Towing a caravan can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore the great outdoors, giving you the freedom to travel with the comforts of home. However, before you hitched up and set off on your adventure, it’s crucial to understand the legalities, including licence requirements and towing regulations. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about towing a caravan in the UK, from licence rules to essential towing weights.
The key things you need to understand and consider are…
1. Can I Tow With My Licence? Licence Rules for Towing
In December 2021 towing laws changed, allowing UK drivers to tow a trailer or caravan without holding a specific driving licence to tow. Previously, UK drivers who passed their test after January 1, 1997, were permitted to take an additional test to obtain their B+E licence allowing them to tow a caravan up to 3,500kg.
The new rules now are now…
Standard UK Driving Licence (Category B)
If you passed your driving test after January 1, 1997, you will have some restrictions when it comes to towing but it rarely affects the towing limits of a caravan as most caravans weigh no more than 2,500kg never mind 3,500kg.
The towing laws for drivers who passed their test after January 1, 1997 are…
- You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass). This is known as a B+E licence. Your driving licence information shows which categories of vehicle you’re allowed to drive.
- If you do not have ‘category BE’ on your physical driving licence, DVLA will add this the next time you renew your licence.
Drivers Who Passed Before 1997
If you passed your driving test before January 1, 1997, you automatically received additional towing privileges which allows you to tow heavier trailers although, it is rare to find a caravan that weights over 3,500kg anyway.
- You can drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass). View your driving licence information to check.
- You can also drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
2. Can My Car Tow? Car Towing Rules
a) Maximum Towing Capacity
Every vehicle has a specified towing capacity, which indicates the maximum weight it can safely tow. This capacity can usually be found in your car’s owner manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Always adhere to this limit to ensure safety and prevent damage to your vehicle. You can check your car’s limit by filling out the tow check form on our tow check page.
When you’re looking for a caravan you should compare your vehicles permissible towing limit, against the MTPLM (Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass) of the caravan to see if you can tow the caravan. This is all the information you need to see if you can legally tow a caravan, although we would also recommend that the caravan isn’t heavier than the kerb weight of the car, so when you brake it doesn’t push against the car. Although this is only a recommendation as there are ways to get around this such as packing the car with more items to make the car heavier than the caravan.
For example…
Example 1 – A Legal Match With Advisories.
• MTPLM Of Caravan: 1,284Kg
• Car’s Permissible Towing Limit: 1,500Kg
• Car’s Kerb Weight (Unladen / Empty): 1,250kg
• Car’s Gross Vehicle Weight (Maximum Fully Loaded) : 1,800kg
Recommendation: You are legally able to tow this caravan but proceed with caution as the caravan loaded to it’s maximum outweighs the car’s kerb weight by 34kg. We would recommend making the car heavier with passengers or additional equipment in the boot to make sure that the caravan doesn’t weigh more than the car. Experience in towing is advised in the scenario.
Example 2 – A Recommend Legal Match
• MTPLM Of Caravan: 1,200Kg
• Car’s Permissible Towing Limit: 1,500Kg
• Car’s Kerb Weight (Unladen / Empty): 1,250kg
• Car’s Gross Vehicle Weight (Maximum Fully Loaded) : 1,800kg
Recommendation: This is perfectly fine not only legally but would be classed as a perfect recommendation for towing. The car manufacturer stipulates you can tow it legally (1,500kg) and the car weighs (1,250kg) more than the fully loaded caravan (1,200kg).
Example 3 – illegal Match
• MTPLM Of Caravan: 1,650Kg
• Car’s Permissible Towing Limit: 1,500Kg
• Car’s Kerb Weight (Unladen / Empty): 1,250kg
• Car’s Gross Vehicle Weight (Maximum Fully Loaded) : 1,800kg
Recommendation: This is an illegal combination. The caravan’s MTPLM (1,650kg) exceeds, the car’s permissible towing limit (1,500kg). You should not attempt to tow this caravan as you would be breaking the law.
b) Towing Equipment
Proper towing equipment is crucial for a safe and successful towing experience:
- Tow Bar: Ensure you have a compatible tow bar installed. Different types (fixed, detachable, and swan neck) are available based on your needs and the type of caravan you’ll be towing.
