Tempted by a new caravan? It’s show season, with all the new caravans for 2005 on display. If you see something you like, here’s your essential checklist from Mitsubishi for ensuring the van of your dreams is compatible with your car.
 • Make sure you know the details of your towcar: manufacturer’s towing limit, kerbweight, noseweight, gross vehicle weight, gross train weight (older cars only) and maximum authorised mass (newer vehicles only).
 • Obtain the relevant details for the caravan you are considering: most importantly the maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM), which includes user payload.
 • Ensure the MTPLM is less than the car’s towing limit. Check the car’s limit doesn’t reduce when it’s significantly loaded.
 • Ensure the MTPLM is less than the car’s kerbweight, and ideally no more than 85 percent of it.
 • With car and caravan fully loaded, will the car’s maximum authorised mass be exceeded?
 • The sum of the car’s gross vehicle weight and the caravan’s MTPLM must never exceed the vehicle’s gross train weight.
 • Can your car withstand the van’s noseweight?
 • Is the car powerful enough. Aim for at least 40bhp per tonne of train weight.
 • If the car fails any of these criteria by a modest amount, check the van’s user payload allowance. Is this sufficient for you to use the caravan appreciably below its maximum weight?
 • If it fails by a significant margin, you should look for a different caravan.
 • Some dealers can help you with these assessments by using a computer database. The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club also offers a matching service to their members.