What is the maximum weight your car is allowed to tow? Before you start using your trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox, we recommend first finding an answer to this question, in order to guarantee safety, you are not allowed to exceed the maximum tow weight of your car. Always consult the VIN platee of your car to be certain about keeping within the limits of the maximum tow weight, sometimes also called horizontal load.
What is Tow Weight?
How much weight can the chassis of the car handle, how much does the car itself weigh and how much weight can the engine in the car handle? The car manufacturer determines a safe weight for cars to tow on the basis of these questions.
Braked weight and unbraked weight
Your VIN plate notes a difference between braked weight and unbraked weight. Braked weight is the maximum weight of a trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox that has its own brakes. Unbraked weight is the maximum weight of a trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox that is not capable of braking independently. In most cases, you are allowed to tow more braked weight than unbraked weight.
No Tow Weight
Small cars always have a low Tow Weight. If you have a small model car, always consult the VIN plate of your car to be certain about keeping within the limits of the maximum tow weight. If you are driving an electric or hybrid car, there’s a chance that your car is prohibited from towing a trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox. However, it is allowed to attach a bike carrier or towbar cargo box. These do not have a maximum tow weight, but a carry weight. The carry weight, or vertical load, can be found listed on the VIN plate of your car as well. Does your car have no tow weight, but would you still like to transport bikes with your car? We have the perfect solution: the bike carrier solution.