Understanding the different weight ratings on your caravan is essential for safe towing, legal compliance, and smart trip planning. Among the most commonly misunderstood terms is tare weight. You’ll see it stamped on your caravan’s compliance plate, mentioned in manuals, and discussed in forums — but what does it actually mean?
Tare weight is one of several official weight figures used to describe a caravan’s mass in different conditions. Knowing the tare weight helps you work out how much gear you can load into your van and ensures you don’t exceed towing or axle limits. It’s a number that affects everything from fuel efficiency to insurance — and if you’re looking at different caravans in Heatherbrae, understanding this figure will help you compare setups properly.
What Is Tare Weight?
Tare weight refers to the weight of a caravan when it leaves the factory — that is, with all standard equipment fitted but no personal items, water, gas, food, luggage, or aftermarket accessories.
It includes the chassis, internal fittings, appliances, upholstery, and standard fittings such as the awning and cooktop (if those were factory-fitted). However, anything added after delivery — including solar panels, bike racks, or toolboxes — is not included in the tare weight. This is important because many caravans get heavier over time as owners customise or upgrade them.
Tare weight is fixed at the time of manufacture and can only be altered legally by the manufacturer or a licensed vehicle modifier. It’s listed on the caravan’s compliance plate and is a crucial figure when calculating payload.
How Is Tare Weight Different from ATM and GVM?
It’s easy to confuse tare weight with other key caravan weights like ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass), GTM (Gross Trailer Mass), and GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass — for tow vehicles).
- Tare Weight: The empty caravan’s weight as supplied by the manufacturer
- ATM: The maximum legal weight the caravan can be when fully loaded — including water, gas, and all your gear
- Payload: The difference between ATM and tare weight — this is how much you can legally carry in the van
For example, if your caravan has a tare weight of 2,200kg and an ATM of 2,800kg, your payload is 600kg. Everything you add — clothes, food, water, tools, bikes, gas bottles — counts toward that 600kg limit.
Overloading your van beyond the ATM is illegal and can lead to insurance claims being denied, mechanical issues, or even fines.
Why Tare Weight Matters When Towing
Towing a caravan that exceeds your vehicle’s towing capacity or your van’s ATM is dangerous and illegal. Knowing the tare weight helps you calculate what your van weighs before it’s packed, so you can stay within legal and safe limits.
It’s also important when selecting a new caravan. A van with a lower tare weight gives you more flexibility with payload — useful if you’re planning long trips, travelling with kids, or carrying bulky equipment.
Some manufacturers list a deceptively low tare weight by excluding common items like battery systems or gas bottles that were added post-factory. That’s why it’s smart to weigh your van yourself once fully packed — or at least be conservative with your estimates.
Can Tare Weight Be Changed?
In most cases, tare weight is fixed once the caravan leaves the factory. However, if you remove or add significant features (like replacing a full oven with a cooktop or adding lithium batteries and solar), you can apply for a revised compliance plate — but only through an authorised engineer or manufacturer.
What you can change is how much you load into the van. Managing your payload carefully is key to keeping under your ATM and maintaining stability on the road. Some owners even upgrade their caravan’s suspension and axles to legally increase the ATM — but this involves engineering approval and isn’t as simple as bolting on a few parts.
FAQs
Here are the expanded versions of each FAQ, each now at least 150 words:
Is tare weight the same as unladen weight?
Tare weight and unladen weight are closely related terms, but they aren’t always interchangeable. Tare weight is the official term used in compliance documents and refers to the weight of a caravan as it leaves the factory — fitted with all standard equipment but without any personal belongings, fluids (like water or gas), or aftermarket additions. It’s a legally recognised figure and is listed on the caravan’s compliance plate. Unladen weight, on the other hand, is a more informal or loosely defined term. It generally means the weight of the van when it’s empty, but different manufacturers, insurers, or dealers may interpret it differently. For example, some may include an empty gas bottle or battery, while others won’t. Because of these inconsistencies, it’s always safer to use the tare weight as your reference point when planning your load. And if you’re ever in doubt, a weighbridge reading gives you the most accurate baseline.
How do I find the tare weight of my caravan?
The tare weight of your caravan is typically listed on its compliance plate — a small metal plate usually located on or near the drawbar, in the front boot, or just inside the door. This plate is fitted by the manufacturer and includes key information such as Tare Weight, ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass), and GTM (Gross Trailer Mass). These figures are essential when calculating payload and ensuring your setup is road legal. If the compliance plate is damaged or unreadable, you can contact the manufacturer or dealership with your caravan’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to get the original specs. For older or heavily modified vans, keep in mind that the actual current weight may be higher than the listed tare. Add-ons like toolboxes, solar panels, or upgraded batteries can increase the empty weight. To get a true reading, take your empty van — with all tanks drained and gear removed — to a public weighbridge and record the result.
What happens if I exceed the payload limit?
Exceeding your caravan’s payload limit is more than just a technicality — it can create serious safety, legal, and financial risks. Payload is the difference between the caravan’s ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) and its tare weight, and it represents the total weight you’re legally allowed to add — including water, gas, food, clothes, bikes, and all personal gear. If you go over this limit, your caravan may become unstable on the road, increasing the risk of sway, braking failure, or tyre blowouts. It can also place excessive strain on the suspension and chassis. From a legal standpoint, police and transport authorities regularly run roadside checks, and overweight rigs can result in fines or defect notices. Worse still, your insurance may be voided in the event of an accident if you’re found to be overloaded. The safest option is to weigh your van fully packed before each major trip and stay well within your allowable limits.
Does water and gas count toward payload?
Yes — absolutely. Water, gas, and all other consumables count toward your caravan’s payload. This is a common area where travellers underestimate their load. For example, a full 160-litre water tank adds around 160kg to your weight, and a pair of 9kg gas bottles (when full) contribute roughly 18kg. Add food, clothing, camping chairs, tools, generators, levelling ramps, and even your awning gear — and it’s easy to push beyond your legal limit without realising it. Everything not included in the manufacturer’s tare weight adds to your payload. Even batteries, solar panels, or toolboxes — if added post-factory — should be counted unless the van has been officially reweighed and documented. To stay compliant and safe, it’s critical to calculate your payload based on real-world travel conditions. The best practice is to weigh your van in a fully packed state — water tanks full, gas bottles fitted, and all gear loaded — at a certified weighbridge.
Can I increase my caravan’s ATM?
Yes, increasing your caravan’s ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) is possible — but it’s not something you can do on your own. It requires formal approval through an authorised process involving engineering assessment and physical modifications. Common upgrades include strengthening the chassis, upgrading the suspension, fitting higher-rated axles, and sometimes modifying brakes or coupling components. Once completed, a licensed engineer will inspect the work and, if compliant, issue a new compliance plate reflecting the higher ATM. This process can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on your van’s make and what’s involved. Keep in mind, increasing your caravan’s ATM does not increase your tow vehicle’s legal towing capacity — those limits remain fixed by the manufacturer. If you’re consistently running out of payload or planning long-term travel with a fully equipped van, an ATM upgrade can provide extra margin and peace of mind. Just make sure your caravan is structurally capable before proceeding.
Understanding weight for safer travels
Knowing your caravan’s tare weight — and how it fits into your overall towing setup — is a vital part of travelling safely and legally. It’s not just about numbers on a plate; it’s about understanding your limits so you can pack smarter, tow confidently, and enjoy the road ahead without risk.
Start your journey with confidence — visit 7th Street Caravans or give our team a call on 02 4012 6009 for friendly, local advice.