Motorhome Towing – Your Full Information

Contemplating towing a automobile, boat or trailer behind your motorhome or campervan? Undecided concerning the legislation for motorhome towing, what it’s good to do or if will probably be tougher to make use of your motorhome? Excellent news- right here’s every thing it’s good to find out about towing with a motorhome or camper.

Don’t neglect to seize your FREE pre-trip guidelines under to maintain you organised.

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Motorhome Towing – why we do it

We journey Europe with our motorhome and more often than not we tow 2 motorbikes on a trailer behind our van. We love having the bikes with us because it offers us freedom to discover and makes it simpler to go to locations in cities or cities.

The rationale we determined to purchase a motorhome within the first place was as a result of we needed to discover Europe with our motorbikes.

Initially, we had been caught between whether or not to purchase a caravan or motorhome, however, clearly, you may’t tow a trailer for those who’re already towing a caravan- in order that was that call made!

However we’ve additionally accomplished a number of journeys with out the bikes (and trailer!), so we all know the professionals and cons of motorhome towing and whether or not it’s value it or not.

There are a number of myths and incorrect details about motorhome towing, so we’ve put this information collectively that will help you determine for those who WANT to tow, after which determine what it’s good to know to remain authorized as you journey across the UK or Europe.

Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?

Motorhome Towing Information Questions

There are some frequent questions we get requested often. (I’ll use the time period ‘motorhome’ predominantly on this information, however most of those guidelines apply simply as nicely to campervans and RV towing too.)

• Does towing with a motorhome make it more durable to drive?
• Does having a trailer or automobile price extra on ferries/ tunnel?
• The way to discover locations to remain whereas motorhome towing
• Is it authorized to tow with a motorhome or campervan/ motorhome towing legal guidelines?
• Are A-frames authorized in Europe?
• What’s the perfect trailer to drag behind a motorhome?
• What’s the perfect automobile to drag behind a motorhome?

Beneath, I’ll break these questions down and reply them for you.

If in case you have any questions which this information DOESN’T cowl, please do go away a remark under and we’ll do our greatest to assist.

Watch the motorhome towing video

Want watching to studying? Right here’s the video we filmed about towing with a motorhome, which covers some (however not all!) of the factors listed under.

We hope you discovered the video helpful. In the event you did, we’d find it irresistible if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with ideas for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.

Is it authorized to tow with a motorhome?

Sure, you’re allowed to tow along with your motorhome so long as:

• YOU are legally allowed to tow in your licence (the legislation was just lately modified to permit everybody the power to tow as much as 3.5 tonnes on their full UK licence, so long as the under is taken into consideration)
• The gross practice weight (GTW) of the motorhome is just not exceeded (see under)
• The towbar can take the load of the trailer/ automobile (not all towbars can take all masses)
• You stick with the pace limits for autos towing
• You’re solely utilizing an A-frame within the UK. Europe is the place issues get difficult (see part under)

Motorhome towing capability

Okay, bear with me. I’m about to spew acronyms at you.

You want to know a few numbers.

• First, it’s good to know what the weight of your motorhome/ camper is. That INCLUDES all passengers, gas, water, fuel, meals, garments, paddleboards- EVERYTHING. You want to know the load of all of it whereas fully-loaded (go to a weighbridge to get this right- it’s really easy to underestimate it.)
• Then, it’s good to know the load of the automobile or trailer you wish to tow behind the motorhome. That is the load with EVERYTHING on it- so, for instance, the load of the trailer with our 2 motorbikes on it.

Your Gross Practice Weight (GTW) restriction is the load of the motorhome (totally laden) and the trailer/ automobile (totally laden) TOGETHER.

So, for instance, in case your motorhome is 3 tonnes totally laden, and your trailer is 750kg, your GTW could be 3.75 tonnes.

THEN, it’s good to be sure you are below the GTW that your motorhome is ALLOWED to drag. That is typically on a plate inside the driving force or passenger door, but when not needs to be in your paperwork or on-line within the specs in your mannequin van.

Most individuals on a typical UK automobile licence are allowed to tow as much as 750kg max trailer weight (totally laden) and as much as 3.5 tonnes as a GTW. So, within the instance above, you’d NOT be authorized.

