Trailer & Towing FAQs

I am buying a horse trailer. How can I find out my car’s towing capacity

Every vehicle manufacturer has to give a maximum towing limit. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and also on the chassis plate, usually found under the bonnet.

The information can be presented in a variety of ways. The clearest is when the plate gives the towing limits for both braked and unbraked trailers.

Sometimes the car’s Gross Train Weight (GTW) is given. This is the combination of the car’s Maximum Permitted weight (MPW) sometimes called Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and the trailers Gross Trailer Weight. To get the towing limit simply deduct the MPW from the GTW. It is an offence to exceed the car’s towing limit.

The VIN plate will display either 3 or 4 sets of weights, it is these weights that DVSA or the other vehicle authorities use to determine whether your vehicle is towing or being driven within the law.

The top figure ‘A’ is the gross vehicle weight, the Maximum Allowable Mass (MAM) of the vehicle including occupants, fuel and payload.
The second figure ‘B’ is the gross train weight, this is the combined maximum allowable mass of the vehicle and trailer.
The third and fourth figures ‘C’ and ‘D’ are maximum axle loads front and rear respectively.

The manufacturer’s recommended maximum towing capacity for your vehicle is the gross vehicle weight subtracted from gross train weight. (4200kg – 2505kg = 1695Kg)

Note

Certain performance, hybrid and city-car models or similar variants of standard models are not homologated to tow, this means that the vehicle manufacturer has deemed that the model is unsuitable for use as a tow vehicle. With this type of vehicle, the towing capacity will equate to zero or a gross train weight will not be displayed.

I am confused about my car’s kerb weight as the handbook says that it includes the driver. Is this correct

The usual definition of kerb weight is a vehicle in its ready to use condition with all tools, spare wheel etc. and a full tank of fuel. Many vehicle manufacturers are, however, now following European Directive 95/48/EC which specifies the kerb weight as a car in ready to drive condition with the fuel tank 90% full, a driver on board weighing 68 kg and luggage of 7 kg.

Any extras or accessories fitted after purchase will increase the weight and reduce both payload capacity and hence the towing limit. When looking at a car’s specification in a brochure please check the method of determining the kerb weight.

If it is to the EC Directive you must allow for the weight of any other passengers and luggage and deduct that weight from the towing limit accordingly. This could easily reduce the towing limit by 250-300 kg.

If in doubt please check with the car makers technical department directly. Do not rely on a car dealer’s salesman, as they are often uncertain on towing information.

I have a horse trailer and whilst I can insure my horse I cannot insure the trailer. Can you help?

It has certainly been a problem getting insurance for trailers. The NTTA now have a trailer insurance policy to rectify this situation.

The cost of the annual premium is one of the most completive on the market with the minimum annual premium being only £89.00 including Insurance Premium Tax at 5%.

This is for a comprehensive policy with “new for old” for the first three years for new trailers, European use cover for 30 days and replacement hire.

Furthermore, the annual premium is discounted by 20% if the trailer is protected by a Datatag anti-theft device.

To get cover please visit our Trailer Insurance page. The NTTA website allows you to obtain an instant quotation and arrange immediate cover or if you wish ring on 0845 094 8255 to speak to one of our advisers.

I have a motor home and want to tow a Fiat Seicento behind it using an A-frame. This car has a kerb weight under 750 kg so am I legal with this outfit?

Sorry no is the answer.

The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 – 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small “car”. This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal.

A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car’s brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a “braked trailer” and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way.

The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety.

What unbraked trailer can I tow?

You can tow a maximum of 750 Kg with an unbraked trailer but you cannot exceed half the kerb weight of the towing vehicle.

You can tow a trailer with a Gross Weight higher than your car’s towing limit as long as you only load it up to that limit.

It is illegal to exceed the car’s towing limit.

I have bought a new caravan and when connected to my 1996 car the caravan’s fridge does not work whilst the engine is running. What is wrong?

For 1999 model year caravans there was a change in the wiring and pin 7 on the 12S socket is now an earth return for pin 6 – the power supply for the fridge. Your car wiring will not have pin 7 connected.

You will simply require an earth connected to pin 7. Connect this earth to a separate point on the car from that used for pin 3.

Under no circumstance connect the earth on pin 7 with the earth on pin 3 as you can cause a pin to burn out.

I am told that I can tow 85% of my car’s kerb weight. Surely I can tow up to 100 %?

The 85% figure is a recommendation, not a legal limit, given by all caravan clubs to give good power to weight ratio for successful towing.

You can legally tow up to the car manufacturer’s towing limit. This may be in excess of 100% but only if you passed your car driving test before January 1st 1997.

I own a Ford Ka and want to tow my sailing dinghy but am told that I cannot have a towbar fitted as it would be illegal. Surely not?

All cars sold here from the 1st August 1998 must be European Whole Vehicle Type Approved. The vehicle maker decides when he applies for approval if the car will be allowed to tow and the car has towbar mounting points built in to the chassis.

The Ka does not have towbar mounting points so a towbar cannot be fitted. It would be illegal to fit one.

There are a number of other cars that cannot have towbars fitted so if you intend to tow with a small car ask before buying.