Can I Tow a Caravan?
If you are a bit of an adventurer and enjoy the great outdoors then spending your holidays in a caravan will appeal to you. It's a great way to see the country and there are a whole host of purpose-built caravan sites available for your use. It is also a cheaper option than paying for hotel rooms especially if you have a couple of kids.
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Can my Car Tow a Caravan?
Generally speaking a car is capable of towing a caravan—if the mass of the caravan is 85% or less of your car’s total curb weight. One of the most important things to determine when towing a caravan is the capability of your vehicle. If driving a standard car you need to make sure it can handle the weight of towing the planned load. Check your car’s manual for details of the curb weight of your vehicle in order to calculate your car's towing capability.
You'll also need to know the maximum mass of the caravan you'll be pulling. For inexperienced drivers the caravan should be less than 85% of your car's total curb weight; if the caravan exceeds 85% of your cars curb weight then it still may be towed but it will be much more challenging for the driver, especially an inexperienced one.
How much does a Caravan weigh?
A 2 to 4 berth caravan typically weighs around 800 - 1,300kg in total, while a 4 to 6 berth caravan averages 1,300 - 1,800kg. The weight and size of a caravan will vary depending on how many berths, or sleeping areas, the unit contains. The weight and size can also be affected by things like the age of the vehicle, model, or manufacturer.
| Average caravan weight | |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 berth | 800 - 1,300kg |
| 4 to 6 berth | 1300 - 1,800kg |
To find out the weight of your caravan locate the manufacturer's plate which will be attached to the caravan’s chassis. This will provide information about your vehicle's weight, tyre size and pressure, and other useful data.
What Caravan can I Tow?
You can tow any type of touring caravan, providing it falls within the safe towing/payload guidelines for your car. There is no restriction on the type or make of caravan that you can haul, but you will need to make sure that your towing vehicle is fully capable of pulling the weight of your caravan and that you are following the rules.
There is also a variance in how much you should tow depending on your driving experience:
| Max recommended towing weight by driver experience (as % of your car's curb weight) | |
|---|---|
| Novice caravan towers | up to 85% |
| Seasoned caravan towers | up to 90% |
| Fully experienced caravan transporters | up to 95% |
If you own a static caravan you'll need a specialist company to move it for you.
Do I need a Special License to Tow a Caravan?
There is not usually a special towing license required in the UK but again, depending on weight, there are some restrictions.
If you have a full UK driving licence, the rules for towing are now much simpler than in previous years. Since the law changed in late 2021, all drivers who passed their car test (Category B) after 1 January 1997 are now legally allowed to tow trailers with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of up to 3,500kg. You no longer need to take a separate 'B+E' car and trailer test. The DVLA has automatically updated driving records to show the 'BE' entitlement, so you can legally tow a car and caravan combination up to a total weight (MAM) of 7,000kg, provided your vehicle is safely rated to pull that weight.
License holders that passed their test before 1997 are allowed to drive a trailer and vehicle with a maximum combined weight of 8.25 tonnes.
| Licence Type | When you passed your car test | What you can tow (MAM) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Category B | On or after 1 Jan 1997 | You can tow a trailer/caravan up to 3,500kg. Your car's MAM plus the caravan's MAM can total up to 7,000kg. |
| Standard Category B | Before 1 Jan 1997 | You are usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. |
| BE Entitlement | Any date | Now automatically included on all full UK car licences; allows towing up to 3,500kg. |
What else should I consider?
Make sure that the overall length and width of your towing vehicle and caravan combination does not exceed the legal limits.
In addition to making sure that you are road legal and safe to tow your caravan there are also limits placed on the overall dimensions of your combination. By law, the maximum width of the caravan should not exceed 2.55 metres and the overall length of the car and caravan should be no more than 7 meters in total.
| Maximum legal caravan + car dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Max width | 2.55 metres |
| Max length | 7 metres |
For safe operation and towing of your caravan, you will need a tow bar or ‘hitch’. There are 3 or 4 different types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages so make sure that you are getting the one to suit your needs. If the caravan manufacturer recommends a specific type then it is best to heed their advice and fit the recommended model to be as safe as possible.
Finally, be sure that you have the right caravan insurance in place to protect your investment against damage or theft. Caravan insurance will cost around £150 to protect a caravan worth around £9,000.