Caravan Weights & Towing Guide
Caravan Weights & Towing Explained
Can My Car Tow a Caravan?
Finding a caravan you love is only part of the buying process. Before purchasing, you also need to establish whether your car is suitable for towing it.
Caravan weights can initially seem complicated because you'll encounter terms such as MTPLM, MiRO, payload, noseweight and gross train weight.
The good news is that the basic principles are relatively straightforward once you understand what each figure means.
This United British Caravans guide explains the terminology in plain English and highlights the checks you should make before choosing your caravan.
Important: This guide is intended to help explain caravan towing terminology. Always check the current specifications and plated limits for your particular car and caravan, together with your driving-licence entitlement. Manufacturer limits must not be exceeded.
1. What Does MTPLM Mean?
MTPLM stands for:
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass
Put simply, this is the maximum permitted laden weight of the caravan specified by the manufacturer.
It includes the caravan itself plus everything you're carrying in it.
For example:
Caravan MTPLM: 1,600kg
means the caravan must not exceed 1,600kg when loaded.
The term is similar in principle to Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), which GOV.UK defines as the maximum weight of a vehicle or trailer including the load it can safely carry on the road.
Why MTPLM matters
When comparing a caravan with your tow car, MTPLM is one of the key figures you need.
You'll normally find it in the caravan specification and on its weight plate.
2. What Does MiRO Mean?
MiRO means:
Mass in Running Order
Broadly speaking, this represents the caravan in its standard specification before you add your personal touring equipment.
However, exactly what is included in MiRO can depend upon the caravan's age, manufacturer and applicable calculation standard.
For example, items such as optional equipment may not be included.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club describes caravan MiRO as the caravan's empty weight in its standard manufacturer specification and distinguishes it from the weight available for user equipment.
Don't assume MiRO is what your caravan will actually weigh on holiday
Once you've added equipment, clothing, food, accessories and other belongings, the actual weight increases.
That's where payload becomes important.
3. What Is Caravan Payload?
Payload is essentially the weight available for the things you add to the caravan, subject to the manufacturer's specifications.
That can include items such as:
- Clothing
- Food
- Crockery
- Bedding
- Outdoor equipment
- Certain accessories
- Personal belongings
A simplified example might be:
MiRO: 1,420kg
MTPLM: 1,600kg
Difference:
180kg
But don't automatically assume every kilogram of that difference is freely available for luggage. Check the manufacturer's specification because allowances, optional equipment and the method used to calculate MiRO can affect the figures.
Accessories can consume payload
This is easily overlooked.
Equipment fitted to the caravan can add significant weight, for example:
Motor mover · Air conditioning · Solar equipment · Additional batteries · Bike carriers · Permanently fitted accessories
Depending on how the caravan's weights have been calculated, optional equipment can reduce the capacity remaining for your belongings.
That's worth considering before specifying lots of factory or dealer-fitted options.
4. What Is My Car's Maximum Towing Capacity?
Most cars have a maximum weight they are permitted to tow.
GOV.UK says this is usually stated in the vehicle handbook or specification information. The vehicle's gross train weight can also be shown on its VIN/manufacturer plate, normally under the bonnet or inside the driver's door.
Do not simply rely on:
“It's a big SUV, so it'll tow it.”
Engine size, vehicle size or power alone doesn't determine the legal towing limit.
Check the manufacturer's actual figures for the specific model and derivative of your vehicle.
5. What Is Gross Train Weight?
Gross Train Weight (GTW) is extremely important.
It is the permitted maximum weight of the fully loaded towing vehicle plus fully loaded trailer/caravan combination.
GOV.UK specifically states that gross train weight must not be exceeded.
A car's manufacturer plate commonly contains several figures.
These can include:
Maximum vehicle weight
Maximum car + trailer combination weight
Maximum front axle weight
Maximum rear axle weight
The second figure is normally the relevant gross train weight.
A useful warning
Don't simply subtract one brochure number from another and assume you've established everything you need to know.
Actual loading matters too.
Passengers, luggage, fuel and equipment in the tow car all contribute to vehicle and combination weight.
6. A Simple Towing Example
Suppose you're considering a caravan with:
MTPLM: 1,500kg
and your car manufacturer specifies:
Maximum braked towing capacity: 1,800kg
At first glance, the caravan's MTPLM is within the vehicle manufacturer's towing capacity.
That's encouraging — but it doesn't complete the suitability check.
You still need to consider:
- Gross train weight
- Actual vehicle loading
- Caravan loading
- Noseweight limits
- Axle limits
- Driving-licence entitlement
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Stability and sensible matching
So:
1,500kg caravan < 1,800kg towing capacity
does not, by itself, mean:
“This outfit is definitely suitable.”
