Blog, Caravan Advice & Safety

“Can My Car Tow This Caravan?” – How to Check Your Match in 3 Minutes

Posted on by Sara Da Silva
08
Jan

Reading Time: 7 mins | Category: Caravan Advice & Safety

It’s the #1 question we get in the Golden Castle showroom: “I’ve found the perfect caravan, but can my car actually tow it?”

Most people guess, or they trust a vague “towing capacity” they found on a random website. But guessing is dangerous. If you get it wrong, you risk a “snaking” caravan on the motorway, a burnt-out clutch, or a heavy fine from the DVSA.

Here is exactly how to find your own data and calculate your match like a professional.

Step 1: Find Your Car’s “Kerb Weight”

This is the weight of your car with a 90% full tank of fuel and a driver.

  • Where to find it: Don’t look in the handbook (it gives a range). Look at your V5C Logbook (the big red and blue paper document).

  • What to look for: Look at Section G, labelled “Mass in Service.”

Step 2: Find Your Caravan’s “MTPLM”

This is the absolute maximum the caravan is allowed to weigh when fully loaded with your kit, gas bottles, and food.

  • Where to find it: Look for a small plastic or metal “weight plate” on the exterior of the caravan. It is usually right next to the main entrance door (near the bottom) or on the “A-frame” near the hitch.

  • What to look for: It will clearly say MTPLM followed by a weight in kg.

Step 3: The Safety Check (The 85% Rule)

CRITICAL: The 85% Rule is NOT a law. The UK police won’t fine you just for being at 90%, but the Caravan and Motorhome Club strongly advises this ratio for your safety. If the caravan is too heavy compared to the car, it can start to “boss” the car around, leading to dangerous swaying (known as snaking) on the motorway.

THE CALCULATION: (Caravan MTPLM ÷ Car Kerb Weight) x 100 = Your Safety %

See how the numbers work in real life:

    • Car weight: 1500kg

    • Caravan weight: 1650kg

    • The Math: 1650 divided by 1500 = 1.1

    • 1.1 x 100 = 110%

    • Verdict: Dangerous. The caravan is heavier than the car. Do not tow.

      Example 1: A Safe Match (The Golden Match)

      • Car weight: 1800kg

      • Caravan weight: 1450kg

      • The Math: 1450 divided by 1800 = 0.805

      • 0.805 x 100 = 80.5%

      • Verdict: Safe. The car is much heavier than the caravan.

Where do you sit?

  • 🟢 UNDER 85% – THE GOLDEN MATCH: Perfect. This is the safest way to tow. The car has total control.

  • 🟡 85% TO 100% – THE EXPERIENCED ZONE: Legal, but proceed with caution. We only recommend this for experienced drivers.

  • 🔴 OVER 100% – THE DANGER ZONE: DO NOT TOW. Even if you are a “pro,” this setup is a recipe for disaster.

Step 4: The Legal “Hard Limit” (The VIN Plate)

Even if you pass the 85% safety rule, you must check the legal towing limit set by the car manufacturer.

  • Where to find it: Open your driver’s door and look for a black sticker or metal plate on the door pillar.

  • The “Line 2” Rule: You will see four weights. Look at the second number down. This is your Gross Train Weight (GTW).

  • The Law: The total weight of your car + your caravan + all your passengers and luggage must not exceed this number. If it does, you are illegal, your insurance is void, and you face 3 points on your licence.

Step 5: Don’t Forget the “Noseweight”

The noseweight is how much weight the caravan hitch presses down on your car’s towball.

  • Where to find it: Check the “Towing” section of your car manual. Most UK cars are between 75kg and 100kg.

  • Why it matters: If you put too much weight in the front of the caravan, you’ll push the back of the car down, making the steering light and dangerous.

The Golden Castle “No-Guesswork” Promise

We know this is a lot of numbers to juggle. That is why we are here.

If you are looking at one of our New 2026 Coachman or Swift models or a Quality Used Caravan, just bring your car’s registration number to the showroom. We use professional industry databases to perform a formal weight-match check for you on the spot.

Visit us at Tewkesbury Rd, Twigworth, Gloucester, GL2 9PX, and let’s get you on the road safely.

Sara Da Silva