Towing trailers or caravans requires extra care and preparation. Ensure your vehicle is rated for the load, check that your trailer is securely attached, and always use the correct mirrors. Drive smoothly, allowing more distance for braking and wider turns. At Motor Bridge, we advise practising safe towing techniques and regularly inspecting your equipment to keep journeys safe and stress-free for everyone on the road.
Smarter Motoring Starts with Safer Towing
Towing a trailer or caravan offers freedom and flexibility on the road — whether you’re transporting equipment or heading off on a holiday. But it also comes with added responsibility. From weight limits to safety checks, understanding the rules and best practices of towing is essential for your safety and the safety of others.
At Motor Bridge, we promote smarter motoring by helping drivers tow with confidence, care and legal awareness.
According to National Highways, over 4,000 breakdowns each year in the UK involve trailers or caravans, often due to poor maintenance or incorrect loading. These incidents can be dangerous and highly disruptive — and most are avoidable with the right preparation.
Whether you’re towing a small trailer or a full-size caravan, the following safety checks and steps are essential before every journey:
Ensure your vehicle is legally and mechanically capable of towing the weight.
Check the Gross Train Weight (GTW) on your vehicle’s VIN plate and compare it with your trailer or caravan’s weight.
Distribute weight evenly — about 60% of the load should be in front of the axle.
Avoid overloading — this can lead to instability, tyre blowouts or braking issues.
Check that the trailer is correctly attached to the towbar and locked in place.
Ensure the breakaway cable or safety chain is connected and in good condition.
All trailer or caravan lights must be fully functional.
Confirm brake lights, indicators, side lights, and reflectors are clean and visible.
Check tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition for both the trailer and the towing vehicle.
Caravan tyres should be replaced every 5-7 years, regardless of tread wear.
Fit towing mirrors if the trailer or caravan is wider than your vehicle.
It’s a legal requirement to have a clear view down both sides and behind the trailer at all times.
✅ Allow more space for braking and acceleration
✅ Take wider turns to avoid clipping kerbs or obstacles
✅ Reduce speed on downhill slopes
✅ Avoid sudden manoeuvres — steer smoothly and anticipate hazards
✅ Stick to towing speed limits:
60mph on motorways and dual carriageways
50mph on single carriageways
Ensure your driving licence covers the type of towing you plan to do. (Most drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 have different entitlements than those who passed after.)
The trailer or caravan must be roadworthy, taxed (if applicable), and insured.
If towing commercially, further regulations may apply, including tachograph and operator licence rules.
Smarter motoring means making informed, thoughtful decisions — and nowhere is that more important than when towing. By performing thorough checks, staying within legal limits, and driving cautiously, you’re helping make UK roads safer for everyone.
✅ Towbar and coupling secure
✅ Breakaway cable attached
✅ Lights and brakes tested
✅ Load evenly distributed
✅ Tyres safe and inflated
✅ Mirrors fitted and adjusted
✅ Licence and insurance valid
At Motor Bridge, we’re here to support safer journeys — whether you’re commuting, touring, or transporting. The extra time you spend preparing to tow could be what prevents a breakdown or collision later on.
Disclaimer:
While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information we provide, it is intended for general guidance only. We make every effort to keep our content current and correct, but we cannot guarantee that all information is free from errors or omissions. Therefore, we accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, or inconvenience caused as a result of reliance on material found on this platform. Always consult official sources or professional advice where appropriate.