That's an important distinction.
7. What Is the 85% Towing Guideline?
You may have heard caravanners talking about an 85% rule.
It's important to understand that 85% is not a UK legal towing limit.
It has traditionally been used within caravanning as guidance when considering the relationship between caravan weight and tow-car weight, particularly for less experienced towers.
Your legal and technical limits come from things such as the vehicle's permitted towing capacity, plated weights, train weight and applicable licence entitlement.
The Highway Code says drivers must not overload their vehicle or trailer and should not tow a weight greater than recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
So don't confuse:
Industry matching guidance
with:
Legal vehicle limits
They aren't the same thing.
8. What Is Noseweight?
Noseweight is the vertical downward force that the caravan applies to the car's towball.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club describes it as the vertical load the caravan exerts on the towing vehicle's towbar.
Correct noseweight is important for stability.
There may be limits associated with:
- The car
- The towbar
- The caravan
You need to remain within the applicable limit.
The Highway Code also advises distributing weight evenly, placing heavy items around the axle area and maintaining an appropriate downward load on the towball without exceeding manufacturer recommendations.
Don't guess noseweight
It can be measured using appropriate equipment.
Loading the caravan differently can alter it significantly.
9. Loading Your Caravan Correctly
How you load a caravan can affect how it behaves on the road.
As a general principle, heavy items should be kept low and around the axle area, rather than loading large amounts of weight at the extreme front or rear.
GOV.UK advises that trailer loads should be distributed evenly and secured.
Think carefully about items such as:
- Awning
- Outdoor furniture
- BBQ
- Food
- Water
- Clothing
- Bikes
- Camping equipment
Just because an item physically fits in a locker doesn't necessarily make that the best place to carry it.
10. Should I Travel with the Water Tank Full?
Water is heavy.
One litre of water weighs approximately one kilogram.
So 40 litres of water represents roughly 40kg of additional weight.
Whether water should be carried while travelling depends upon the caravan, system and circumstances, but from a payload perspective the important point is simple:
Water has weight and must be accounted for where applicable.
The same principle applies to other liquids and consumables.
11. What About Gas Bottles and Batteries?
These can also represent meaningful weight.
When calculating what you can carry, establish whether particular equipment has already been included in the manufacturer's stated MiRO or allowances.
Don't assume.
Different specifications and calculation standards can apply, particularly when comparing caravans of different ages.
If you're looking at a particular UBC caravan, we can help identify the manufacturer's published figures for that model.
12. Does a Motor Mover Affect Caravan Weight?
Yes — a motor mover has physical weight.
Depending upon how the caravan's published figures and options are treated, fitting one may reduce the remaining payload available.
The same consideration applies to accessories such as:
- Air conditioning
- Additional batteries
- Solar systems
- Bike racks
- Satellite systems
- Additional equipment
This doesn't mean you shouldn't fit them.
It means their weight needs to be considered rather than ignored.
13. Single Axle vs Twin Axle
Caravan weight often increases as caravans become larger and more luxurious.
Single-Axle Caravans
Can offer:
- Lower overall weight
- Easier manoeuvring
- Greater choice of suitable tow cars
- Easier storage
- Excellent touring practicality
Twin-Axle Caravans
Can provide:
- Larger interiors
- More luxurious layouts
- Greater storage
- Larger permanent bedrooms
- Bigger kitchens and washrooms
But they are generally heavier.
If you're considering something such as a Bailey Unicorn Grande or Coachman Lusso, tow-car suitability becomes especially important.
Don't choose the tow car and caravan independently. Think of them as an outfit.
14. What Driving Licence Do I Need to Tow a Caravan?
UK licence rules have changed over the years, so this is an area where you should check your actual driving-licence entitlement rather than relying on something another caravanner remembers.
For Great Britain, GOV.UK currently says that if you obtained your car licence from 1 January 1997, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg under the relevant category BE entitlement. Drivers who obtained their licence before 1 January 1997 can usually drive a vehicle-and-trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM, subject to their actual licence entitlement.
There are additional categories and rules for larger vehicles and combinations.
Always check your own licence.
Check the current GOV.UK towing licence rules
15. Does the Caravan Need Brakes?
Most touring caravans are well above the threshold where braking requirements become relevant.
GOV.UK states that a trailer over 750kg when loaded must have a working braking system. Brakes must be maintained in good working order, and the appropriate breakaway cable or secondary coupling must be used.
This is another reason why proper caravan servicing and pre-towing checks matter.
16. Do I Need Towing Mirrors?
You must have an adequate view of the road behind you.
