Towing Weight Calculator
Check instantly whether your vehicle can safely tow a caravan, trailer, horsebox or boat. Calculate nose weight, gross train weight, payload and the 85% towing rule — all in one place.
Towing Weight Calculator
Enter your vehicle and trailer details to check towing safety
Select your vehicle type for typical values, or choose “Enter my own” for exact figures
Found in your vehicle handbook, V5C logbook, or manufacturer website
The manufacturer’s maximum braked trailer weight (from handbook or V5C)
Maximum downward force on the tow ball — typically 50–100 kg
Maximum combined weight of vehicle + trailer (from vehicle handbook)
The trailer’s empty weight (MTPLM or MRO from documentation)
Weight of everything you’re loading into the trailer (luggage, equipment, animals)
The downward force on the tow ball — measure with a nose weight gauge or bathroom scales
Vehicle kerbweight plus passengers and all luggage loaded in the car
Towing Safety Check
Weight limits, compliance checks and safety verdict
Enter your vehicle and trailer details, then click Check Towing Capacity to see your safety verdict and weight analysis.
Typical Towing Capacities by Vehicle Type
Approximate figures — always verify with your vehicle’s handbook or V5C logbook.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Kerbweight | Max Towing Capacity | Max Nose Weight | 85% Limit (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small SUV / Crossover | 1,400–1,700 kg | 1,200–1,800 kg | 60–80 kg | 1,190–1,445 kg |
| Large SUV / 4×4 | 1,800–2,400 kg | 2,000–3,500 kg | 75–150 kg | 1,530–2,040 kg |
| Estate / Saloon | 1,300–1,700 kg | 1,000–1,800 kg | 50–75 kg | 1,105–1,445 kg |
| Pickup Truck | 2,000–2,800 kg | 2,500–3,500 kg | 100–150 kg | 1,700–2,380 kg |
| MPV / People Carrier | 1,500–2,000 kg | 1,200–2,000 kg | 60–100 kg | 1,275–1,700 kg |
| Van / Motorhome | 1,800–3,500 kg | 1,500–3,500 kg | 75–100 kg | 1,530–2,975 kg |
Towing Weight FAQ
Everything you need to know about towing limits, nose weight and safe towing practice.
The 85% rule states that for safe towing, the laden (loaded) weight of your trailer or caravan should not exceed 85% of your vehicle’s kerbweight. For example, if your car has a kerbweight of 1,800 kg, your trailer should weigh no more than 1,530 kg when fully loaded. Exceeding 85% makes the vehicle harder to control, particularly if the trailer begins to snake or sway at speed. This is a recommended safety guideline — not a legal limit — but many insurers require compliance.
Nose weight (also called hitch weight or tongue weight) is the downward force exerted on the tow ball by the trailer’s coupling. Most vehicles have a maximum nose weight of 50–100 kg. Too little nose weight causes trailer sway and snaking; too much overloads the rear axle of the towing vehicle, reducing steering response and front tyre grip. The ideal nose weight is typically 5–7% of the trailer’s laden weight. You can measure it with a dedicated nose weight gauge or bathroom scales under the coupling.
Gross Train Weight (GTW) is the maximum combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer, both fully loaded. Your vehicle’s documentation will specify its GTW limit. The actual combined weight of your laden vehicle plus your laden trailer must never exceed this figure. GTW = vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) + trailer’s laden weight. Exceeding GTW can invalidate your insurance and is an offence under UK road traffic law.
In the UK, if you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, your category B licence allows you to tow a trailer with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of up to 750 kg. You may also tow a heavier trailer provided the combined vehicle and trailer weight does not exceed 3,500 kg. To tow heavier combinations, you need to pass a category B+E test. If you passed before 1997, you usually have automatic entitlement to tow heavier trailers — check your licence for categories.
Kerbweight is the weight of the vehicle in running order with a full tank of fuel but no passengers or cargo. Towing capacity (or maximum authorised towing weight) is the maximum weight your vehicle is designed to pull behind it. These are entirely different figures: a vehicle may have a kerbweight of 1,600 kg and a towing capacity of 2,000 kg — or vice versa. Both figures are found in the vehicle handbook or V5C logbook. The 85% rule is always applied to kerbweight, not towing capacity.
For caravans, MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) is the absolute maximum the caravan is designed to weigh when loaded — it is the legal maximum and must never be exceeded. MRO (Mass in Running Order) is the caravan’s weight as it leaves the factory with standard equipment and fluids, but without personal belongings or optional extras. The difference between MTPLM and MRO is your user payload — how much luggage and personal items you can carry.
In the UK, when towing a caravan or trailer, the speed limits are reduced: 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways (not 70 mph). These limits apply regardless of the national speed limit signs. You must also keep left on motorways and may not use the outside lane of a three-lane (or more) motorway. Always ensure your tow bar and electrics are properly fitted and the trailer is correctly loaded before setting off.
Correct loading is critical for safe towing. Place heavier items low and forward of the trailer’s axle to achieve the correct nose weight (5–7% of laden trailer weight). Avoid overloading the rear of the trailer — this reduces nose weight and increases the risk of snaking. Secure all items to prevent load shift during braking and cornering. Distribute weight evenly side-to-side. After loading, always check nose weight with a gauge before setting off.