In road traffic, each caravan is approved for only a certain maximum weight. This maximum weight may not be exceeded during operation. The technical and legal requirements for the weight of your caravan must therefore be given special consideration when you configure and select ancillary equipment (“packages”, “equipment features” and “options”) from our factory range.

Legal requirements concerning the weight of your caravan are set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of the Commission dated 31 March 2021 (up to 6/2022: Regulation (EU) No. 1230/2012 of the Commission dated 12 December 2012). In order to inform you as transparently and comprehensively as possible about the weight-related information listed in the scope of the configuration, the following explanations and information from Knaus Tabbert AG are based on the requirements of this regulation. Please carefully read the following explanations and notes on weight-related information before configuring and ordering your caravan. Our trade partners will also be happy to assist you with the selection and configuration of your caravan.

I. Terminology

1. The technically permissible maximum mass of the caravan

The “technically permissible maximum mass” of the caravan is shown in the certificate of registration Part I and refers to the maximum mass that your caravan may weigh when loaded (e.g. 1,500 kg) as specified by the manufacturer. This may not be exceeded during the journey. Exceeding the technically permissible maximum mass during operation is punishable by fines in many European countries. In Germany, exceeding the technically permissible maximum mass during operation can constitute an administrative offence punishable by a fine. We therefore recommend that you weigh your caravan before each journey and check that it complies with the technically permissible maximum mass. Compliance with the technically permissible maximum mass is your responsibility.

The technically permissible maximum mass for each floor plan is shown in the technical data.

2. The mass of the caravan in running order

The “mass in running order” refers to the mass of the caravan including body and standard factory equipment (“basic equipment” or “standard equipment”) including a filled aluminium gas cylinder, a full fresh water tank, a full flush toilet water tank, and a filled water heater.

For each floor plan, the mass in running order is shown in the technical data.

The following items are included in the mass in running order:

• the unladen weight of the caravan, including operating materials (e.g. greases, oils, and coolants) and on-board tools;
• the standard factory equipment (i.e. the basic configuration of the caravan) equipped with all the features required by law, including any fitted equipment that does not require further specifications at the configuration or equipment level;
• 100% filled fresh water tank;
• 100% filled aluminium gas cylinder with a capacity of 2.7 kg/5 kg/11 kg and a total weight of 6 kg/10 kg/23 kg;
• 100% filled flush toilet tank;
• 100% filled fresh water heater

Please note that the mass in running order specified in the technical data is a calculated nominal value, which is subject to production-related tolerances of up to ± 5%. These legally permissible tolerances can directly affect the actual mass of your caravan and thus also the vehicle load capacity or remaining payload. You should therefore definitely take these tolerances into account when configuring your vehicle.

3. The actual vehicle mass

The “actual vehicle mass” refers to the mass of the caravan in running order plus the mass of any factory-fitted ancillary equipment on a particular caravan.

4. The maximum number of sleeping berths

The “maximum number of sleeping berths” for each floor plan is shown in the technical data.

5. Standard equipment and ancillary equipment

The “standard equipment” (“basic equipment” or “series equipment”) refers to the basic configuration of a caravan equipped with all the features required by law, including any fitted equipment that does not require further specifications at the configuration or equipment level.

Details of the standard equipment (“basic equipment” or “standard equipment”)
are provided for the floor plan you have selected as part of the configuration below.

The “ancillary equipment” (“packages”, “equipment features”, and “options”) refers to all equipment not included in the standard equipment that is factory fitted to the caravan by the manufacturer and which can be ordered by the customer. Ancillary equipment in this sense does not include other accessories that are installed in the vehicle by you or your trading partner after delivery of the vehicle by the manufacturer.

Details of the (equipment) packages, features, and options that can be ordered at the factory are provided for the floor plan you have selected as part of the configuration below.

Please note that the installation of ancillary equipment always results in a reduction of the payload (see Item I. 6.). The maximum mass of ancillary equipment that can be selected for the respective floor plan can be found in the information on the respective vehicle floor plans (see Item I. 7.).

6. The payload and the minimum payload

The “payload” is calculated by subtracting the mass in running order and the manufacturer’s maximum mass of the ancillary equipment from the technically permissible maximum mass.

European legislation prescribes a fixed “minimum payload” for caravans; this must be adhered to for luggage and other accessories not installed by the manufacturer. This must not be undercut when configuring your caravan and is calculated using the following formula:

Minimum payload in kg ≥ 10 × (n + L)
The following applies: “n” = maximum number of sleeping berths and “L” = total length of the vehicle body in metres.

7. The maximum mass of the ancillary equipment

To ensure that the legally prescribed minimum payload is complied with, the “maximum mass of the ancillary equipment” is specified by the manufacturer for each floor plan. This is therefore the mass available for the selection of optional factory-fitted ancillary equipment (“packages”, “equipment features”, and “options”) whilst complying with the minimum payload required by law.

Knaus Tabbert AG calculates the maximum mass of the ancillary equipment by subtracting the mass in running order and the minimum payload from the technically permissible maximum mass.

Example:

II. Technical and legal information

1. Legally permissible tolerances in the calculation of weight data

The masses in running order given in the technical data are calculated nominal values, which are subject to production-related tolerances of up to ± 5%. These production-related tolerances of up to ± 5% are legally permissible and result from the use of natural materials (e.g. wood) as well as the manufacturing processes used by some suppliers. Despite optimised production processes, weight fluctuations resulting from the materials used cannot be completely ruled out. Because these legally permissible tolerances have a direct effect on the actual mass of your caravan and thus also on the possible vehicle load capacity or remaining payload, you should be sure to take them into account when configuring your vehicle.

Example:

2. Effect of the legally permissible tolerances

If, through the selection of ancillary equipment, the actual vehicle mass is increased to such an extent that there is no longer sufficient load capacity between the actual vehicle mass and the technically permissible maximum mass for the legally prescribed minimum payload, you can increase the vehicle load or deselect ancillary equipment when configuring your caravan. This is a prerequisite for being able to continue the configuration in our configurator. If this is not met, the configuration cannot be continued.

If necessary, check with your Knaus Tabbert AG dealer that the technically permissible maximum mass is not exceeded and that there is sufficient load capacity (minimum payload, see below).

However, irrespective of whether compliance with the minimum payload is guaranteed, you should observe the legally permissible production-related tolerances for the mass in running order within the scope of the configuration because these always affect the load capacities. You can therefore order only a maximum mass of ancillary equipment for each floor plan.

If you order the caravan from the above example with ancillary equipment with a total weight of 50 kg, the nominal value of the mass in running order shown in the technical data results in a payload of 130 kg. However, the actual load capacity may deviate from this value because of the legally permissible tolerances. If the mass of your caravan in running order is about 1% higher than the nominal value stated in the technical data, the load capacity is reduced from 130 kg to 117 kg:

Example:

We therefore recommend that you weigh your loaded caravan before each journey and check that you comply with the technically permissible maximum mass. As the driver of the vehicle, this check is your responsibility.