| The law can often seem confusing to those that | | | | weight by 85 and then dividing by 100. |
| are new to caravanning, but, put simply, there are | | | | This rule can only be applied if the maximum |
| two groups of drivers - those that passed their | | | | towing weight for the car is equal to or greater |
| test before the 1st January 1997 and those who | | | | than 85% of the kerb weight (the handbook |
| passed it on or after 1st January 1997. | | | | should be able to provide the maximum towing |
| Those who passed before 1st January 1997 | | | | weight). If it is lower than 85%, then the MTPLM |
| You should already have category B+E on your | | | | of the caravan should not exceed this towing |
| licence. This means that you do not need to take | | | | weight limit. |
| an additional test to tow a caravan assuming the | | | | To make towing safer, it is important to load |
| tow car and caravan combination does not | | | | your caravan correctly so as not to unbalance it. |
| exceed 8,250kg - which should give you plenty of | | | | Resist the temptation to pack everything into the |
| scope to choose a tow car and caravan! | | | | front locker alongside your gas bottles and spare |
| Those who passed on or after 1st January 1997 | | | | wheel as you could easily exceed the nose weight |
| If you passed your driving test more recently, | | | | of your caravan and tow vehicle (the maximum |
| you are only entitled to drive a vehicle up to | | | | weight the tow bar can take). |
| 3,500kg and tow a caravan or trailer tent no | | | | Exceeding the nose weight of your car and |
| more than 750kg under category B+B1. | | | | caravan will make towing dangerous. |
| A smaller tow car means you can tow a heavier | | | | Only items that are lightweight can be packed at |
| caravan providing the total weight of the | | | | head height in the caravan's fitted cupboards. |
| combination does not exceed 3,500kg. It is also a | | | | Items of medium weight (such as empty |
| legal requirement for the Maximum Authorised | | | | aquarolls) should be placed at floor level at the |
| Mass (MAM) of the caravan or trailer tent not to | | | | front and back of the caravan to balance out the |
| exceed the unladen weight of your towing vehicle. | | | | heavy items placed over the axle. |
| The manufacturer's handbook should be able to | | | | Place heavy items, such as awnings, at floor level |
| tell you the unladen weight of your towing vehicle. | | | | and as close to the caravan's axles as possible. |
| Should you wish to tow anything larger than this, | | | | Placing heavy items at the back of the caravan |
| you will be required by law to take an additional | | | | will unbalance it and cause a pendulum effect |
| test to add category B+E to your licence. | | | | when towing. |
| With the above information in mind, it's now time | | | | Some new caravans come fitted with towing |
| to match your tow car with your caravan. For | | | | stability systems such as AL-KO's ATC. These |
| those new to caravanning and towing in general, | | | | can prove invaluable in preventing your caravan |
| it's best to go for the lightest option and not | | | | from snaking and causing an accident. They can |
| attempt to go for the heaviest possible caravan | | | | also mean you qualify for a discount off your |
| for your car. | | | | caravan insurance! |
| It is advised that the Maximum Technically | | | | It's always beneficial for new caravanners to |
| Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) of the caravan | | | | attend towing courses where they can receive |
| should not exceed 85% of the kerb weight of | | | | expert tuition on driving and manoeuvring and ask |
| your tow car. Using your owner's handbook for | | | | advice from the experts. It could make the first |
| your car to find the kerb weight, you can | | | | outing that bit less stressful and avoid potential |
| calculate the MTPLM by multiplying the kerb | | | | caravan insurance claims! |