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It has been said that a VW Passat can tow a large Hobby. The law is not about what a vehicle can physically tow; the law defines what you can tow by length and width.

The definition in the Construction and Use Regulations of the overall length of a trailer makes it clear that the coupling device and draw-bar are not included in the length dimension. Forget the gas locker issue. If you have a really old caravan, where a protective box is mounted on to the front, which is supported on the draw-bar for the purpose of storage gas tanks, for example, this box is included in the overall length. If you have a van that old, of that design, then it will be less than 7m anyway. So you can only tow, with a vehicle of less than 3.5Kg, a caravan of no more than 7m in length (excluding the hitch and A frame.)

The answer is clear....the problem is, and we have this on many a thread, is that folks just don't want to see the answer, and try to run spurious arguments to justify being incorrect, or illegal.

A VW Passat can tow it.....

Big 4x4 is a commercial vehicle so thats ok to tow.......

we have even had one poster on here comment that she has never been stopped illegally towing ( a Hobby over 7 long with a car less than 3.5Kg ) so it must be ok.

Phil

Ford ranger according to the web has a kerb weight of 1845Kg which is not 3500Kg. Does not matter what your insurers call it, its the weight that matters according to the law.

Phil

I think that "without gas box" means the internal living area measurement. The 7m towing restriction is the overall length excluding the A frame.

Phil

is just trying to bend the law to suit ones needs

We have seen evidence of that on this board. Don't know if its bending the law, but I think there is a failure to understand the nuances of the law, how it is framed and works. Sometimes its easier to go with what you think is the law. Problem with that is that ignorance of the law is no defence. 

Phil