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Motorhome payload can disappear surprisingly quickly. Add passengers, water, fuel, bikes, outdoor furniture, food and all the kit you carry for a trip, and those available kilos soon start adding up.
If you’ve been to a weighbridge and discovered your motorhome is overweight, or you’re worried that you’re getting close to its maximum permitted weight, there are plenty of practical ways to reduce what you carry.
It’s not only the overall weight of your motorhome that matters either. Your front and rear axles have individual weight limits, so it’s possible to be under your motorhome’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) and still be overloaded on one axle.
In this guide, we explain motorhome payload and share 16 practical ways to reduce weight, make better use of the payload you have and stay safe and legal on the road.
Motorhome Payload Key Facts
What it is: The Gap Decaders’ guide to motorhome payload explains what payload means, how to check your motorhome’s weight and 16 practical ways to reduce the weight you carry.
Why it matters: Your motorhome must stay within its Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) and its individual axle limits. It’s possible to be below the overall MAM but still overload an axle.
Quick weight saving: Water is one of the easiest weights to manage. One litre weighs approximately 1kg, so travelling with 50 litres instead of a full 100 litre tank saves around 50kg of payload.
First-hand experience: The Gap Decaders have owned and travelled extensively in motorhomes and overland vehicles since 2018, managing payload, axle weights and vehicle loading for long-term travel across the UK and Europe.
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Motorhome Payload Explained
Motorhome payload is essentially the amount of weight you have available for everything you add to your motorhome, including passengers, luggage, food, water, bikes and other equipment.
It is calculated from the difference between the motorhome’s Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) and its Mass in Running Order (MRO).
The MAM is the maximum your motorhome is legally allowed to weigh when fully loaded.
The MRO is the manufacturer’s stated weight of the motorhome in running order before you add your own passengers, luggage and equipment. Depending on the vehicle and the standard under which it was approved, the MRO may include specified amounts of fuel and fresh water, gas and an allowance for the driver. This is why it’s important to check exactly what is included in the MRO quoted for your particular motorhome rather than assuming every manufacturer calculates it in exactly the same way.
For example, if your motorhome has a MAM of 3,500kg and an MRO of 3,000kg, its stated payload is 500kg.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have 500kg available for everything you want to take. Factory-fitted options, dealer additions and accessories can all eat into that figure before you start loading your belongings.
That’s why the most useful figure is the actual weight of your motorhome when loaded as you normally travel.
You also need to stay within the individual front and rear axle limits shown on the vehicle weight plate. A motorhome can be below its overall MAM but still be overloaded on one axle, particularly where heavy items such as bikes, scooters or equipment are carried at the rear.
Overloading can affect handling, braking and tyre performance, as well as potentially leading to enforcement action and insurance problems.
If you’re unsure about any of these terms, our Easy Motorhome Weight Guide explains MAM, MRO, axle weights and how to weigh your motorhome in more detail.
How Can I Reduce Motorhome Weight?
If your motorhome is overweight or you’re getting uncomfortably close to its limits, the first step is to find out exactly where you stand.
Take your motorhome to a weighbridge loaded as you would normally travel, including passengers, fuel, water, bikes and all your usual equipment. If possible, get separate front and rear axle weights as well as the overall weight.
Once you know how much weight you need to lose, you can make sensible decisions about what stays and what goes rather than stripping out things unnecessarily.
Here are 16 practical ways to reduce your motorhome weight and make better use of the payload you have.
1. Travel With Less Water
Water is one of the easiest places to save weight. One litre of fresh water weighs approximately 1kg, so travelling with a full 100 litre tank means carrying around 100kg.
Unless you need a full tank for wild camping or you know water will be difficult to find at your destination, consider carrying enough for the journey and filling up when you arrive.
Empty your grey waste tank and toilet cassette before travelling too. There’s little point using valuable payload to transport waste water from one place to another.
2. Review Heavy Accessories and Upgrades
Motorhomes have a habit of accumulating accessories over the years, and some of the biggest upgrades come with a significant weight penalty.
