Towing a Touring Caravan - Regulations and Requirements

There are a few legal requirements and regulations you must follow in order to tow your Touring Caravan legally and safely on the UK roads.

Driving Licence and related Weight Issues

Drivers of cars towing Touring Caravans must hold a full UK driving licence; a provisional licence is not acceptable. As of 1997 category B vehicles, which covers most cars available to drive with a standard driving licence, can tow a Touring Caravan weighing up 750 KG in Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) and providing that the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle does not exceed 4.25 tonnes. Alternatively if the trailer is over 750 KG but its weight does not exceed the unladen weight of the vehicle towing it, up to a combined weight of 3.5 tonnes, then the combination is acceptable. What this means in practice is that most drivers who possess the category B standard driving licence will be allowed to tow a Touring Caravan provided that the vehicle doing the towing exceeds the weight of the Caravan itself. If anything heavier than the MAM is to be driven then you will be required to take a B+E test if you are a new driver.

Load Distribution, Safe Weight Ratios and Passengers

Choosing the lightest Touring Caravan for your requirements is the best advice to follow, and the lighter the Caravan in relation to the towing vehicle the safer and more stable your towing experience will be. Various Caravanning Clubs recommend that your Caravan towing load should weigh no more than 85% of your towing vehicle's kerbside weight, and that going above this figure could compromise stability on the road. When loading a Touring Caravan also adhere strictly to the manufacturers stated maximum towload, regardless of the percentage weight ratio between your Caravan and towing vehicle. It is illegal to transport passengers in your Touring Caravan on any road in the UK and you will find that your touring caravan insurance will be invalid in such situations, and although pets are permitted it is not a recommended practice.

Load Distribution and Nose Weight

Making sure that the weight of the load in a towed Touring Caravan is distributed safely, with the heaviest items low down and near to the axels and only very light items stored in the higher areas is essential. It is a legal requirement that the Nose Weight of the Caravan is either 4% or around 25kg of the overall load to ensure even towing and to lessen the strain on the towbar connecting your vehicle to your Touring Caravan. Checking your individual manufacturers handbook for the specific amount required in your Touring Caravan is the only accurate way of determining this required amount.

Speed, Road Lights and Extension Towing Mirrors

The Maximum speed at which you can tow your Touring Caravan is 50 MPH on single carriageway roads and 60 MPH on dual carriage ways and motorways. Additionally, vehicles towing Caravans are restricted from driving in the outside lane of a road with three or more carriageways unless other lanes have been closed. Touring Caravans must be fitted with flashing hazard lights at the back, and in the event that these lights fail a buzzing warning must inform the driver of the towing vehicle. Lights on Caravans over 2.1 meters wide must be placed as high as possible on the rear of the Caravan to highlight its width and size to other road users.