How much weight can my car tow?

It is a question that many car owners ask themselves: how much can my car actually tow? Whether you are driving a caravan, camper or want to drive a trailer, it is crucial to know what the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle is. This depends on various factors such as the type of car, the engine capacity and the specific guidelines of the manufacturer. In this blog we will take a closer look at how many kilograms a car can tow and how this is determined.

Where can you find out how much weight your car can tow?

You may be wondering: how much weight can my car tow and where can I find this information? You can usually find this on your registration certificate. For a commercial vehicle, you can find the towing weight in the certificate of conformity. You can also find on your registration certificate which driving licence you are allowed to drive with which towing weight. On a driving licence B, you are normally allowed to tow a trailer weight of 750 kilograms. If you have a caravan with a higher weight, for example, a supplementary driving licence (BE) is required.

What determines the maximum towing weight?

How much your car can tow is first determined by the manufacturer. Your car is first subjected to a number of tests based on which the maximum towing weight is determined. What a car can tow depends on the following factors:

• Weight of the car
• Dimensions of the car
• The drivetrain
• Engine pulling power

Be careful with hybrid and electric cars

At all electric or hybrid cars the towing weight is often lower than with the same cars in a diesel version. Fully electric cars cannot tow trailers, with a few exceptions. The only electric cars that are allowed to do this are:

• Audi e-tron
• Mercedes-Benz EQC
• Tesla Model X
• Tesla Model 3
• Tesla Model Y
• Kia e-Niro
• Volkswagen ID.4
• Mercedes-Benz EQC
• Polestar 2
• Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge
• Skoda Enyaq iV RS
• Ford Mustang Mach E

Please note that these electric cars also have restrictions on towing weight, many electric cars are not allowed to tow more than 1000 kilograms. In addition, the range of your car decreases drastically.

How much can my car tow with a B driving license?

It was mentioned above, but if you have a standard driver's license (driver's license B), you are allowed to tow a caravan, trailer or camper of up to 750 kilograms. However, you are also allowed to tow a weight of more than 750 kilograms, provided that the total weight of the car in combination with the trailer does not exceed 3500 kilograms. Therefore, check this carefully before you do that trailer hitches and you go out with it.

How many kg can my car tow with a BE or B+ driving license?

If the combination of the car and trailer is larger than 3500 kilograms, but smaller than 4250 kilograms, you can drive this combination with a B+ driving license. With a BE driving license you are allowed to tow a trailer of 3500 kilograms and in some cases even one that is heavier than 3500 kilograms.

How much weight can my car tow as a train weight?

The instruction booklet of your car states the so-called train weight. This weight is determined by the car manufacturer and consists of the maximum weight of the trailer including luggage and of your car. This maximum weight consists of the empty weight of your car and any occupants with luggage.

Consequences of driving with a car that is overloaded

It is dangerous for yourself and others to drive a towing combination that is too heavy, because you can swerve in the bends and winding roads. In addition, too much weight can cause damage to the chassis of your car, the suspension or the engine. The police therefore regularly check for overload and the fines are considerable if you drive with a combination that is too heavy. In addition, the police also decide during the check whether you are allowed to continue your journey. Therefore, always check your car in a so-called holiday checkThis way you can detect wear in advance.