Towing can be a straightforward and rewarding experience when your vehicle and trailer are correctly matched. Whether you’re moving tools to a work site, hauling a caravan for a weekend break or transporting goods for a small business, choosing the right trailer for your specific vehicle isn’t something to leave to chance. Too many drivers make the mistake of relying on estimates or assumptions, only to find out their vehicle is struggling under the weight, or worse, towing illegally.

Matching your trailer to your vehicle requires understanding key figures and features—some of which are stamped on a plate under the bonnet and others outlined in the owner’s manual. This isn’t about overcomplicating things—it’s about making informed choices that ensure safety, compliance with the law, and a smooth drive from start to finish.

Know Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity

Every vehicle has a maximum towing capacity, which varies depending on the make, model and engine size. This figure will usually appear in your car or van’s handbook or on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate. It’s sometimes referred to as the Gross Train Weight (GTW), which is the combined maximum weight of the vehicle and the trailer when fully loaded.

To find out how much your vehicle can tow, you need to subtract the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)—the maximum weight of your vehicle including passengers and cargo—from the Gross Train Weight. The result is your maximum towing allowance. This is the absolute limit, and exceeding it can result in dangerous handling, increased stopping distances, and a potential fine if stopped by police or enforcement agencies.

Understand the Trailer’s Weight and Limits

Just as your vehicle has a maximum towing capacity, every trailer has a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). This figure includes the trailer’s own weight and the load it can safely carry. It’s essential to ensure the trailer’s MAM does not exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity. Also important is the trailer’s unladen weight—the base weight when empty—which affects how much payload it can legally carry once hitched.

Trailers with a MAM of over 750kg must be braked. If your vehicle is only rated to tow unbraked trailers, you’ll be limited to towing lighter options. Checking the trailer’s plate or manufacturer’s documents will confirm its MAM and whether it has brakes fitted. This isn’t an area where it pays to cut corners—matching a trailer that’s too heavy or incompatible with your vehicle can cause real problems.

Pay Attention to Tow Bar Ratings

Even if your vehicle can handle a particular trailer weight, the tow bar also needs to be rated accordingly. Tow bars come with their own D-value (a measure of strength) and S-value (vertical load limit), and these should not be exceeded. Using a manufacturer-approved tow bar is recommended, especially when towing near the upper limit of your vehicle’s capacity.

Modern tow bars often come with an EU type approval sticker, showing their specifications and compliance. If you’re buying or installing a tow bar, ensure it’s properly fitted by a qualified professional and that it’s suited to both the vehicle and the expected towing weight. It’s not just about the ability to pull the trailer—it’s also about maintaining control while braking, cornering, and reversing.

Don’t Forget About Nose Weight

Nose weight is the downward force that the trailer applies to the tow ball of your vehicle. This figure is usually specified in your vehicle’s handbook, and exceeding it can cause poor handling or put undue strain on the rear suspension. A trailer with too much nose weight may cause the rear of the vehicle to sag, reducing grip on the front wheels. Too little, and the trailer may become unstable or prone to snaking.

Distributing the load inside your trailer evenly—keeping heavier items over the axle and securing everything tightly—helps manage nose weight and improves towing stability. Use a nose weight gauge if you’re unsure, especially when towing unfamiliar trailers or transporting variable loads.

Consider the Type of Trailer You Need

Trailers come in all shapes and sizes—box trailers, flatbeds, tipping trailers, horseboxes, car transporters, plant trailers and more. The type of trailer you need should depend not only on what you’re towing but on how your vehicle performs with that kind of load. Lightweight cars may be fine with a small camping trailer or garden tipper but would struggle with a twin-axle transporter or a livestock trailer.

It’s also worth thinking about terrain. A trailer that performs well on the motorway might need a different setup when taken off-road or into hilly areas. If your vehicle lacks torque or traction for heavier loads, you might be better hiring a more powerful towing vehicle rather than risking strain on your everyday motor.

Check Licence and Legal Entitlements

Knowing your rights as a driver is just as important as checking your vehicle’s capabilities. For those who passed their driving test before January 1997, towing allowances are typically higher. Drivers who passed their test after this date were previously limited but, as of 2021, are now permitted to tow trailers with a combined vehicle and trailer MAM of up to 3,500kg.

That said, being legally allowed to tow doesn’t mean your vehicle is capable of towing that much. Always go by the vehicle manufacturer’s figures, not just what your licence permits. Staying within legal limits protects your insurance and ensures you’re compliant if you’re ever involved in an accident or stopped for a spot check.

Match for Safety, Not Just Power

It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that a powerful vehicle automatically equals great towing performance. But matching your trailer isn’t just about engine size. It’s about how the trailer and vehicle work together—the brakes, suspension, stability and load distribution all play a part in making towing feel secure and smooth.

Take time to test how your vehicle handles when loaded and hitched to your trailer. Pay attention to stopping distances, reversing ability, and visibility. Use towing mirrors where necessary, especially if your trailer is wider than your vehicle. Getting everything balanced and working in harmony creates a much safer and more enjoyable towing experience.

The Benefits of Getting It Right

Matching your trailer to your vehicle correctly not only keeps you legal and safe but also makes every journey feel easier. There’s less strain on your engine, fewer worries about handling, and far lower chances of breakdowns or damage. You’ll avoid costly repairs, enforcement penalties, and unnecessary stress.

Whether you’re towing once a year or every day for work, understanding the technical details behind your towing setup means you’ll be better prepared and more confident on the road. With the right match, your vehicle and trailer can become a reliable team—working together instead of fighting against each other every mile.