Caravan Towing Law

[DanPaula]

Hi all.

A friend of mine is thinking of buying a caravan and has held a full uk driving licence for approx 3 years. Is she ok to tow a small caravan without having to take any further tests? The caravan would weigh aroung 1000kg's being towed with a Citroen Picasso. I do know the car/caravan combination is fine.

Many Thanks, Dan.

 

[Lutz]

A summary of legal requirements regarding towing can be found by going to the home page of this website under 'Solving Your Problems - Towing Law'. Further information can be found in the Directgov website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022564

 

[DanPaula]

Thanks for that. From what I can make out it looks like she'll be fine without going over 3.5ton train weight.

 

[andrew1608]

I was of the same situation the max weight combined is 3.5ton

 

[ProfJohnL]

Well done for spotting there may be a problem, but providing the the gross train weight is less than 3.5T and the trailer when loaded is less than the kerb weight of teh towing vehicle, your friend should be ok.

 

[RogerL]

Just a word of caution - this particular legislation uses the plated maximum weights, not the actual laden weights.

For these new drivers, the sum of the car's plated maximum weight plus the caravan's plated maximum weight must be 3500kg or less AND the caravan's plated maximum weight must be less than the car's kerbweight.

Lightly loading the car or caravan won't escape these particular rules.

In practice, this legislation permits the towing of a 1500kg MTPLM caravan by a 1500kg kerbweight car with 2000kg MAW, so it still provides a reasonable choice of caravans.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thanks Roger for the clarification