Word: GTW is NOT the identical factor as payload. 

Towbar towing capability

One other factor to think about is the tow bar weight capability.

There are some trailers/ backboxes which sit completely on the nostril of the tow bar. You want to ensure that the towbar nostril can take any weight you wish to placed on it. You discover this out out of your towbar fitter.

The identical with towing weight- examine this along with your towbar fitter and ensure it is sufficient to accommodate what you wish to tow.

If you’re planning to place a number of weight straight onto the towbar, then it’s good to take into account motorhome loading and if the rear axle of the van can take the load/ the way it will have an effect on steering and many others.

Don’t count on ANY towbar fitter to have the ability to match a towbar to a motorhome. We tried a number of and needed to drive practically 100 miles to search out somebody who might do it.

Towing with a Motorhome- execs

We love having the ability to convey our motorbikes with us and we’ve had some INCREDIBLE adventures on the motorbikes. A few of our favourites embody:

There have undoubtedly been instances the place we’ve benefitted from having the bikes- similar to making an attempt to get right into a busy metropolis to do some laundry whereas travelling.

However, for us, the largest profit is the truth that we’re capable of proceed our pastime (motorbiking) as we journey. And that’s the underside line which makes all of the downsides of motorhome towing worthwhile.

As a result of, sadly, there are some critical downsides…

Downsides of Motorhome Towing

As I’ve already talked about, there a fairly just a few cons to towing with a motorhome!!

Does towing with a motorhome make it more durable to drive?

Towing ANYTHING makes it more durable to drive. Nonetheless, towing a trailer or a automobile behind a motorhome usually isn’t as troublesome as towing one thing behind a automobile, as a result of the tow automobile is so large.

The trailer simply follows alongside fairly fortunately, even whenever you’re driving up and down mountains with loopy hairpins- we’ve definitely not stopped exploring as a result of we now have a trailer.

However, sure, reversing or manoeuvering in tight areas is DEFINITELY more durable with a trailer behind your motorhome.

You additionally must be extra cautious along with your route. Not a lot on motorways or essential roads, however in small villages the place turning is likely to be powerful. Or in petrol stations, which may be surprisingly exhausting to get out of!

Does having a trailer or tow automobile price extra on ferries/ tunnel?

Oh sure.

This is among the greatest downsides for motorhome towing in our opinion- the sheer price of it.

Now, to be clear, towing doesn’t truly COST more- our mpg doesn’t change very a lot in any respect between having a trailer or not. So, for those who dwell and journey in your camper simply within the UK, you gained’t have many further prices for taking a trailer- aside from some campsite charges.

However…

If you’re planning a visit to Europe, you actually need to weigh up the professionals and cons of taking a trailer or automobile with you. As a result of EVERYTHING prices extra.

• The ferry/ tunnel is priced based mostly in your size
• Tolls in lots of international locations price extra, as you turn out to be a CAT 3 (3 axles), as a substitute of a CAT 2)
• In the event you journey to Norway ALL the small ferries are additionally priced on size, so that they price extra
• Campsites cost for trailer or automobile
• Aires in Europe generally cost for longer automobile
• Automobile parks which require a parking ticket might require 2 and even 3

And people are simply the additional prices off the highest of my head. We priced up & found how a lot it prices to tour Norway with a motorhome – for those who learn that submit you’ll see how a lot having the trailer price us (which is unhappy, as we solely used the bikes for in the future because of the AWFUL climate!)

The way to discover locations to remain whereas motorhome towing

We don’t have a tendency to make use of campsites in Europe much- we desire aires or wild tenting. However many aires are solely appropriate for campers as much as 7m. That’s one of many causes we downsized our motorhome.

We’ve by no means had an issue discovering someplace to remain, finally, however we now have undoubtedly needed to drive previous some fairly choices as a result of we couldn’t match.

Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe

Motorhome safety

One of the troublesome issues about having one other automobile is you need to take into consideration motorhome safety in your camper AND for the trailer/ automobile.

We feature wheel locks for the trailer, further locks/ chains for our bikes and several other different units to verify they keep secure in a single day. It’s undoubtedly one thing it’s good to take into account.

Motorhome insurance coverage with a trailer or a tow automobile

Clearly, for those who’re taking extra, you’re going to want to insure more- which will increase the prices.

