Uprating your caravan at AL-KO VT
More payload for your caravan – safe and professional
Find out what uprating means, when it makes sense, and which possibilities AL-KO VT offers for your caravan
For over 25 years, as a chassis manufacturer, we've also been your expert partner for uprating caravans. We carry out an individual assessment for your caravan to establish the measures needed to achieve your desired permissible gross weight. There are many possibilities, which you can explore in detail in our blog. Further questions regarding uprating caravans are answered by Michael Duckek, head of the Customer Centre in Kötz, in our partner CamperStyle's podcast. Listen now!
Want to know whether your caravan is eligible for uprating at AL-KO VT? Simply fill in our enquiry form and the checklist. We will check your request individually and get back to you soon.
When is an increase in GVW worthwhile?
More payload means greater flexibility on your camping holiday
An increase in GVW is always worthwhile if your caravan's permissible gross weight is no longer sufficient. Additional equipment, more luggage or changing travel habits can quickly exhaust the available payload. By increasing GVW, you create additional reserves and can adapt your caravan to your individual requirements.
Typical reasons for increasing GVW:
- Retrofitting additional equipment: For example, air conditioning, awnings, solar panels or satellite systems all add to the weight of the vehicle and reduce the available payload.
- More luggage for leisure and holidays: Bicycles, kayaks, surfboards or other camping equipment require additional payload reserves.
- Changing travel habits: More people, pets, or a more extensive camping set-up increase overall weight and make an increase in GVW worthwhile.
Overview of options for increasing GVW
The available measures depend on the vehicle and the desired weight increase
Not every type of weight increase is suitable for every caravan. The decisive factors are the current and intended permissible gross weight, as well as the technical configuration of axle, braking system, overrun device, chassis, tyres and rims. In general: The greater the desired increase in weight, the more extensive the necessary modifications to the chassis may be.
- Administrative increase (documentation only):
No technical modifications to the chassis are required for an administrative increase. The caravan manufacturer checks for which permissible gross weight the existing chassis is designed, and confirms this with a certificate of no objection. The manufacturer will usually also issue a new type plate.
This option is only possible for certain vehicles and normally results in a comparatively small increase in payload. - Replacing suspension components:
For this type of increase, the axles are removed and the existing rubber cords are replaced with higher-grade suspension elements. The length and hardness of the new axle rubbers are calculated according to the required weight increase. After installation, tracking and camber are adjusted professionally.
- Replacing individual chassis components:
If replacing suspension components is not sufficient, further chassis components can be adapted. This may include axles, brakes, shock absorbers, overrun device or chassis parts. Which components are already rated for the higher load — and which need to be replaced — is determined on the basis of the vehicle’s technical data.
By replacing individual chassis components, an increase in permissible gross weight of up to 300 kilograms is possible. - Replacing the entire chassis:
If replacing individual components doesn’t allow for the required weight increase, the entire chassis can be replaced. In this case, the existing chassis is completely separated from the caravan body and replaced with a new chassis designed for the higher load.
Replacing the entire chassis allows an increase in permissible gross weight of up to 500 kilograms.
Important: Depending on the new gross weight, it may also be necessary to replace the tyres and rims. You should also ensure that the towing vehicle, your driving licence category, and any existing 100 km/h approval continue to be compatible with the new weights after the increase.
Once the increase is complete, the new permissible gross weight must be certified by an approved inspection body (e.g. TÜV or DEKRA) and entered in the vehicle documents. Depending on the new weight limit, your driving licence category, the 100 km/h approval, and the permissible trailer load of your towing vehicle may also be affected.
Requirements for caravan GVW increase
Before any increase in GVW, we check which options are available for your caravan.
Not every caravan can be uprated in the same way. The available options depend on the technical design of the vehicle and the desired permissible gross weight. That’s why, before any increase in GVW, we check which components are already rated for the higher load and whether technical modifications are necessary.
The following factors are assessed, among others:
- Vehicle data: Manufacturer, model, year of manufacture and current permissible gross weight.
- Chassis: Technical configuration of axle, braking system, overrun device and chassis.
- Tyres and rims: Load capacity and suitability for the intended gross weight.
- Existing additional equipment: For example, manoeuvring system, anti-snake system (ATC), GRP floor or other add-on parts.
- Available space: Sufficient clearance in the wheel arch area, as well as technical feasibility of the planned uprating.
Only after this technical assessment can we confirm which weight increase option is suitable for your caravan and which modifications may be required.
How does a GVW increase for your caravan work?
Step by step to the right increase in gross weight
So that the uprating is tailored precisely to your caravan, we support you from the initial technical assessment to successful entry in the vehicle documents.
- Complete the checklist:
Fill in our >checklist with the technical details of your caravan and send it to our service team. - Technical assessment:
Our experts check which uprating options are available for your caravan and prepare an individual quote for you. - Approval from the manufacturer:
You then apply to your caravan manufacturer for approval for the planned uprating. The manufacturer provides the required certificate of no objection and a new type plate. - Place the order:
Once all documents are complete, you can instruct AL-KO VT to carry out the uprating. - Book an appointment:
We order the necessary components and arrange a suitable appointment with you at our Customer Centre. - Professional installation:
Our service technicians carry out all required modifications professionally at our Customer Centre in Kötz or at another AL-KO VT Customer Centre. - Technical inspection:
Once work is complete, your caravan will be inspected and certified by an approved inspection organisation, such as TÜV or DEKRA. - Entry in the vehicle documents:
In the final step, you arrange for the new permissible gross weight to be entered in your vehicle documents by the registration authority. - More payload for your next holiday:
Once the new weight is officially documented, you can use your caravan with its increased gross weight and benefit from the additional payload reserves.
Costs of uprating
Every GVW uprating is as individual as your own caravan. Therefore, as a chassis manufacturer, we cannot make any statements about the options or costs based solely on the caravan model; instead, we require the checklist completed by you as a working basis. With this information, we can determine which individual components and technical features your trailer comprises, from which we will prepare your customised offer. As a guideline: the cost for the simplest form of uprating (replacing suspension elements) starts from around €1,800, while the base price for a full chassis replacement is €5,800. Depending on which components need to be replaced or installed in each case, further costs may be added to the basic price for any uprating option.
Interested? Request your offer now!
If you would like more freedom and wish to have your caravan uprated by AL-KO VT, no problem! Simply complete the enquiry form and the >checklist via this link. We will review your request and respond to you individually as soon as possible.
Our service team is also happy to answer any questions you may have in the Customer Centres!
Legal notes
After a successful increase in GVW, the new permissible gross weight must be certified by an approved inspection organisation (e.g. TÜV or DEKRA) and then entered in the vehicle documents. Depending on the increase, your driving licence category, the towing capacity of your towing vehicle and the 100 km/h approval may also be affected.