Satellite dishes, air-conditioning units, generators, hydraulic levelling systems, large awnings, extra batteries, spare wheels and additional leisure equipment can all reduce your available payload.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have them, but it’s worth knowing what each accessory weighs and deciding whether you use it enough to justify the payload it consumes.
If you’re ordering a new motorhome, check the weight of factory options before ticking every box on the specification sheet.
3. Check the Weight of Your Awning and Outdoor Gear
Awnings, windbreaks, outdoor rugs, tables and chairs can take up a surprising amount of your payload.
Don’t assume an inflatable awning will automatically be lighter than a traditional one. Some large air awnings are extremely heavy once you include the fabric, pump, pegs and accessories.
Check the packed weight before buying and think about how much outdoor equipment you actually use. A lightweight canopy, compact chairs and folding table may be all you need.
4. Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Use
Motorhomes come with an amazing number of things that gradually become permanent passengers.
Fitted carpets, removable shower boards, spare cushions for beds you never make up, duplicate cables and hoses, old campsite directories and enormous vehicle manuals can all add unnecessary weight.
Go through the motorhome cupboard by cupboard and ask when you last used each item. If you can’t remember, it probably doesn’t need to come with you.
If you’re taking your first motorhome trip, though, we’d probably hang on to the manual!
5. Choose Lightweight Kitchenware
You don’t need to replace everything in your kitchen just to save a few grams, but if your payload is tight, kitchen cupboards are a good place to look.
Heavy crockery, glassware, cast-iron cookware and multiple pans soon add up. Lightweight plates and bowls, a sensible number of glasses and cookware that can perform several jobs can make a worthwhile difference.
The same applies to food. Carrying six tins of something “just in case” is still carrying six tins.
6. Carry the Gas You Actually Need
Gas bottles are another significant chunk of weight, particularly if you routinely carry two large cylinders.
Think about how much gas you actually use and how easy it will be to refill or replace it during your trip. Depending on your set-up and travel plans, smaller cylinders or a refillable LPG system may help you carry only the capacity you need.
Remember that the quoted weight of a gas bottle and the weight of its contents are separate, so check the total weight when full.
7. Swap Heavy Towels for Microfibre
Traditional bath and beach towels can be surprisingly heavy, especially when wet.
Microfibre towels are considerably lighter, take up less storage space and dry much more quickly, which is particularly useful in a motorhome where damp washing can contribute to condensation.
You can now get decent-sized microfibre bath and beach towels, so going lightweight doesn’t have to mean drying yourself with something the size of a tea towel.
8. Don’t Carry a Supermarket Around Europe
It’s tempting to fill every cupboard before a long trip, particularly if you’re heading abroad and worry you won’t be able to find your usual favourites.
But food and drink are heavy. Tinned food, jars, bottles, cartons and bulk supplies can quickly account for tens of kilos.
Unless you’re heading somewhere genuinely remote, take what you need for the first few days and shop as you travel. European supermarkets stock most of the everyday things you’ll need, including baked beans!
Complete Guide for Motorhome Beginners
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9. Buy Lightweight Camping Gear
Camping equipment is one area where choosing lightweight versions can make a noticeable difference.
Chairs, tables, footstools, outdoor rugs and loungers all need to earn their place. Compare the actual product weights before buying rather than choosing solely on size or appearance.
Lightweight camping equipment can cost more, but if payload is limited, saving several kilos across your outdoor set-up may be worthwhile.
10. Avoid Duplicate Cooking Equipment
Motorhome kitchens have limited space as well as limited payload, so choose cooking equipment that can do more than one job.
You probably don’t need a barbecue, separate grill, electric hotplate, pizza oven and a cupboard full of pans unless you genuinely use them all.
We’ve always preferred cooking equipment that can handle several different types of meal. Whatever system works for you, the principle is the same: fewer pieces of versatile equipment usually mean less weight.
11. Choose Multi-Purpose Motorhome Gear
Before adding another gadget to your motorhome, ask what problem it solves and whether something you already own can do the same job.
The best motorhome accessories are lightweight, compact and useful for more than one purpose. Folding, nesting and collapsible items are particularly handy because they save storage space as well as helping to keep clutter under control.
