Legal Notice on Vehicle Weight Data in Accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535
European
legislation establishes uniform rules for the declaration and
verification of motor vehicle masses, including motorhomes. In
accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535, we as the
manufacturer are obliged to provide customers with clear and
comprehensible information on all data related to vehicle weight. The
key terms and principles explained below are intended to assist you in
understanding the configuration and permissible load of your vehicle.
1. Technically permissible maximum vehicle mass
The
technically permissible maximum mass (e.g. 3,500 kg) is the maximum
mass specified for a particular model by the manufacturer of the base
vehicle. It includes the vehicle itself, all passengers, fluids,
luggage, optional equipment and other loads. This value is stated in the
vehicle’s technical documentation and official documents (CoC,
registration certificate).
Exceeding this mass constitutes a violation of road traffic regulations.
2. Mass of the vehicle in running order
The mass in running order forms the basis for all further calculations. It includes:
• the vehicle in standard specification with all mandatory operating fluids (engine oil, coolant, AdBlue, etc.),
• standard installed equipment,
• a fuel tank filled to 90 %,
• fresh water in the quantity specified by the manufacturer for driving,
• one full gas cylinder,
• the driver with a standardized mass of 75 kg (statutory value).
The
mass in running order is determined during the type approval process
and may vary in series production due to permitted tolerances. EU
legislation allows a deviation of ±5 %, reflecting natural variations in
material weights and production processes.
Each vehicle is weighed at the end of production to verify compliance with the permitted tolerances.
3. Passenger mass
For
each approved seating position, a standardized mass of 75 kg is
assumed, regardless of the actual weight of the passengers. The driver’s
mass is already included in the mass in running order; therefore, only
additional passengers are taken into account in calculations.
Example: vehicle with four seats → 3 × 75 kg = 225 kg.
4. Optional equipment and actual vehicle mass
Optional
equipment includes all items that are not part of the standard
specification and are installed at the factory (e.g. awning, tow bar,
solar system, satellite antenna, additional batteries, furniture
upgrades, etc.).
Each item of optional equipment increases the vehicle mass and reduces the available payload.
The actual vehicle mass is the sum of:
• the mass in running order,
• factory-installed optional equipment.
The actual vehicle mass is stated in item 13.2 of the CoC document for the individual vehicle.
5. Payload (pay-mass) and minimum payload
The payload is the mass available for luggage and equipment not installed at the factory. It is calculated as follows:
Payload = technically permissible maximum mass – mass in running order – passenger mass – optional equipment mass
EU regulations also prescribe a mandatory minimum payload that must be available for every motorhome:
Minimum payload (kg) ≥ 10 × (n + L)n = maximum number of passengers plus driver
L = vehicle length in metres
This value limits the maximum amount of optional equipment that may be selected.
If the selected optional equipment is too heavy, it may be necessary to:
• reduce the amount of optional equipment,
• select a higher permissible maximum vehicle mass (if available),
• reduce the number of approved seats.
6. Effect of tolerances on actual payload
As
the mass in running order is subject to permitted tolerances, the
actual payload may differ from the calculated value. Even an increase of
the mass in running order by, for example, 2 % can significantly reduce
the available payload.
We therefore recommend taking possible deviations into account when configuring the vehicle.
7. Recommendations for users
For safe and legal use of the vehicle, we recommend:
• weighing the loaded vehicle on a certified scale before travelling,
• checking compliance with the permissible maximum vehicle mass and axle load limits,
• taking into account the actual weight of passengers and personal equipment.
We accept no liability for increased weight resulting from owner-installed modifications.