HOW MUCH PAYLOAD DO YOU REALLY NEED?

This month, our regular columnist Motorhome Matt Sims takes a look at a weighty issue for all motorhomers

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If you’re shopping for a motorhome, or already own one, payload can feel like a confusing, slightly dull number lurking on a spec sheet. But trust me, it’s hugely important. If you get it wrong, you risk overloading your pride and joy, possibly invalidating your insurance, or even falling foul of the law. Get it right and you'll enjoy safer, smoother travels - and much less stress! So how much payload do you really need? The answer is: probably more than you think.

First, what is payload?

Payload is the weight you can legally add to your motorhome after the essentials are on board — that’s you, your passengers, your kit, your clothes, your food, your pets, your paddleboard, your e-bikes, and even that crate of local wine you weren’t planning to bring home from France.

This is the difference between your motorhome’s Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) or Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) and its weight when empty, which is known as the Mass in Running Order (MIRO). Clear as mud? You’re not alone. Simply put, payload equals the amount you can safely and legally load into the motorhome.

Payload matters more than you think

When picking a motorhome, it’s tempting to focus on the layout, the gadgets and the interior finishes. But payload deserves a top spot on your checklist. A common mistake is to fall for a fancy layout, only to discover later that there’s barely any payload left for your belongings.