Be especially wary of those clever-looking motorhome gadgets you buy before a trip and never use again!
12. Cut Back on Clothes and Shoes
Clothing can become a surprisingly large part of your payload, particularly on long trips where it’s tempting to pack for every possible situation.
Pack in layers and choose clothes that work together and can be washed and dried easily. Technical fabrics are useful because they tend to be lighter, dry quickly and take up less space.
Shoes are particularly bulky and heavy, so take a realistic look at how many pairs you actually wear when you’re travelling.
13. Think About Payload Before Buying a Motorhome
Payload shouldn’t be something you discover after you’ve bought the motorhome.
Some manufacturers keep models at or below 3,500kg so they can be driven on a standard Category B car licence, but that can leave surprisingly little usable payload once optional equipment has been fitted.
Before buying, work out what you realistically need to carry. Include passengers, water, bikes, pets, outdoor furniture and any extras you intend to have fitted.
A motorhome with a large garage isn’t necessarily capable of carrying everything you can physically fit inside it.
14. Have a Regular Clear-Out
Payload creep is real. You add a cable here, a spare part there and another useful gadget in a cupboard, and eventually you’re carrying dozens of things you’ve forgotten you own.
If you use your motorhome for holidays, have a clear-out before the start of each touring season. If you travel long-term, do it every few months.
Anything you haven’t used for a long time deserves another look. Keep safety equipment and sensible spares, of course, but be ruthless with everything else.
15. Watch What Goes in the Garage
Large rear garages are one of the easiest places to overload a motorhome because there’s plenty of room and it’s tempting to fill every bit of it.
Bikes, e-bikes, barbecues, outdoor furniture, tools, spare parts and storage boxes can add hundreds of kilos surprisingly quickly.
There’s another issue too. Weight carried behind the rear axle can have a greater effect on the rear axle load because of leverage, while also reducing the load on the front axle. That means you can exceed your rear axle limit even though the motorhome remains below its overall MAM.
Check the maximum permitted garage load specified by the manufacturer and get your individual axle weights checked at a weighbridge.
16. Consider Uprating Your Motorhome
If you’ve removed unnecessary weight and still don’t have enough usable payload, uprating your motorhome may be an option.
Many motorhomes plated at 3,500kg are built on chassis capable of operating at a higher weight, although what is possible depends on the chassis, axles, tyres, suspension and other components.
An uprating specialist can advise whether your motorhome can simply be replated or needs mechanical modifications before its MAM can be increased.
Your driving licence matters too. A standard Category B licence generally covers vehicles up to 3,500kg. If your motorhome is uprated above this, you’ll need the appropriate entitlement. Drivers who passed their UK car test before 1 January 1997 will usually have acquired Category C1 entitlement, which generally covers vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. Other drivers may need to obtain C1 entitlement separately.
Uprating can also affect insurance, breakdown cover, speed limits, tolls and other rules, particularly when travelling in Europe, so check the wider implications before going ahead.
Specialists such as SVTech can assess your vehicle and advise what uprating options are available.
Managing Your Motorhome Payload
Managing payload isn’t about stripping your motorhome back to the bare essentials. It’s about knowing how much weight you have available and making informed choices about what you carry.
Small savings across water, food, clothes and equipment can quickly add up, but don’t rely on guesswork. Once you’ve made changes, take your motorhome back to a weighbridge in normal travelling trim and check the overall weight and individual axle loads.
And remember that having spare payload doesn’t automatically mean you can keep loading the garage. Where you carry the weight matters just as much as how much you carry.
Once you know your motorhome is within its limits, you can get on with enjoying the trip without wondering how many kilos are hiding in the cupboards!
More Motorhome Tips to Explore
Motorhome Water Systems: Fresh Water, Waste Tanks and Maintenance
Motorhome LPG: Gas Bottles, Refillable Systems & European Travel
Motorhome Safety: How to Stay Safe & Legal on the Road
Italy Motorhome Itinerary: The Ultimate 3–4 Week Road Trip
Germany Motorhome Itinerary: The Ultimate 2 Week Road Trip
Motorhome Habitation Check: What It Is, What’s Checked & What It Costs
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