Towing a trailer on a motorway

What are the motorway regulations for towing a trailer? Can You tow a trailer along a three-lane motorway? Is it bad to tow a small trailer? How many lanes can you tow on a motorway?

You must not drive in the right-hand lane of a motorway with or more lanes. Don’t forget that you’re towing a trailer.

If you’re towing a small, light trailer, it won’t reduce your vehicle ’s performance by very much. However, strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles might cause the trailer to snake from side to side. Be aware of your speed and don’t exceed the reduced speed limit imposed on vehicles towing trailers.

To find out the speed limit you just read the signs, right? You need a full car licence before being able to tow with any larger vehicle. A full car licence already lets you tow trailers weighing no more than 750kg. While towing on a motorway the maximum speed limit is: It is also important to note that while towing you are not allowed in the outside lane.

You can also tow heavier trailers with a. This also applies to vehicles that have their speed restricted to 68mph or under.

In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 500kg MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded.

The speed limit is the absolute maximum - it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all. Entitlements Cand C1E permit driving a vehicle weighing up to 500kg and towing a trailer where the combined weight of both the tow vehicle and trailer does not exceed 250kg. Passengers are not allowed to ride in a trailer or caravan when it is being towed.

Moving passengers in the caravan can make it unstable and could cause it to flip over. Caravans have very little crash protection. When towing on a motorway you are not allowed to exceed 60mph.

Motorway lane rules. When the road ahead is clear, remain in the left lane. If overtaking slower vehicles, return to the left lane once you are safely past. Vehicle towing and loading.

MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits. A broken down vehicle being towed becomes a trailer. It also does not lose its status as a motor vehicle so it needs to have the relevant documents etc.

Must admit I have never seen anyone towing a car or van on the motorway but I do recall reading that the Police would only give you so long to remove your vehicle or they would remove it and charge you. Trailer speed limits on UK roads are mph for motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph on single carriageway roads.

You are prohibited from towing a trailer in the outside lane of a motorway, unless directed by emergency services to do so.

Towing Rules Although many of the rules below have a UK bias they generally apply world wide. Snaking is when the lateral swaying movement (technically known as the ‘yaw’) of a trailer behind a car becomes excessive. In extreme cases, the trailer swings ever more violently from side to side, eventually dragging the back of the car with it so the driver loses control.

A Towing dolly This is a lightweight trailer -like frame with wheels, ramps and winch which is attached to the coupling of a towing vehicle and used to elevate and transport a vehicle. The maximum width for any trailer is 2. A driver has been caught towing a trailer while in lane three of a motorway. A-frame should you be towing with one).

Your motorbike has to be clearly and permanently marked with its ‘kerbside weight’.