The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is an excellent choice for caravanners
The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is an excellent choice for caravanners
Caravanning is one of the best ways to explore the countryside, and has become a staple British pastime.
But before you start pondering the perfect car and caravan combo, there are a few things you need to get clued up on first.
Here we list some need-to-know facts about the law in the UK, pairing your car to your caravan and a selection of our favourite tow cars available to buy now.
This depends on when you passed your driving test, as the laws surrounding towing have changed over the years.
If your driving licence was issued after 1 January 1997, you can:
If your driving licence was issued before 1 January 1997, you can:
If you want to tow anything heavier, you’ll need to take a car and trailer driving test.
There’s no one-size-fits-all tow car, as it’s all about matching your car to your caravan. This is called outfit matching.
As caravans come in all shapes and sizes, you’ll need to consider the weight of the caravan first, and then assess how capable the car is of pulling this weight.
You’ll want to consider the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of your caravan, also known as maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This is the weight of the caravan when it is fully loaded.
It is widely advised that your caravan should weigh no more than 85% of your vehicle’s kerb weight. This is to avoid a ‘tail wags the dog’ situation. Your caravan should never weigh more than 100% of your vehicle’s kerb weight, and should also not exceed your car's maximum towing capacity.
To work out your caravan’s weight as a percentage of your car’s kerb weight, simply take your caravan’s MAM figure, divide it by 85, and then multiply by 100. In order to be safe, your tow car should have a kerb weight that is the same or bigger than this figure.
Example:
Caravan MAM = 1400 kg
(1400/85) x 100 = 1647
This means you should look for a car with a kerb weight of 1647 kg or more.
When towing a caravan, make sure you do everything smoothly. Don’t accelerate, brake or change direction abruptly. Be decisive but don’t rush.
Remember that there are speed limits specific to towing. These are 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and 50 mph on other roads unless there are lower speed restrictions in operation.
Towing capacity: 1,500 kg
Kerb weight: 1,147–1,325 kg
Voted Best Tow Car at the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2017, this is an impressive SUV that offers unrivalled value for money.
The five-seat Duster can be snapped up for the same price as you’d pay for a pocket-sized Fiat 500.
It has a spacious interior and offers a pleasant driving experience. The entry-level models are quite basic in their equipment levels, so we’d suggest opting for a higher-spec trim level.
Engine-wise, the diesel option will be your best bet, as it has 60% more pulling power than the 1.6-litre petrol.
Towing capacity: 1,000 to 1,600 kg
Kerb weight: 1,319 to 1,474 kg
A favourite among Practical Caravan’s tow car reviewers, the Volkswagen Golf is perfect if you want your tow car to double up as your city runaround. With plenty of pull and grip, the Golf offers decent fuel economy too.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine with DSG transmission also comes with a multi-link suspension system and is available in three power outputs – 217bhp, 262bhp and 296bhp.
Trim levels are more extensive than ever before, with DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, and eight-speaker audio system as standard.
The Golf didn’t get the title of Europe’s most popular car by chance; this is a reliable car that’s great fun to drive, and it just so happens to offer excellent stability and strong performance when towing, too.
Towing capacity: 1,500–2,200 kg
Kerb weight: 1,320–1,635 kg
This is a classic tow car for a reason; it just works. It’s smooth, comfortable and fuss-free, with exceptional pulling power.
For extra oomph when towing a caravan, we’d recommend the 2.0-litre diesel engine, which has 148bhp and brings the Superb up to an impressive two-tonne towing capacity.
Auto Express has penned the Superb Estate as the ‘ultimate family wagon’, and it’s easy to see why – it’s spacious, affordable and efficient. For a capable tow car to take on family holidays, you really don’t get much better than this.
Towing capacity: 2,200 kg
Kerb weight: 1,670–1,705 kg
Winner of the Auto Express and Caravan Club’s Tow Car of the Year 2017, the Volkswagen Passat Estate Alltrack is a classy mid-range car with off-road ability and fantastic towing capacity.
This high-quality family estate offers four-wheel-drive grip and a quiet and comfortable drive.
On top of its hefty towing limit of 2,200 kg, the Passat Alltrack offers a spacious and well-equipped cabin, capacious boot and powerful engines.
Towing capacity: 2,700–3,500 kg
Kerb weight: 2,070–2,350 kg
The BMW X5 is a luxurious option, with a jaw-dropping towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg, depending on which model you choose. Many drivers might even find that this SUV can tow more than their licence allows!
If you’re looking for a car that’s comfortable and fun to drive with or without your caravan in tow, then this is an ideal option. It’s seriously well equipped, with a plush interior and one of the most impressive suites of standard equipment you’ll find in any car.
The V8 engine option is super quick and powerful, and will carry almost any caravan with absolute ease. However, even the smallest engine in the range pulls well, and makes more economical sense.
