Towing advice

An essential guide to towing caravans or trailers safely

Car with horse trailer

Follow these helpful hints and tips to help ensure that you ‘tow the line’ when it comes to towing:

Check your driving licence to find out the size of caravan/trailer you are permitted to tow
Ensure that the weight of the laden caravan or trailer is within the car’s towing capability. The weight of the loaded caravan/trailer should not exceed 85% of the car Kerb Weight (you can find the car Kerb Weight in the vehicle handbook)
Make sure that the tyres on the caravan or trailer are capable of carrying it at its maximum laden weight at the maximum speed limit. Check the tyre pressures regularly
During the hours of darkness the caravan or trailer must be fitted with the following: number plate light, direction indicators, brake lights, two red triangular reflectors, two red side lights fitted at the rear, and at least one working fog light (if the trailer width exceeds 1.3m)
The overall length of the trailer or caravan must not exceed 7m (excluding A-frame and hitch), the maximum width should not exceed 2.55m and the maximum weight of an unbraked trailer (including load) must be less than 750kg
Maximum speed limits for a car towing a caravan or trailer are as follows: 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph on other roads (providing no lower speed limit is in force)

Caravan and car

Drivers

If you’re using a tow bracket then it must be ‘type approved’. In other words it is designed for your car and meets EU regulations
You must ensure you have a proper view of the road behind you. Fit towing mirrors if needed
It is a good idea to get as much practice as you can before setting off on a long journey particularly in coupling or uncoupling and reversing
It is illegal to carry passengers in caravans or trailers
The caravan/trailer must display the same number plate as the towing car
Ensure the load in the caravan or trailer is properly secured. It is advised to check your load after travelling a few miles to ensure that everything is still secure
Remember the extra weight of the caravan or trailer will increase the time it takes accelerate and importantly STOP. Give yourself extra time and space to help cope with this
Watch out for strong side winds of the slip stream from passing lorries

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