What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
How much weight is it safe to tow with our car?
I am interested in a 2.5i Subaru Outback which is plated to tow 2 tonnes. Our trailer plus horse is 1350kg. 85% of the Outback's kerb weight of 1612kg is 1370kg, so scrapes in the Caravan Club's old "85%" rule so I should be able to stay both legal and safe. Do you think I need to be aware of anything else? I have to say that I'm not sure about the CC's advice as it would mean that the big Land Rovers, Land Cruisers and Shoguns of the world would only be able to tow about 1.5 tonnes against the 3.5 they all claim.
Asked on 14 July 2018 by watney
Answered by
Honest John
The CC "85% rule" is for towing two wheel caravans with two wheel drive cars. It's because light and boxy caravans are less stable things to tow than, for example, a racing car on a trailer.
Similar questions
I have a Mercedes C200 mild hybrid. Can I tow a caravan with this make and model?
I am planning to replace my Land Rover Freelander 2 with a pure electric car. The car must have a towbar. I can't find any current pure electric models that allow this. Will this be the case in the future?
I live in London within a mile of the proposed new extended boundary of the South/North Circular for the ULEZ, due to start in October 2021. I drive a 2013 Kia Sorento CRDi, which I need to tow my caravan...
Related models
Supremely confident in all weathers and on all roads, excellent level of standard equipment, large boot and spacious cabin.