⚖️ Save Weight, Travel Light: Smart Ways to Reduce Caravan Load
- IDS Camping & Leisure
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
One of the most important parts of safe and enjoyable caravanning is managing your weight. Every extra kilo can affect your fuel economy, towing stability, and overall handling—not to mention risking a fine if you’re over your legal limit!
If your van is starting to feel more like a storage unit on wheels, it’s time for a weight-saving rethink. Here are some practical tips for lightening your load without sacrificing comfort.
🧳 1. Weigh Everything – Don’t Guess!
Start with the basics:
Know your caravan’s MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) and MIRO (Mass in Running Order).
Weigh your loaded caravan at a public weighbridge or with portable caravan scales.
Add up the weight of what you’re packing—you might be surprised what it all adds up to!
🪑 2. Go Lightweight with Furniture & Accessories
Swap out heavy furniture and gear for lightweight versions:
Aluminium camping tables and chairs
Melamine or bamboo dinnerware
Collapsible items (like kettles, washing bowls, and buckets)
Lightweight cooking pans (leave the cast iron at home!)
🧼 3. Downsize Your Toiletries & Cleaning Products
Avoid carrying full-size bottles—opt for:
Travel-sized toiletries
Solid soap, shampoo bars, and laundry sheets
Concentrated or multi-purpose cleaning sprays
Plus, leave the five spare air fresheners behind… one will do!
💧 4. Travel with Empty Water Tanks
Water is heavy—1 litre = 1kg.
Unless you need it while on the move, travel with:
Empty fresh and waste water tanks
Only the amount of drinking water you’ll need on the journey
Empty aquarolls and fill up when you get to the site
👚 5. Pack Less Clothing
It’s tempting to pack for all four seasons—don’t!
Plan outfits that mix and match
Choose easy-dry, lightweight fabrics
Use site laundries rather than packing 14 pairs of socks
🛠️ 6. Ditch the “Just in Case” Kit
We all have those items we bring “just in case.” Be honest:
Do you really need that extra camping stove, three spare torches, or full DIY toolbox?
Prioritise items you use every trip and store seasonal extras at home.
⚙️ 7. Use Lightweight Storage Options
Heavy-duty storage boxes = heavy van. Try:
Fabric storage cubes
Mesh pockets or hanging organisers
Remove bulky boxes and plastic drawers unless essential
⚖️ 8.Repack Your Toolkit
You don’t need every spanner ever made.
Carry the essentials: screwdriver, spanner set, duct tape, fuses
For larger tools, consider a compact multi-tool
💨 9. Store Heavy Items Low and Central
This is less about saving weight, more about managing it.
Place heavier items like awnings and BBQs over the axle and low to the floor
Keep lighter items in higher cupboards to avoid tipping and sway
📦 10.Audit Regularly
Make it a habit:
After every trip, review what you used—and what you didn’t
Unload anything that hasn’t earned its place on board
Keep a packing checklist to avoid over-packing in future
✅ Final Thoughts
Reducing weight isn’t just about saving fuel—it’s about safety, legal compliance, and easier towing. Plus, the less clutter you have, the more relaxing your caravan feels inside.
Got your own weight-saving tip? Share it with us in the comments or over on our socials. And don’t forget to browse our range of lightweight caravan accessories at IDS Camping and Leisure to help you hit the road smarter and lighter.
Comments