Newbie from the midlands

[sciroccoaustin]

Hi, hello there! I've signed up because I need to look into the legality of towing! I'd like to tow my grandparents caravan but am not sure I can under my current license (passed after 1997). I've towed lighter trailer for best part of 3 years but nothing braked, and nothing where I couldn't see behind it. Any help would be appreciated, but I'll have a search on the forum.

 

[Damian]

Welcome to the forum.
You will find a whole lot of information on towing in the relevant section of the forum, of which I am sure your questions will find answers.
Very basically you wil be limited to a total weight of car and caravan of 3500kg.
The only way to increase the weight limit is to do the trailer test and upgrade your licence to a B+E

 

[Beachball]

Hi sciroccoaustin welcome to the practical caravan forum look forward to your future posts this one is in the wrong section..........

 

[Mel]

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I think Damien has answered your question. Hope you are able to tow, although unless the van is rather light, you probably won't come under the weight limit. Very kind of your grandparents to offer to lend you the van though; or did they know that you wouldn't be able to tow it when they made the offer.

Post more questions if you need to, there are very helpful folks on here.
mel

 

[sciroccoaustin]

Very basically you wil be limited to a total weight of car and caravan of 3500kg.
The only way to increase the weight limit is to do the trailer test and upgrade your licence to a B+E

I thought there was also a restriction that the trailer/carvan etc couldn't be more than 750KG? And that under the standard license you couldn't tow a 'brake assisted' trailer.

 

[Damian]

Confusing isnt it !!!!!!!

The 750kg limit on trailers is standard to pretty much all classes of licence and refers to unbraked trailers, such a the common garden trailer.

Caravans are braked trailers, and the limits are different and depend on your licence entitlement, the car max towload, the van max weight restriction, and lots more.

Still confused,,,,,,,,,Yes me too,,,,,,,,,but eventually it becomes as clear as mud.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Sciroccoaustin, (can we call you Austin?), welcome to the Practical Caravan forum.
You've done exactly the right thing by checking first rather than simply hooking up without and thought for the legalities.
The basic information that you need to start off with is in the Advice section of this website Click Here to have a look.

To put it simply first of all you need to know the maximum kerbweight of your towing vehicle.
When you know what this figure is, find out the maximum authorised mass (the maximum weight including the gas bottles, battery and anything that is inside the caravan) of the caravan. The max. caravan weight must not exceed the max. kerbweight of the car.
Add the two figures together and if the end result is below 3500kg you are ok but check the towing vehicle handbook to find out if there are manufacturers overall towing limits or a maximum towball noseweight for your car.
As for not being able to see behind,
On some caravans it's possible to see through from front to back with the curtains open, otherwise use towing mirrors to give a better view to the rear and exersise care and consideration for other road users whan towing.
I'm sure that you will have a few more questions before you embark on your caravan adventures so don't be shy, ask away and I'm sure that we'll be able to help.
Good luck and if your licence allows you happy caravanning