GOV.UK says suitable towing mirrors must be fitted if the caravan or trailer is wider than the rear of the towing vehicle. Failure to have the required view can result in a fine and penalty points.
For normal touring caravans, appropriate extension mirrors are therefore an important part of your towing equipment.
17. Don't Forget the Towbar
Your towbar also needs to be appropriate for the vehicle.
For applicable cars, GOV.UK states that the towbar must be type approved and designed for the vehicle.
Also check the permitted towball load.
A car having sufficient engine power doesn't override the limits of the towing equipment.
18. Caravan Width and Length
There are legal dimensional limits too.
For cars and other towing vehicles, GOV.UK currently states a maximum trailer width of 2.55 metres.
Where the towing vehicle has a MAM of 3,500kg or less, the trailer body must not be more than 7 metres long, excluding the A-frame.
Most mainstream UK touring caravans are designed with these requirements in mind, but it's useful to understand why certain dimensions appear repeatedly in specifications.
19. Electric Cars and Caravan Towing
Electric vehicles can make capable tow cars, but don't assume every EV is approved for towing.
Check the manufacturer's specification for the exact model.
Towing can also significantly affect energy consumption and therefore practical driving range.
The same fundamental principles remain:
Check towing capacity → Check plated limits → Check caravan weight → Check loading → Check the complete outfit
20. Can I Rely on an Online Tow-Matching Calculator?
Tow-matching tools can be extremely useful for narrowing down your choices.
But I wouldn't use a third-party calculator as the sole authority for deciding whether an outfit is legal or suitable.
Vehicle specifications can differ according to:
- Engine
- Gearbox
- Trim
- Model year
- Drivetrain
- Factory options
Always verify important figures against the vehicle manufacturer, VIN plate, handbook and caravan manufacturer's specification.
21. Weighing Your Caravan
If you want to know what your caravan actually weighs when loaded, a weighbridge is far more useful than guessing.
This becomes particularly worthwhile when:
- Your payload is relatively small
- You've fitted accessories
- You're carrying substantial equipment
- You've changed batteries or other equipment
- You're unsure how close you are to MTPLM
Remember that remaining below the overall MTPLM doesn't automatically mean every individual limit is satisfied — loading and axle considerations still matter.
22. Pre-Towing Safety Checks
Before setting off, check more than just weight.
GOV.UK recommends checking items including:
- Tyres and tyre pressures
- Wheel nuts
- Lights and indicators
- Load security
- Braking system
- Breakaway cable
- Towing equipment
- Mirrors
Tyres should be free from cuts and bulges and inflated according to the manufacturer's specification for the load being carried.
A correctly matched outfit still needs to be correctly maintained and loaded.
23. What If the Caravan Starts Snaking?
If a caravan begins to snake or sway, GOV.UK advises easing off the accelerator and reducing speed gently rather than braking harshly. Snaking can indicate excessive speed or incorrect loading.
Correct loading, appropriate speed, suitable tow-car matching and good maintenance all contribute to stability.
24. Choosing a Caravan to Match Your Car
If you already own the car you intend to tow with, bring its details with you when looking at caravans.
Ideally have:
Make
Model
Year
Engine
Transmission
Exact derivative
Manufacturer towing capacity
Gross train weight
Then we can compare those details with the specifications of caravans you're interested in.
This is much better than choosing a caravan purely on appearance and trying to solve the towing question afterwards.
25. Choosing a Car to Match Your Caravan
Sometimes the caravan comes first.
If you've found exactly the caravan you want and intend to change your car anyway, you can approach the problem from the opposite direction.
Use the caravan's specifications to help determine the type of tow car required.
Again, don't look only at maximum towing capacity.
Consider the whole outfit, including stability, loading, noseweight, train weight and how you intend to travel.
The Simple UBC Towing Checklist
Before buying, establish:
1. What is the caravan's MTPLM?
2. What is the car manufacturer's maximum towing capacity?
3. What is the car's gross train weight?
4. What are the applicable noseweight limits?
5. What will the car actually be carrying?
6. What will the caravan actually be carrying?
7. Are accessories consuming caravan payload?
8. Does your driving licence cover the combination?
9. Is the towbar/equipment suitable?
10. Are you comfortable that the outfit is sensible as well as technically permitted?
If you're unsure about any of those, check before buying.
Find the Right Caravan at United British Caravans
At United British Caravans in North Gosforth, Newcastle, you can compare caravans of different sizes, weights and layouts from manufacturers including Bailey, Coachman and ERIBA, alongside our changing selection of quality used caravans.
If you're considering a particular caravan, our team can help you identify its published weight specifications so you can compare them with the limits applicable to your tow vehicle.
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