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Right I thought I understood the UK Caravan/Trailer towing Laws, but it looks like I havent fully.

I currently tow a caravan that is about 7.3m long with my Vauxhall Insignia CDTI 4X4 which has a max tow weight of 1800kg

I am considering changing the van for a reasonably light Twin Axle caravan that has a Max weight of 1650kg.  I am going to take my car to a weigh bridge to get a clear understanding of the kerb weight, the manual has it at around 1775kg but it is unclear as it is basic model without extras that is listed in the manual.

If the weight of the car is ok I was very tempted.

Now I have recently read that there is a maximum length of caravan/trailer and this is dependent of the Maximum weight of the tow vehical. 

If the tow vehicle maximum weight is under 3500kg which mine is then the maximum length of trailer or caravan is 7.0m excluding coupling and drawbar.

Now my current Caravan is around 7.3m but it has a big A Frame and drawbar which I presume is classed as the distance from the end of the hitch to the point that the actual caravan starts.

The new caravan I am looking at is 7.99m long I dont know the exact length of the draw bar, but I am expecting the drawbar is less that .99m long, so does this mean I can only tow it with a car max weight of over 3500kg.

The other thing what is confusing then if this is the case is why are there so many twin axle caravans of this sort of size towed by vehicals the quite clearly dont have a maximum vehicle weight in excess of 3500kg.

Is anyone able to give me an advice or guidance on this.What is used to determin the length of the drawbar, is it from hitch to start of the caravan, or does it go from hitch to under the van to the point that the a Frame meets the chassis of the caravan.

Lastly most caravan dealers quote only two lengths shipping and internal or body length. Could it be the body length that is used in these measurements.

Sorry for all the questions I am just trying to get my head around this.

Cheers

Hi Robsonalan -

As others have said length should be ok, mine is 7.94m overall but under 7m body. I would be more concerned with the match with the towcar, from the figures you quote your current outfit could be over 100% depending on the actual weight of your car model.

TonyC52,

I know my tow car is heavier that the potential caravan I am looking at but the question is how.  The manual has its minimum kerb weight for the base CDTI Hatch 4x4 as 1788kg, mine is not the base model and I have added quite a few extras.

I am planning on taking it to a weighbridge to weigh the car so I have a better understanding of the actual kerb weight. I am happy to tow if the percentace Car to Caravan is around 90% but would prefer not to tow 95%+.

I just need to find a weighbridge now.