Can I tow a caravan?

Towmatch

Welcome to Towmatch!

Enter your registration number, or your make and model, to see a comprehensive list of caravans that your car can safely tow.

Towmatch, a completely free service from Out & About Live, enables you to take your first steps to owning your dream caravan. Towing a caravan is a stress-free experience once you've used Towmatch to find which models your car is suited to tow.

Use Towmatch today to start your caravan journey, then explore the latest caravan news, reviews and inspiration on Out & About Live!

Caravans your car can safely tow:

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New to caravan towing?

Understanding which caravans your car can safely tow is essential to enjoying a stress-free tour or holiday. Think of it like shopping for shoes - you'd only look in your specific size, or risk discomfort and injury.

If you're an inexperienced tower, you need to know your caravan's MTPLM (maximum technically permissible laden mass), which is the maximum weight of your caravan with everything inside. For beginners, your caravan’s MTPLM should be no more than 85% of your car's kerbweight.

For seasoned tourers, the MTPLM of your caravan should never exceed the kerbweight of your towcar.

We've got plenty of towing advice available for free on Out & About Live, including a guide to towbars and a full explanation of caravan weights and payloads.

Check out our YouTube channel for towing inspiration, including our review of an iconic caravan and towcar combination worth £250,000!

FAQs

Can I tow a caravan?

This depends on the car and caravan in question, as well as your confidence in towing, which is why it's advisable to use our Towmatch service to get an accurate and comprehensive report on which caravans your car can tow.
Are you an inexperienced caravanner? If so, both UK caravanning clubs and the National Caravan Council recommend that your caravan’s MTPLM, or maximum technically permissible laden mass, should not exceed 85% of your car’s kerbweight.
Are you an experienced caravanner? If so, the National Caravan Council suggests that people with extensive towing experience may tow up to 100% of the car’s kerbweight.
It’s worth noting that the above recommendations are a guide, not law, although the figures are based on experience and research. Your car’s maximum towing weight may be higher or lower than 85% or 100% of its kerbweight, so always check before towing. This figure can often be found on your V5 document.
Can I tow a caravan on my licence?

Yes, you can. A standard car ‘B licence’ granted after 1st January 1997 traditionally meant that the maximum combined weight of the car and caravan could not exceed 3500kg, but this changed in 2021. B licences were automatically granted BE status, which allows the holder to tow a caravan that weighs a maximum of 3,500kg, providing the tow vehicle is legally capable of doing so. To check if BE status has been applied to your B licence, click here.
What is the speed limit for a car towing a caravan?

The speed limit when towing a caravan on a motorway or dual carriageway is 60mph, while the speed limit on a single carriageway is 50mph.
Do I need towing mirrors to tow my caravan?

If your caravan is wider than the rear of your towcar (which it will be in the vast majority of cases) then fitting towing mirrors is a legal requirement.
Not only do towing mirrors make towing far easier and safer, getting caught without them risks a three-point-penalty on your licence and a fine of up to £1,000.
Pick up your towing mirrors from the Out & About Shop!
Can an electric car tow a caravan?

The short answer is 'yes', and electric cars are becoming more popular with caravan owners. If you own an electric car, discover which caravans you can tow safely using our free Towmatch service above!