Caravanning is not only a Great British pastime, but the perfect way to enjoy a mini-break that doesn’t break the bank.
Before you buy a caravan or plan a holiday, however, there are certain things you must know about actually towing a caravan.
Do we cover caravans for breakdown cover?
If your vehicle breaks down and you are towing a caravan or trailer, we will recover your vehicle and the caravan or trailer. The Caravan or Trailer must not be greater than 3.5T in weight, 7 meters in length and 2.44 meters wide. Please note we are only able to provide assistance if the vehicle that is towing the caravan or trailer has broken down and not if the cause of the breakdown is the caravan or trailer.
Please note: The measurements are excluding the draw bar and coupling
Can my car tow a caravan?
From late 2021, all drivers are allowed to tow trailers with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3,500kg without the need to take a car and trailer driving test.
Drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 are allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.
Do I need a caravan driving course?
Many people, if not confident can book a course to be taught to tow a caravan or trailer, this will include hitching up, towing and the all important reversing. You do not need a specific license, but its better to be confident and have some experience first before setting off on an adventure. Maybe try a local pitch within 30 miles or so first to get some experience under your belt, travelling 200 or 300 miles on your first trip is probably not advised.
Personally, I was lucky my uncle is a HGV driver and took me out, showing me how to load a caravan, hitch and park. An invaluable afternoon that kept me in good stead. Its worth booking a course or asking family or friend if they have experience.
Breakdown insurance
Our National and Home Policy is 5 Star Defaqto Rated. Cover yourself, or your vehicle for 24/7 protection, including your caravan from as little as £18.86 a year.
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Towing capacity
The maximum weight your car can tow (fully loaded car + fully loaded caravan/trailer) is usually listed in your drivers handbook.
Width and length rules
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500 kilograms.
Unless you’re very experienced and confident, experts recommend that the weight of the loaded caravan shouldn’t be more than 85% of your car’s Kerb Weight.
With so much space available it’s all too easy to overload – try to keep the caravan as light as possible with the heavier items low down and close to the axle. Kerb weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include the weight of any passengers, cargo, or optional equipment. Kerb weight is considered the closest weight to the actual weight of the vehicle.
Stabilisers, snaking and pitching, what does it mean?
The word ‘snake’ can seem scary, but with a little care before your journey – and an awareness of what to do if a snake occurs, you will be fine taking to the road.
What is Snaking when towing a caravan?
Snaking is when the lateral swaying of the caravan behind a car becomes excessive. In extreme cases, the caravan swings ever more violently from side to side, eventually pulling at the back of the car with it so the driver loses control.
What is pitching when towing a caravan?
‘Pitching’ describes vertical instability – when the caravan’s front end moves up and down, pulling the rear of the car up and down in a seesaw motion.
The best way to avoid snaking and pitching is to have a well-matched car and caravan and to load your unit carefully.
Stabilisers for caravan or trailer
Electronic and friction stabilisers are fitted to many caravans, which can reduce these problems in a well-matched outfit, but will not rectify an inherently unstable combination.
But even with all these precautions, you might find the back of your car being pulled by your caravan because of the air turbulence caused by a passing lorry, coach or a crosswind.
What to do if your caravan snakes or pitches.
If the caravan does start snaking or pitching, take both feet off the pedals to bring down your speed using your car’s engine braking. Avoid the instinct to brake, but keep steering in a straight line. Trying to steer out of the sway by compensating can make the problem worse.
Breakdown Insurance
If you’re planning on driving your caravan in Europe CoverMy have European Breakdown Cover. Make sure you have this in place as our standard cover does not work outside the UK.
Breakdown insurance
Our National and Home Policy is 5 Star Defaqto Rated. Cover yourself, or your vehicle for 24/7 protection, including your caravan from as little as £18.86 a year.
Read More
Tips for towing a caravan
- Tow bars must be ‘type approved’. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car. This doesn’t apply to cars first used before 1 August 1998.
- Make sure your car is big enough and has enough power to tow your caravan (check the owners manual)
- When you’re towing, you’ll need to give yourself more time and space for everything. Look well ahead so you can predict the movement of other vehicles, brake earlier than normal and you’ll probably accelerate more slowly with a caravan on the back
- Give more room turning corners, you will need to go wider than normal
- Always Check your car and caravan's tyres and air pressure before setting out on a trip.
- Never exceed 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways.
- Be aware of large vehicles when overtaking on motorways and approaching on single carriageways as it will create air and movement of the caravan
- Your number plate must show your car’s registration number and be illuminated at night.
- Check all lights and indicators are working before setting off
- It is a legal requirement to always have a good view to the rear of your unit, which will mean using extension mirrors in the vast majority of combinations. And don’t forget to take them off when you’re not towing.
- Try to keep the caravan as light as possible with the heavier items low down and close to the axle. Read our caravan packing tips.
- It is very important to balance the load in the caravan, too close to the front will cause addition weight on the car, too close to the rear of the caravan will cause an unbalanced load, keep the caravan as light as possible and the heavier items low down and over the axle if possible
- Make sure you are using a stabiliser to prevent snaking
- Make sure all items within the caravan and put away and not loose as they will fall (lets not make an episode of top gear…!)
Breakdown insurance
Our National and Home Policy is 5 Star Defaqto Rated. Cover yourself, or your vehicle for 24/7 protection, including your caravan from as little as £18.86 a year.
Read More