The rules on what you can tow are dissimilar depending on when you passed your driving test.
Checks before you lot tow
Comport out the basic prophylactic checks shown in this video to make sure that your vehicle and trailer are safe and legal.
Towing a trailer with a car: basic safety checks
You tin exist fined upward to £2,500, be banned from driving, and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a unsafe condition.
Tow ball and connections
Cheque that:
- the trailer is correctly coupled to the towball or pin - follow the manufacturer'south advice
- the coupling acme is correct
- the vii or 13 cadre cable and plug is not damaged
Breakaway cable
Use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling. This engages the trailer's brakes (if fitted) or stops the trailer if it becomes detached from the machine.
Check that:
- the cablevision is not worn or damaged
- there's enough slack in the cablevision so that information technology does not accidentally employ the brakes
- the cable will non drag on the ground when you're driving
Follow the manufacturer's advice to make sure it'due south connected correctly.
Wheels and tyres
Check that the tyres on both the car and trailer:
- do not have any cuts or bulges
- are inflated to the manufacturer's specification for the load existence carried
Check that each tyre has a tread depth of at least one.6mm:
- beyond the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread
- around the entire circumference of the tyre
Bank check that the wheel nuts and bolts are tightened to the right torque.
Cheque that mudguards are fitted to the trailer and they're secure.
Lights and indicators
Bank check that there's no damage to the lights, and that they're all working correctly.
Load and weight limit
Check that:
- the trailer is not overloaded
- the load is distributed evenly
- the load is secure
Discover your car's weight limit
The vehicle manufacturer's plate gives information nearly weight limits for your automobile. Cheque the motorcar'due south handbook if a plate is not fitted.
An example of a vehicle manufacturer'southward plate.
| Weight | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight 1 | Maximum weight of the car on its ain |
| Weight 2 | Maximum weight of the car and trailer combined |
| Weight 3 | Maximum weight for the forepart axle of the car |
| Weight 4 | Maximum weight for the rear axle of the auto |
The maximum weight includes passengers, other loads, and fuel.
Trailer with no braking arrangement
The loaded trailer:
- must not weigh over 750kg
- should not weigh more 50% of your car's weight
Trailer with braking arrangement
The auto and loaded trailer must not weigh over the second weight shown on the car manufacturer's plates.
When y'all're driving
You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road you lot're on.
If the trailer starts to ophidian or swerve, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gently. It's a sign that either:
- yous're going too fast
- the trailer is loaded incorrectly
Do non brake harshly on a bend, as it makes the trailer unstable. Reduce your speed in plenty of time when approaching any chance.
Motorways
You must non drive in the right-paw lane of a freeway with 3 or more lanes.
Get a free safety check
Y'all can get a free safe check for a trailer up to three,500kg through the National Trailer and Towing Clan's (NTTA) gratuitous safe checks scheme.
The check will highlight issues that you need to address.
More information
The NTTA guide to safe and legal towing gives detailed data about:
- attaching the trailer to the vehicle
- driving with a trailer
- maintaining a trailer
You tin can likewise society 'Trailer towing guidance and the police' from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The Camping and Caravanning Gild has a basic guide on how to tow a caravan.
Published 26 Nov 2016
Terminal updated 30 December 2019 + show all updates
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Updated the video on how to acquit out basic safe checks.
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Added information about getting a gratuitous trailer safe bank check through the National Trailer and Towing Association's free rubber cheque scheme.
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First published.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-a-trailer-with-a-car-safety-checks
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