Caravans, campers, trailers: information on trailer loads!

Reading time 5 Min.

Anyone who drives a caravan, camper or trailer has the term towable definitely heard it before. The following explains what the trailer load is, where the permissible trailer load can be found for each vehicle and what can be found about the maximum towing capacity should know. The trailer load refers to the mass carried by a motor vehicle, i.e. a car or a truck may be pulled over the trailer coupling. So the maximum towing weight allowed is that Maximum in weightthat a vehicle is allowed to pull behind it. Often the trailer load is also colloquial Tensile load mentioned.

The maximum trailer load should not be confused with the permissible one Total weight. This describes the total mass of the vehicle and trailer or caravan. As previously mentioned, the towable load describes the maximum load that without the weight of the vehicle may be pulled on the trailer coupling.

The following example provides clarity:

It is assumed that the car has a gross vehicle weight of two tons and a maximum Trailer load of 1,3 tons. The curb weight of the trailer to be towed is included 1,1 tons and its permissible total weight is attached 1,4 tons. So the caravan can be pulled by the car. However, the caravan can weigh up to 100 kilograms not be fully loaded. According to the definition, there is also a technical possible trailer load and an legally approved towing capacity differentiated. Normally the technical possible trailer load decisive, which can be found in the vehicle documents.

The possible technical load is that trailer load specified by the manufacturerwhich can be found in the vehicle documents. This varies depending on the model between 500 kilograms and 3500 kilograms. The load depends on several factors such as the chassis, the vehicle weight or the installed trailer coupling. Commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles with a ladder frame have a particularly high towing capacity because the frames are more stable. Such frames are often installed in vehicles such as pick-ups. The technically possible towing loads are often 3500 kilograms.

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the permissible trailer load for cars is legally restricted. It is generally valid for all vehicles that are classified as passenger cars that the maximum permitted trailer load of 3500 kilograms must not be exceeded. In addition, the rule for cars still applies that the towed trailer load corresponds to the maximum permissible total mass, consisting of the vehicle weight and the maximum permissible load, must not be exceeded. For example, if the vehicle has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 2200 kg has the maximum attached trailer load don't lie about it.

It is also important, wo the maximum permissible trailer load of the vehicle can be found at all. This is in vehicle registration or im second part (II) on the registration certificate. Two points are important here. On the one hand 0.1, as this indicates the permissible braked technical trailer load in kilograms. On the other hand, there is a point 0.2 must be observed, as this indicates the permissible unbraked technical trailer load in kilograms.

It is also important to mention that the manufacturer can often provide additional information at the bottom of the registration certificate. For example, the maximum possible braked trailer load of a vehicle is 1.300 kilograms and the manufacturer notes that this is even up to an incline of 8% to 1.500 kilograms may be increased.

But there are a few more things to consider with regard to the trailer load. For example not Any combination can be driven with every driving license class and with a non-standard trailer coupling one cannot simply rely on the values ​​given by the manufacturer. As already mentioned, the permissible total weight of the vehicle may be 3500 kilograms and the maximum permissible trailer load is also 3500 kilograms. But not any combination of vehicles may be driven with any driving license. The permissible total weight of the vehicle and attached load is decisive here.

For example, the class B, so the "normal driver's license", only a vehicle combination be driven if their combined and maximum permissible total weight is at maximum 3500 kilograms lies. It does not matter whether a trailer coupling is installed on the vehicle or not, the maximum permissible trailer load is defined in the vehicle documents. In the case of a planned retrofitting of a trailer coupling for the vehicle, its traction capability should be identical to that in the vehicle documents. There are big differences here.

The trailer load is the load that the vehicle is allowed to pull. So the Combination of trailer or mobile home and its loading. Often there is, however, in the registration certificate of motorhomes save Information on the curb weight or information that deviates significantly from the actual equipment of the vehicle. It is best to completely empty and weigh the vehicle once and then weigh it once it is ready to travel. This can often be done at a landfill or gravel pit for a ten in the coffee box.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it.

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