Make sure that it’s VERY clear who insures what. We as soon as discovered ourselves in a scenario the place our motorhome insurance coverage insured the van and trailer whereas towing, and our bike insurer insured the bikes whereas using, however NO-ONE insured the bikes while they had been ON the trailer being towed.

Enjoyable, huh?!

You want to ensure that your insurance coverage covers you and the motorhome whereas towing- not all do. If in case you have a tow automobile, it’s good to get motorhome tow automobile insurance coverage.

You additionally want to verify towing along with your motorhome or camper doesn’t invalidate your motorhome guarantee.

Motorhome Towing Automobile- Is it authorized to tow with an A-frame?

Okay, that is the place issues get difficult.

An A-frame is authorized for towing a automobile behind a motorhome within the UK, so long as it has the right gear (quantity plate, working lights and many others) and the GTW isn’t exceeded (see above.)

BUT…

A-frames are NOT thought-about authorized in most European international locations.

In truth, most international locations will cease and advantageous you for utilizing an A-frame to tow a automobile.

Let’s dive into this in additional element.

In lots of European international locations, an A-frame is ONLY allowed to be used as a restoration instrument by licensed restoration operators- not a method of towing whereas touring in your motorhome.

While many individuals do ‘get away with it’, there are many folks stopped and fined annually whereas motorhoming in France, Spain and lots of different international locations. The one possibility these counties allow is a correct trailer, which I do know many individuals dislike as a result of it’s a faff.

Downsides to towing with A-frames

That mentioned, A-frames have been identified to twist the physique of the automobile while it’s being towed, making them harmful and generally even undriveable.

There’s additionally an added threat in an accident, because the A-frame modifications imply you’ll trigger rather more harm must you hit one thing, or somebody!

The Vienna Conference

There may be an EU treaty referred to as the Vienna Conference, a part of which states (paraphrasing) {that a} automobile which is authorized in its personal nation can move via a member state, even when it doesn’t adjust to the legal guidelines in that state (so long as it stays for lower than 6 months.)

Nonetheless, this doesn’t apply to A-frames. Even the UK Gov web site recommends not utilizing an A-frame with out doing additional analysis into the principles of the nation you’ll be passing via.

Why are A-frames authorized within the UK and never in Europe? I’ve completely no concept, but it surely’s value being conscious of the legal guidelines for those who’re planning to tow a automobile overseas.

Bear in mind, this solely applies to A-frames. Trailers are advantageous, though you may want a inexperienced card out of your insurer for the trailer.

What’s the greatest motorhome for towing?

Weirdly, I get requested this query lots! Not all campervans and motorhomes are appropriate for towing. You additionally want to verify the camper will pull the load you need it to. There’s no ‘greatest’ motorhome, however if you wish to tow, make sure to decide a motorhome which is able to do the job.

Additionally, not all motorhomes can have a towbar fitted to them. Apparently, some chassis will not be appropriate. Bear this in thoughts in case you are trying to purchase a motorhome and wish to tow.

What’s the perfect automobile to drag behind a motorhome

We’ve by no means towed a automobile behind our motorhome, so can’t provide any recommendation on this, apart from a small one- keep in mind it’s good to take the load of the automobile into consideration for the GTW.

Until in fact you could have an American RV, through which case you may tow a pickup truck!

Motorhome towing- is it value it?

So, in spite of everything that, you in all probability suppose we’re mad for towing with a motorhome!! But it surely comes down to non-public alternative and why you’re travelling within the first place.

• In the event you desire campsites close to large sights with quick access to trains, buses, cycle routes and even rent automobiles, you then in all probability don’t have to tow something.
• In the event you head off into the wilds and wish to be as discreet as doable and/ or preserve prices down, you don’t have to tow
• However, for those who like to remain on a campsite and never transfer for every week, you may want one other automobile to pop to retailers or native sights. Towing a automobile with you is sensible then- or maybe rent one within the native space for just a few days.
• For us, we simply love having the ability to trip our bikes in stunning areas through the summer time. It’s value it for us once we select to take them.

What do you concentrate on towing with a motorhome? Is it one thing you do/ wish to do? Inform us why under

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