- Electrical Connections: The tow bar should connect to your car’s electrics to ensure that the caravan’s lights and indicators function properly, an adapter may be fine if you are going from a 7-pin to a 13-pin electrical connector.
- Safety Chains: Always use safety chains as an extra precaution to prevent the caravan from detaching from your vehicle, also known as a breakaway cable.
c) Weight Distribution
Weight distribution plays a critical role in the safety and performance of your towing setup:
- Nose Weight: This is the downward force that the caravan’s hitch exerts on the tow bar. Most caravans have a recommended nose weight, typically between 70 kg and 100 kg. It’s crucial to ensure that your caravan’s nose weight does not exceed this limit, as it can significantly affect your vehicle’s handling and braking. Your car manufacturer will stipulate the noseweight limit whilst a caravan will also have a noseweight but this can vary depending on how you load your caravan.
- Payload: Be mindful of the weight of the contents inside your caravan, which includes personal belongings, water, and gas bottles. Keeping track of this weight ensures you remain within the caravan’s overall weight limits. Every caravan will have a MiRO Weight (empty weight) and an MTPLM Weight (maximum weight fully loaded). The difference between the 2 weights will give you the payload of the caravan e.g. 1,400kg MTPLM – 1,200kg MiRO = 200kg payload.
d) Braking System
If you’re towing a caravan, understanding the braking system is essential:
- Braked vs. Unbraked Trailers: If your caravan weighs more than 750 kg, it should have a braking system. Ensure your caravan’s brakes are functioning correctly before setting off. Most caravans from reputable dealers have their own braking system.
Glossary Of Weights – Important Weights to Know
Understanding the various weight classifications related to towing is crucial for compliance and safety:
1. Kerb Weight
This is the weight of your vehicle when it’s empty, including all fluids (like fuel) but excluding any additional load or passengers.
2. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
This refers to the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely carry, which includes the car itself, passengers, and any additional load.
3. Maximum Towing Capacity
This is the maximum weight your car can tow safely, including the caravan and any additional load.
4. Payload
This is the weight of everything you add to your caravan, including personal belongings and water. It’s essential to ensure this weight, combined with the caravan’s weight, does not exceed the maximum allowed by the manufacturer.
Practical Tips for Towing a Caravan
1. Know Your Vehicle’s Limits
Always refer to your vehicle’s specifications for towing capacity and ensure you remain within those limits. Exceeding these limits can lead to safety hazards and potential legal issues.
2. Check Your Caravan’s Specifications
Be aware of your caravan’s weight, nose weight, and payload limits to ensure you comply with regulations. This knowledge is vital for safe towing.
3. Practice Driving with a Caravan
If you’re new to towing, consider practicing in a safe area to get a feel for how the caravan affects your vehicle’s handling, braking, and turning.
4. Use Proper Equipment
Invest in high-quality towing equipment, including a reliable tow bar and safety chains. Ensure everything is correctly fitted and in good working condition before setting off.
5. Be Mindful of Road Conditions
Towing a caravan can significantly alter your vehicle’s handling, especially in adverse weather or on uneven terrain. Drive cautiously and adjust your speed as necessary.
6. Take Breaks
When towing long distances, it’s essential to take regular breaks. This will help you stay alert and allow you to check the caravan’s connections, tire pressure, and overall condition.
Conclusion
Towing a caravan can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, offering the freedom to explore and create lasting memories. However, understanding the relevant licence rules, vehicle towing capacities, and safety regulations is crucial for a successful journey. Whether you’re a seasoned caravan enthusiast or new to towing, being informed and prepared will ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable adventure on the open road.
If you’re seeking for a touring caravan then you can filter by the your cars towing limit by using the dials to choose the maximum MTPLM you can town. Check our caravans for sale here. If you’re not sure what your car can tow you cna check it with us on our tow check page.
