How do I know if my car is powerful enough to tow a Caravan?

Caravan holidays offer the freedom to explore the British countryside and coast at your own pace - but before you hitch up and head out, there’s a fundamental question you need an answer to: “Is my car powerful enough to tow a caravan?” 

Making sure your vehicle is suitable to tow a caravan is not just about convenience, it’s also a critical aspect of safe and legal travel. Whether you're a seasoned caravanner or new to the lifestyle, understanding your car’s towing capabilities is essential. In this helpful edition of our regular blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, including kerb weight, towing capacity and legal requirements.

Towing basics

Before diving into figures and specs, there are a few essential terms to define.

• Kerb weight: This refers to the weight of your car when it's not loaded with passengers or luggage, but with all fluids (oil, coolant, a full tank of fuel) included. You can usually find this figure in your vehicle’s handbook or manufacturer’s specification sheet.

• Maximum towing capacity: This is the maximum weight your car can legally and safely tow. It’s crucial that you never exceed this limit, as doing so can lead to instability and mechanical strain as well as invalidating your insurance. 

• Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass: Most often referred to as the MTPLM, this refers to the maximum weight your caravan can be when fully loaded. It includes everything inside: water, gas bottles, clothing, food, etc. To safely tow, your car’s maximum braked towing capacity should always exceed the MTPLM of the caravan.

Your vehicle's towing capacity

You’ll need to know your car’s official towing capacity to assess what it can manage. 

• Vehicle manual: Most car manuals or handbooks provide kerb weight and towing capacity. It will usually be listed as ‘braked’ and ‘unbraked’ towing capacity. For caravans, you will be looking at the ‘braked’ figure.

• VIN plate (Vehicle Identification Number): Located in the engine bay or door frame, the VINM plate displays Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Gross Train Weight (GTW). Subtracting the GVW from the GTW gives you your maximum towing weight.

• Online databases: Use websites such as towcar.info for quick vehicle-to-caravan matching.

The 85% rule

A commonly accepted rule of thumb for caravan beginners is the 85% rule, which is recommended by the Caravan & Motorhome Club. This guideline suggests that the weight of your fully-loaded caravan should not exceed 85% of your car’s kerb weight. This rule aims to ensure a stable and manageable towing experience. While more experienced drivers may tow up to 100% of their kerb weight (within legal and mechanical limits), sticking to 85% offers a comfortable margin of safety.

Legal requirements and restrictions

There are strict rules around towing a caravan, in the UK.

• Driving licence: If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you were historically limited to towing combinations of up to 3,500kg. However, changes to UK law in December 2021 now allow most standard licence holders to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass), depending on your vehicle’s capability.

• Towing mirrors: If your caravan obscures your rear view, you must fit extended towing mirrors. Failing to do so could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points.

• Number plate and lights: You must display a matching number plate on the caravan and ensure the rear lights are fully functional.

Power and torque 

Even if your car’s towing figures meet the requirements, it doesn’t guarantee a smooth experience. Towing a caravan puts extra strain on the engine, brakes and transmission, particularly if you’re travelling on hills and motorways.

• Engine size and torque: Generally speaking, cars with larger engines (1.8L and above) and higher torque perform better when towing. Diesel engines are often preferred due to their superior torque at lower RPMs, which helps maintain stability and fuel efficiency.

• Gear ratios and transmission: Automatic transmissions are often more comfortable for towing, as they reduce clutch wear and allow for smoother gear changes. However, manual cars are equally capable when driven correctly.

Towbar and equipment

• Approved towbar: You should always use a type-approved towbar installed by a qualified technician. The towbar must match your vehicle’s specifications and it must be securely fitted.

• Caravan braking system: Caravans over 750kg MTPLM must be fitted with their own braking system, which activates in tandem with your car’s brakes via a breakaway cable (a legal requirement in the UK).

Tips for safe and confident towing

• Distribute weight evenly: Load heavy items as low as possible, and over the caravan’s axle. Avoid overloading the rear.

• Check tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres can cause sway. Check the tyre pressure on both your car and your caravan.

• Practice manoeuvres: Try towing your caravan in a quiet area before setting off on longer journeys.

• Use stabiliser hitches: Using stabiliser hitches reduces sway and improves handling, especially at higher speeds.

• Slow down: When towing, your speed limit is 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways (and 50mph on single carriageways).

Choosing the right caravan for your car

If you’re in the market for a caravan, the type you choose should depend on your car’s towing abilities. Use online match-up tools or speak with an expert to find the perfect pairing. Visit our caravan towing guide, and contact the Wandahome customer support team for tailored caravan recommendations based on your towing vehicle. Whether you’re browsing new or used caravans, the team is here to help you make the right match. With full MTPLM information included, our website makes it easy to find a caravan suited to your vehicle. You can also check out our comprehensive towing guide for Swift Challenger caravans for specific towing combinations and advice. Explore our current new caravans or consider our hand-picked used caravan listings. Safe towing!