Information on caravan weights and weight-related specifications (NEXT)

When selecting and configuring your caravan, you should always bear in mind that each caravan is only designed by the manufacturer for a maximum permissible total mass, which must not be exceeded while travelling. The applicable legal provisions on caravan weights, which we have summarised for you below, are based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of 31 March 2021, which applies uniformly throughout the European Union. Please read the following information carefully before selecting and configuring your caravan. If you have any questions, please contact your NEXT dealer.

1. The technically permissible maximum laden mass

The ‘technically permissible maximum laden mass’ is the maximum weight specified by the manufacturer that your caravan may have when loaded and travelling. Please bear in mind that exceeding the technically permissible maximum mass while travelling can lead to a safety risk and is punishable by fines in many European countries. We therefore recommend that you weigh your caravan before every journey and ensure that the technically permissible total mass is not exceeded. You can find the technically permissible maximum weight specified by the manufacturer for each base frame in the technical data.

2. The mass in running order

The ‘mass in running order’ is the weight of the standard, empty caravan according to the manufacturer's specifications, which includes the following items:

• the standard equipment of the caravan according to the manufacturer's specifications,
• the mass of the body, the towbar and the tools,
• the 100% full fresh water tank (25 litres),
• the water heater filled to 100%,
• the toilet flush tank filled to 100%,
• a 100% full steel gas cylinder with a weight of 12 kg (filling quantity: 5 kg).

The mass in running order is also specified for each floor plan in the technical data.

Please note, however, that these are calculated values from the type approval procedure, which are subject to legally permissible tolerances of up to ± 5%, which in turn can have a direct influence on the remaining payload and payload of the designated caravan (see also 4.).

Example:

The legally permissible range of the mass in running order is also specified in the technical data.

As the legally permissible tolerances can influence the remaining payload and the payload of the individual caravan, you should already consider the permissibility of such tolerances when configuring your caravan.

Example:

If the caravan from the above example has legally permissible tolerances of + 1% for the mass in running order, this increases from 824 kg to 832.3 kg, which reduces the payload and the remaining payload of the caravan by 8.3 kg.

3. The actual mass of the caravan and the standard/special equipment

The ‘actual mass’ of the caravan includes the mass in running order and the factory-fitted optional equipment.

The ‘standard equipment’ describes the basic configuration of a vehicle with all legally prescribed equipment features. This also includes all equipment fitted as standard. Detailed information on the standard equipment for each layout can be found in the configurator.

The ‘optional extras’ include all equipment that is not part of the standard equipment and is fitted to the caravan ex works under the manufacturer's responsibility. However, accessories that are installed by you or a dealer after the caravan has been delivered from the factory are not considered optional extras. You will also find details of the optional extras that can be ordered ex works in the configurator.

It is important to note that the installation of optional extras always leads to a reduction in the payload and load capacity of the caravan (see also 4.). The maximum dimensions of optional extras that can be ordered ex works for each caravan and layout (see also 5.).

4. The (minimum) payload and the payload

The ‘payload’ of a caravan is determined by subtracting the mass in running order and the mass of the optional equipment from the technically permissible total mass. For caravans, the payload generally corresponds to the ‘remaining payload’.

Example:

Please note, however, that the payload and thus also the remaining payload may be reduced accordingly due to legally permissible tolerances of up to +5% for the mass in running order (see also 2.).

European legislation stipulates a fixed ‘minimum payload’ for caravans for luggage and other objects that are not part of the factory-fitted optional equipment. This is to ensure that you can transport your personal luggage, such as clothing, toilet and kitchen equipment, food, camping equipment or toys, without exceeding the technically permissible total mass when loaded. 

This minimum payload is calculated as follows for caravans:

Minimum payload in kg ≥ 10*(n + L) 

n = maximum number of sleeping berths and

L = body length of the vehicle in metres

Example: 

For a caravan with 3 sleeping berths and a body length of 4.60 metres, the minimum payload is 76 kg (10*[3+4.60]).

Information on the number of sleeping berths can be found in the technical data for each layout. 

Please note that the configuration of your caravan must not fall below the legally prescribed minimum payload. If the actual vehicle mass is increased by the selection of optional extras to such an extent that there is no longer sufficient free mass between the actual vehicle mass and the technically permissible total mass for the legally prescribed minimum payload, you must either increase the load on the vehicle or deselect optional extras in order to continue with the configuration and ordering process.

Make sure that the technically permissible gross vehicle weight is not exceeded by asking your NEXT dealer if necessary.

5. The maximum mass for optional extras

To ensure that the technically permissible total mass of our caravans, taking into account the mass in running order and the legally prescribed minimum payload, is not exceeded by the installation of optional extras, we have limited the installation of optional extras by the manufacturer and defined a ‘maximum mass for optional extras’.

This maximum mass for optional equipment is calculated by subtracting the mass in running order and the minimum payload from the technically permissible total mass.

Since the mass in running order as a calculated value is subject to legally permissible tolerances of up to ± 5% and the occurrence of these tolerances can lead to an actual shortfall of the minimum payload, we include the legally permissible tolerances in the maximum mass for optional equipment as a precautionary measure. Special equipment features of country variants and special models that are not part of the standard equipment are also taken into account.

The maximum mass for optional extras is shown for each layout in the technical data.

Example: