Guide to towing capacity

The easiest way to find this out is to look in the manual. The towing capacity will usually be listed as two separate figures in kilograms, for braked and unbraked trailers. If the trailer weighs more than 750 kg or more than half the car’s weight, it must be fitted with brakes of its own. Bear in mind that different versions of the same car may have different towing capacities – a manual Toyota HiLux, for example, can tow 3,500kg braked, while the automatic variant can only handle 3,200kg braked.

Lost the manual? Try the manufacturer’s website, or find the figure on the VIN (vehicle identification number) plate. This is often found on the body of the car near the passenger door frame, though sometimes it’s at the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side.

That depends entirely on how much the caravan weighs. A small caravan might weigh 400kg and could be easily towed with a Fiat Panda, whereas a big caravan weighing in at 2,500kg would be too much even for a Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The weight of a caravan will be in its handbook and is often listed on a plate inside or near the door. Remember, you need to factor in any passengers and luggage when working out the total weight. You can make sure you’re within the weight limit with a trip to your local weighbridge. As a rule of thumb, cars with 2000kg towing capacity will be able to handle a caravan. The BMW 5 Series Touring or the Kia Sorento would be a good choice for towing a caravan, as would the Nissan X-Trail. For those looking for a more premium caravanning experience, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate and Porsche Cayenne diesel will do the job in style.

Take a look at our guide to the best cars for towing caravans on holiday for more inspiration.

Anyone with a driving licence can tow a trailer, but the restrictions are more stringent for people who passed their test after 1 January 1997. If this applies to you, you are permitted to drive a car weighing up to 3,500kg MAM, towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. You are also authorised to tow a trailer over 750kg MAM so long as the combined MAM of the trailer and the towing vehicle doesn’t exceed 3,500kg. The MAM is the limit for how much the vehicle or trailer can weigh when it’s loaded. If you want to tow something heavier, you’ll need to pass the car and trailer driving test, also known as the B+E test.

If you passed your test before 1997, you can tow a vehicle and trailer combination with a gross train weight (the GTW is the vehicle MAM plus trailer MAM) of up to 8,250kg.

Anyone with a driving licence can tow a trailer, but it’s essential to stick within the weight limits that are permitted for your vehicle – and your licence. Do your sums and make sure you’re safe and legal on the road. Take a look at our expert guide on how to tow a caravan for useful tips and advice.