This caravan towing guide brings all the towing advice on Caravan Adventuring together in a simple order. It covers the rules, the weights, the road and the pitch. So whether you’re new or a bit rusty, start here.
Towing is the part of touring that worries people most. However, it soon becomes second nature. Most of it comes down to three things. You need the right weights, a careful check before you go and a steady pace.
First, check what your licence allows. GOV.UK explains the rules on towing with a car, including weight limits. Then work through the sections below in order.
Every towing guide here is checked by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) from Herts Driver Training. The instructor is also fleet registered, so safety comes first in every recommendation.
New to touring as well? The New to Caravanning page covers the rest of the basics.
Each step links to a fuller guide. Work through them in order, or jump to the part you need.
Start with the numbers. Your car, caravan and licence all set limits, and the lowest one wins. So check them before you buy a caravan, not after.
You’ll find the weights on your car’s V5C, in the handbook and on the caravan’s plate. Write them down once, and you’ll always have them to hand.
How you load matters as much as what you load. Heavy items go low and over the axle. Then check the nose weight before you hitch up.
Next, make sure the hitch has locked properly and the breakaway cable is on. Finally, check your lights with a helper before you pull away.
Take it slowly, especially at first. Leave more space, brake earlier and plan your route. Also, know what to do if the caravan starts to sway.
Remember, everything takes longer with a caravan behind you. That includes stopping, overtaking and pulling out at junctions.
Tyres are easy to forget. Yet they age even when the caravan barely moves. So check pressures and dates before every trip.
In addition, look for cracks and bulges in the sidewalls. If in doubt, ask a tyre specialist before you tow.
Reversing onto a pitch is where nerves show. Practise somewhere quiet first. Alternatively, a motor mover takes the stress out of it.
Above all, take your time. Nobody minds waiting a minute while you get it right, and most tourers are happy to help.
Driving abroad brings new rules, signs and tolls. Read up on each country before you go. Then you won’t be caught out at a toll booth or city zone.
Also, remember that speed limits for towing differ from country to country. The country guides explain the main rules for each one.
Towing limits are lower than normal car limits. According to GOV.UK speed limits, a car towing a caravan can do:
Also, you can’t use the outside lane of a motorway with three or more lanes, unless other lanes are closed. Of course, these are limits, not targets. So drive to the conditions, especially in wind or rain.
Run through this list each time you hitch up. It only takes a few minutes.
For the full version, see the safety checks before every trip.
Usually, yes. Did you pass your test from 1 January 1997? Then you can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass. If you passed before then, you can usually drive a car and trailer up to 8,250 kg combined. However, always check your own licence. GOV.UK explains it in its towing with a car guide, and there’s more on what licence you need.
It’s a common piece of advice, not a law. It suggests your loaded caravan weighs no more than 85% of your car’s kerbweight. This matters most when you’re new to towing. As a result, the car stays firmly in charge of the caravan. The guide to matching a caravan to a tow car explains it in more detail.
Almost certainly. Most caravans are wider than the car towing them, so normal mirrors won’t show you what’s behind. Extension mirrors fix that. The towing mirrors guide shows the main types.
For most new tourers, yes. A few hours with a trainer builds confidence quickly, especially for reversing and manoeuvring. GOV.UK lists ways to find a trainer in the same towing guide linked above.
Stay calm. Ease off the accelerator gently, and hold the steering wheel steady. Don’t brake hard or try to steer out of it, unless you must. Then, once it settles, find out why it happened. The guide on how to stop snaking explains the usual causes.
Yes, many UK tourers do. However, the rules, documents and speed limits change from country to country. So read the documents checklist for European travel first, then the guide for each country you’ll drive through.
This guide focuses on towing a caravan. However, some motorhome owners tow a small car or a trailer. If that’s you, the rules depend on your vehicle’s weight and your licence. So check GOV.UK’s licence guidance and your vehicle’s handbook before you set off.
Not sure about a weight, a hitch or a rule? Then ask Ellie. She can answer everyday towing questions and point you to the right guide.
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