How much does the levelling kit take from the caravan's payload capacity?
A levelling kit permanently raises the unladen mass and comes out of the usable payload. No breakdown is published, so weighing after fitting is a must.
The usable payload capacity of a caravan is the difference between the maximum laden mass on the plate and the mass in running order. Every piece of equipment fitted afterwards comes out of that difference; once the levelling kit is fitted it permanently increases the unladen mass. A detailed weight breakdown of the KTS200 kit has not been published in itemised form on the product page, so the only reliable method is weighing after installation.
The logic of the calculation
Usable payload = Maximum laden mass - Mass in running order
This difference is the single pool shared by belongings, water, gas and all equipment fitted afterwards. Maximum laden mass is a fixed limit set by the manufacturer and tied to type approval; mass in running order is the state of the vehicle as it left the factory. After installation the second value grows while the first stays fixed; that is, the amount of goods you can carry each time is reduced by that much.
Which parts of the kit come out of this share
- The four electric jacks together with the brackets that fasten them to the chassis and the reinforcement pieces.
- The ASX103 levelling brain and the GRV485 control unit.
- The supply cables running to the jacks, the fuse and the cable trunking.
- The base plates you put under the jacks; if they travel in the vehicle they are load as well.
Most of the weight is in the jacks, and because the jacks are spread over the front and rear areas of the chassis they also shift the centre of gravity; on a towed caravan in particular this shift directly affects the measurement at the front.
What to verify and how
| Quantity | Where it is read | What to do after installation |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum laden mass | Vehicle plate and registration document | Does not change, taken as the reference |
| Mass in running order | Catalogue value | Measured again on a weighbridge |
| Axle load | Weighbridge | Right and left checked separately |
| Noseweight | Noseweight gauge or weighbridge | Always measured again on a towed caravan |
- After installation, weigh the caravan laden on a weighbridge. Real measurement is the most accurate method rather than estimating from catalogue figures.
- Staying under the total mass is not enough: axle load and noseweight are separate quantities; check them separately.
- Weigh with the water, the fuel and the gas at their usual levels; a half-full weighing does not represent real use.
The most frequent mistake at this stage is weighing the caravan empty and adding the catalogue difference on top. When you drive onto the weighbridge the vehicle must be in the state it will travel in: water, gas, food, bicycles and the generator if there is one. If you can, put one axle on the weighbridge and leave the other off it so you read the axle loads separately; on a towed caravan weigh the drawbar separately as well.
Where this calculation is not enough
Even while the total mass is below the limit, the load per axle or the noseweight may already have been exceeded; the total on its own is not a sufficient check. Exceeding the maximum laden mass is not only a technical but a legal problem; it creates risk in terms of insurance and the manufacturer's warranty. For definite information about fitting the kit to your caravan and its weight effect, consult your caravan manufacturer or an authorised project engineer.
What to do
Find out your current usable payload before installation, and weigh the vehicle after installation so you see the difference as a real figure. If the difference brings you close to the limit, the easiest compensation is to reduce the amount of fresh water you carry when you set off. Whether the jack capacity suits the weight of your caravan is a separate question; it is dealt with on the jack capacity selection page.
The full topic: How to choose levelling jack capacity