Towing with a car
Towing weight and width limits
Most cars have a maximum weight 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 does not list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.
Maximum width
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
Maximum length
If your vehicle’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) is 3,500kg or less, you cannot tow a trailer that’s longer than 7 metres.
If your vehicle’s MAM is more than 3,500kg then the maximum lengths are:
- 12 metres for the trailer towed by the vehicle
- 18 metres for the vehicle and trailer combined
- 3.05 metres for how far the load can overhang the back of the trailer (whatever the length of the trailer is)
Maximum lengths do not include the A-frame (the frame that connects your car to the trailer).