What Car? Q&A - How do I tow a caravan?

Q: I am thinking about buying a caravan and need to get a tow bar fitted to my car. This is all new to me and I’m not sure where to start, can you help?
Malcolm Richards

A: First of all, make sure you have a 'type approved' tow bar fitted to your car. This is vitally important because if not you could face prosecution and may find your insurance is invalid if you ever need to make a claim.

Any car manufacturer, specialist dealer or accessory retailer should be able to point you in the direction of approved tow bars and tell you which bars are suitable for your vehicle and your needs.

The same regulations that govern whether a tow bar is approved or not, require you to check a car’ capabilities before you use it for towing. You need to make sure that the total weight of the trailer is within the towing capacity of your vehicle and that the engine is powerful enough to tow the loaded trailer both on the flat and up hills. This information will be available in your car’ handbook, from your dealer, or in the specifications tables of the reviews on Whatcar.com

Also, it is worth remembering that towing puts a lot of extra strain on your car, so make sure it is in good condition and be extra vigilant about maintenance. Always check your car over thoroughly, and check all tyres, including those on your caravan, before a trip.

Consider taking some courses on how to drive while towing from an organisation like the Caravan Club on 01342 336808.