Car towing weight and width limits

2. Car towing weight and width limits

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

Many people get confused on what they can tow…

And never really know how to work out the correct weights
So easy guide:
GROSS TRAIN WEIGHT – 5000KG (GTW)
GROSS VEHICLE  WEIGHT – 3000KG (GVW)
MAX TOWING CAPACITY – 2000KG
Subtract  from the VIN PLATE Gross Vehicle Weight  from Gross Train Weight
This will be the absolute maximum weight your vehicle and tow…
Please be aware
Towing above this weight will endanger your life and lives of others and can lead to  expensive fines and points added to licence.
GROSS  TRAIN WEIGHT is the total weight figure of the vehicle and trailer added together…

Most cars have a maximum weight of what they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.

Alternatively the vehicle’s gross train weight may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s 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 doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.

 

Width and length

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 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms)

See more: Trailer Laws