TOW THE LINE
Is it illegal to tow a caravan with a leased or hire car? Plus what you need to know before signing the lease agreement
Plus if you need to let the hire company know if you're towing a caravan
YOU might be planning a staycation this summer which could include a caravan holiday.
However, you may be confused as to if you can use your hire car to tow a caravan. Here's what we know.
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Is it illegal to tow a caravan with a leased or hire car?
It is perfectly legal for you to use a leased or hire car to tow a caravan.
It's estimated that around 86 per cent of private cars are leased in the UK.
This means that a high proportion of these are likely to be used to tow caravans.
Some car dealers advertise the suitability of specific models to do this.
Read more on caravans
You can also tow a caravan with a hire car.
What do you need to tow a caravan with a lease or hire car?
If you’re looking to lease or hire a car and will be using it to tow your caravan, it’s very important to understand the maximum towing capacity of the model you’re planning to use.
You also need to make sure you are using the correct equipment.
The law requires that your towing setup meets certain safety standards.
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This includes having the correct towing hitch and ensuring that the towing vehicle is capable of safely towing the caravan's weight.
If you are stopped by the police and your equipment is seen as unsafe or inadequate, you could receive a fine.
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Inadequate towing equipment can pose serious safety risks, so it's important to ensure your setup is correct and compliant with regulations.
Here are some reasons you might be fined for not having the correct caravan towing equipment:
- Exceeding towing capacity
- Improper towing attachments
- Faulty lights or signals
- Inadequate braking systems
- Non-compliance with safety standards
Do you need to let the hire company know you plan to tow a caravan?
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When hiring a car it’s crucial that you speak to the car hire company and let them know that you plan to tow a caravan.
The company will be able to tell you the maximum towing capacity of the car and ensure it’s suitable to tow your caravan.
You’ll need to find a hire firm that rents out vehicles fitted with tow bars as some companies specialise in this.
You should let the hire company know you plan to tow a caravan so they can check the hire vehicle will have the right type of tow ball for your hitch.
Caravan driving laws
Check out our array of handy guides and explainers filled with caravan advice and laws:
- Can I be fined for towing a caravan on a motorway?
- Can you tow a caravan with an electric car?
- How to complain about your neighbour’s caravan
- Are passengers allowed to ride in a caravan that is being towed?
- Does my caravan need an MOT?
- Can I be fined for towing a caravan or trailer without taking a test?
- Can I be fined for having inadequate caravan towing equipment?
- Can I be fined for mismatched number plates on my caravan?
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