Whether towing a caravan, horsebox or trailer, using a 4WD vehicle to get the job done is certainly recommended. There are several 4×4 vehicles and pickup trucks that are top rated for towing, with the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara and Isuzu D-Max just some of the makes and models renowned for their towing capabilities.
4x4s are also great for towing if ground conditions are particularly poor as Four Wheel Trends explains:
“4×4 is necessary for towing when you’re facing situations with minimal traction. Some examples might be mud, snow, ice, gravel, or very irregular terrain. If you’re on muddy grounds and you need to tow something, then you need 4×4… 4×4 will help you have more traction, and therefore more chances of getting out of that challenging terrain. It also comes in handy when you’re going either up and down an incline with less than ideal traction.”
A solid 4×4 isn’t the only thing required to tow a trailer successfully however. Read on to discover our essential guide to towing a trailer with your 4×4.
Your vehicle’s towing capacity
The first thing you should know if you are preparing to tow a trailer is your vehicle’s towing capacity. This relates to the maximum weight a vehicle can tow legally. You can find the towing capacity of your vehicle in your handbook, but when towing a trailer or caravan that has a large, box-like profile, your towing capacity may not be all it seems.
With this in mind, experts recommend the ‘85% rule’, whereby the fully laden weight of the trailer is no heavier than 85% of the kerb weight of the vehicle towing it. Towing any more than 85% requires significant experience.
A word about UK towing laws
If you are planning to tow a trailer with your 4×4 in the UK, it is important to note that there are new rules for doing just that.
Prior to the law change, drivers with licences issued between 1st January 1997 and 18th January 2013 could drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM without any additional driving qualifications. Now those who passed their driving test from 1st January 1997 can tow trailers weighing up to 3,500kg MAM. Drivers with licences issued before 1st January 1997 remain unaffected.
You should also complete a series of basic safety checks before using your 4×4 to tow a trailer to avoid penalties. This includes checking that you are using the right tow ball and connections, and additional breakaway cables or secondary couplings for added trailer security.
The towing upgrades we’d recommend
Whatever your towing requirements, preparing your vehicle with the right upgrades is vital. Equipping your 4×4 with one of our ARB rear bumpers is the perfect place to begin. These bumpers are specifically designed for towing and off-road protection, delivering the heavy-duty towing system you need for optimum functionality and maximum strength. An ARB tow hitch can also be used in conjunction with compatible bumpers and bars.
By law, you should also have adequate towing mirrors fitted onto your vehicle if the trailer is wider than the rear of your 4×4.
Remember, practice makes perfect!
Practice certainly helps, especially when hitching a trailer to your 4×4, or reversing with a caravan or trailer in tow. Mastering the art before you take on a planned journey is therefore recommended. When towing a trailer for the first time, be sure to take your time, making use of all those upgrades we mentioned earlier.
