Towing with a car
Towing weight and width limits
Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It鈥檚 usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.
Alternatively the vehicle鈥檚 鈥榞ross train weight鈥� may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver鈥檚 door.
The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.
If your VIN plate does not list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.
Maximum width
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
Maximum length
If your vehicle鈥檚 maximum authorised mass (MAM) is 3,500kg or less, you cannot tow a trailer that鈥檚 longer than 7 metres.
If your vehicle鈥檚 MAM is more than 3,500kg then the maximum lengths are:
- 12 metres for the trailer towed by the vehicle
- 18 metres for the vehicle and trailer combined
- 3.05 metres for how far the load can overhang the back of the trailer (whatever the length of the trailer is)
Maximum lengths do not include the A-frame (the frame that connects your car to the trailer).