Caravan towing laws

Is it illegal to tow a caravan? What is the maximum towing distance for a caravan? How much can a car tow? The laws around towing a caravan.

Most things that involve the law are complicate and the rules on towing a caravan are no exception. The first thing to appreciate is that the rules on towing a caravan vary depending on when you passed your driving test.

The good news is that older drivers – who often passed several decades ago – are at an advantage. If your trailer or caravan weighs over 750kgs when loade the law states a braking system must be fitte and be in good working order. This also applies to a car towed on an A-frame – the law.

No, passengers aren’t allowed to ride in a caravan when it’s being towed. This is illegal and is an extremely reckless thing to do, as it could endanger your life and the lives of your passengers and other road users. It’s so vital to ensure that your caravan is stable at all times when it’s being towed. It really depends on when you passed your driving test and the weight of your car, caravan , trailer or motorhome. Where B is any vehicle up to 500kg and the E adds any trailer the vehicle can legally tow.

Outside of built-up areas the maximum speed you can travel at when towing a caravan or trailer on a single carriageway is 50mph, while 60mph is the maximum on a dual carriageway or motorway.

It is illegal to tow a caravan or trailer on the outside lane of a three-or- more lane motorway. Does my home insurance cover my caravan contents? Fit suitable towing mirrors if your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your car.

You can be fined up to £0and get penalty points for towing without proper towing mirrors. This length does not include the A-frame. Use this tool to find out if you’re old enough or have the right kind of licence to tow a trailer from different kinds of vehicle. The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2. This tool assumes that you already have the minimum of a full car.

Other important towing tips: Keep the caravan as light as possible to prevent any damage to your car or the caravan. Never carry passengers in the. Don’t go over 50mph on single carriageways or 60mph on dual carriageways. Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when. The standard driving licence issued to a driver passing his or her test today covers categories B and B1.

This means you can drive a vehicle up to 500kg (B) and tow a trailer up to 750kg behind it. If you have a lighter car, you can then tow a heavier caravan , but the combined weight of the whole outfit cannot be more than 500kg. Mass in Running Order (MRO) is the un-laden weight of the standard specification caravan as it leaves the factory. To be compliant with the law, anyone towing a caravan must be able to see metres behind them and four metres either side of the towed outfit. In order to meet this requirement, almost all vehicles will need additional towing mirrors and could benefit from fitting a camera.

Your ability to legally tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the driving licence you hol while the category entitlement on your driving licence will determine the type of trailer you can tow.

You can also order ‘Trailer towing guidance and the law ’ from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Camping and Caravanning Club has a basic guide on how to tow a caravan. Rear-view extensions mirrors are required by law to be fitted to most cars while towing a caravan.

The improved rear and peripheral vision they provide significantly reduces the risk of accidents. The reality is that the vast majority of caravanners’ towcars will, in the eyes of the law, require two additional towing mirrors (extension mirrors) in order to tow a caravan legally. Like a caravan , a twin axle trailer will be more steady on the road than a single axle version. If you’re going abroa check up on the laws about trailers in any countries you’re planning to visit.

Some coachbuilt motorhomes with an extended chassis might not be suitable for towing. However, if I’m towing our slimline vintage caravan with my Mercedes Vito, I’ll minimise chance conversations with the Highways team by fitting mirrors regardless. If you’re new to towing a caravan, or just want to pick up a few pointers for your next road trip, here are our top tips for driving safely and confidently when you’re out on the roads: Perform all the necessary checks before heading off, including tyres, weight limits, lights and oil.