case, not only is the rear axle subjected to above-average loads and the axle load may be exceeded, but lever forces also act to relieve the front axle. If the motorhome has front-wheel drive, as most do, the ‘lifting’ of the front wheels leads to traction problems and a change in steering response. When setting off on a hill or on slippery surfaces, the effects are immediately noticeable. Assistance systems such as ASR or Traction Plus are designed to help minimise these problems.
Once you’ve got the weight under control, the next step is to stow your travel essentials properly. To reduce the motorhome’s tendency to roll, heavy items should always be stowed at the bottom. If the motorhome has a double floor, these heavy items should be stored in the double floor between the axles.
Only relatively light items should be placed in the wall cupboards. As a general rule, no items should be left lying around loose and unsecured. In the event of an emergency brake or a rear-end collision, unsecured items would be catapulted forwards and could cause further damage. The same applies to dogs, which should ideally be transported in a permanently fitted dog crate whilst travelling.
When buying or hiring a motorhome, it’s not just features such as bed size, bathroom facilities or design that matter; the total weight is also important. Accessories such as awnings, air conditioning or bike racks can quickly increase the weight and reduce the payload.
Generally speaking, mini-campers, campervans and compact panel vans are less likely to have a problem with payload, as they don’t offer much space for stowing things anyway.
Those who save weight whilst camping – for example, by using lightweight equipment, carrying smaller supplies or only filling the water tank once at the holiday destination – have more leeway. Compact models usually offer a higher payload than large motorhomes.
Purchasing decision: payload
When buying or renting a motorhome, many features play a decisive role for buyers or renters:
A few days before setting off, you should drive your packed motorhome onto a weighbridge. With prior arrangement, you can usually use the weighbridge at a building supplies or agricultural supply store without any problems. The small fee is well worth it.
If you exceed the maximum permissible weight, you’ll need to make a list of items to leave behind. You’ll need to decide together what really needs to be taken and how you can save weight!
With a lower weight, you’ll drive more nimbly along the breathtaking panoramic roads in the Alps or the narrow coastal roads, more relaxed on the motorways, and have the traction you need on the damp grass of a campsite.
Don’t take any risks when it comes to safety or your holiday budget. Our online calculator works out your vehicle’s exact load capacity in just a few seconds – including all extras and passengers. This way, you can avoid fines and drive safely.
