Towing Guide 2024

The towing capacity is the maximum weight that a vehicle can safely tow. It is usually determined by the vehicle's engine power, transmission, brakes, frame strength, and suspension. Manufacturers usually specify the towing capacity, and it can vary significantly among different vehicles. 

It's important to be aware of your vehicle’s towing capacity before towing any type of load, as surpassing this limit can put you and others on the road at risk of accidents, vehicle damage, and even legal penalties.

Towing capacity varies depending on the vehicle you have and its power, frame strength etc. The towing capacity is usually specified by the manufacturer, and you can typically find the towing capacity of your car in the owner's manual. Before choosing your new vehicle, you can search for this information online using its make, model, and year. Many car manufacturers provide this information on their websites.

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) is the maximum permitted weight of a vehicle or trailer, including its own weight and the maximum load it's allowed to carry, as specified by the manufacturer. It's also known as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or Gross Trailer Weight (GTW).

The MAM or GVW is an important consideration when towing a trailer, as it determines the maximum weight of the trailer you're legally allowed to tow with your vehicle. If you exceed the MAM or GVW, you risk overloading your vehicle or trailer, which can be dangerous and illegal.

The rules regarding towing a trailer on your license vary depending on your location and the type of vehicle you hold a license for. It's important to check the laws and regulations in your area and make sure that you have the appropriate license and equipment before towing any load.

In the UK, a full driving licence is required to tow a trailer, horsebox, caravan or boat behind your car. As of December 16, 2021, anyone with a full driver’s licence is now permitted to tow a trailer or caravan up to a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg.

Drivers who passed their driving test before January 1, 1997, have always been permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined maximum weight of 8,250kg. However, if your driving test was completed on or after January 1, 1997, an additional driving test would be required to tow heavier caravans or trailers.

Whether or not you require training before towing depends on several factors, including your driving experience, the size of the vehicle you will be towing with, the weight of the trailer or caravan you will be towing, and the laws and regulations in your area.

If you are an experienced driver and have towed before, you may not require any additional training. However, if you are new to towing or feel unsure about your skills, it's a good idea to seek out training to ensure that you are towing safely and correctly.

Although it may not be mandatory by law to undergo training, it's highly recommended to familiarize yourself with best practices for towing. This includes how to correctly load and secure your trailer, and how to adjust your driving style when towing. This can help make sure that you and your passengers stay safe while on the road and can also help prevent damage to your vehicle or trailer.

Certainly, it is possible to tow using an automatic car. In fact, numerous modern automatic cars are specifically designed to tow and may even have advanced towing features built-in, such as a trailer sway control system. Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge that not all automatic cars are suitable for towing. The vehicle's towing capacity, as well as the weight and type of load being towed, should be taken into consideration before attempting to tow with any vehicle.

Typically, the speed limit for vehicles that are towing a trailer or caravan is lower compared to other vehicles in most countries. In the UK, if you're towing a trailer or caravan, the speed limit on motorways or dual carriageways is 60mph, while on single carriageways, the speed limit is further reduced to 50mph.

Braked towing weight refers to the maximum weight a vehicle is legally allowed to tow when the trailer or caravan being towed has its own braking system. The braked towing weight limit takes into consideration the vehicle's engine power, transmission, brakes, suspension, and other factors, to determine the maximum weight that the vehicle can safely tow while the trailer has its own brakes to assist with stopping.

In most cases, the braked towing weight limit is higher than the unbraked towing weight limit. This is because the trailer's brakes can help reduce the strain on the vehicle's braking system and improve overall safety. It's essential to know the braked towing weight limit of your vehicle before towing any load.