Am I allowed to tow a caravan?

pstuart

99% of rigs that you see on the road are less than 3500kg.

Unless you are going to pull a very large twin axle with a huge 4x4 you are OK.

Hammyman

pstuart wrote: »

99% of rigs that you see on the road are less than 3500kg.

However many of the laden caravans are weighing more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, are exceeding the manufacturers gross train weight and are overloaded on the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

When VOSA do a witch hunt on caravanners with spot roadside inspections they make a fortune due to exceeding weight limits.

LandyAndy

Am I allowed to tow a caravan?

No and neither should anyone else be.

Bloody things blocking up all the roads 'round here all summer.

:rotfl:

Paradigm

Up to now you're all wrong (yep even Hammyman)! There are many variables including when you passed your test!

Seek & you shall find but I'll give you a taster....

If you got your car driving licence before January 1st 1997, you cannot exceed a gross maximum weight of 8.25 tonnes as a combined weight for both the towing vehicle and the trailer. If you got your car driving licence on or after January 1st 1997, you can drive a combined gross maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes.

Hammyman

Paradigm wrote: »

Up to now you're all wrong (yep even Hammyman)! There are many variables including when you passed your test!

Seek & you shall find but I'll give you a taster....

No I'm not wrong. I've had to put up with meeting GVW, Train Weights and Axle weights for massively different combinations of vehicle length, type and load for the last 20 years.

Perhaps you'd care to point out where I am?

And pre-1997 you can drive up to a 7.5t vehicle and at that, pull a 750kg trailer hence 8.25t GTW.

pstuart

Hammyman wrote: »

However many of the laden caravans are weighing more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, are exceeding the manufacturers gross train weight and are overloaded on the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

When VOSA do a witch hunt on caravanners with spot roadside inspections they make a fortune due to exceeding weight limits.

Google Whattowcar and enter in your car and van details.

Car unladen weight?

Paradigm

Hammyman wrote: »

No I'm not wrong. I've had to put up with meeting GVW, Train Weights and Axle weights for massively different combinations of vehicle length, type and load for the last 20 years.

You could have worked out the weight of the moon with an abacus for all I care, you're still wrong.

Hammyman wrote: »

Perhaps you'd care to point out where I am?

Have a looksee, shouldn't take you long!

Hammyman wrote: »

And pre-1997 you can drive up to a 7.5t vehicle and at that, pull a 750kg trailer hence 8.25t GTW.

Correct! Or, a Range Rover (2570kg) with a maximum plated towing weight of 3500kg. Working on the 85% guideline this equals 2570 + 2165 trailer = 4735kg or close to 5 tonnes

marlot

The best explanation I've found (as a nice, easy to read flowchart) is here:

http://www.iwt.co.uk/customer-care/faq-categories/1358/1761

mrbadexample

Up to now, no-one has correctly answered the OP.

The OP's question cannot be answered with accuracy until we know exactly what entitlement they currently hold. Until then, it's all just guesswork.

pstuart

louisaL wrote: »

Hi Please could someone confirm my understanding of towing a caravan after 1997, thank you

i am allowed to tow a caravan as long as my car (with me, passengers and luggage), and a ladened caravan doesnt exceed 3,500kg?

Yes you are allowed.

Is that simple enough for everyone.

If confused go to the Caravan Club etc. websites and disregard 'opinions'.

Again - also see What Tow Car.