If you’re hitting the open road with a caravan for the first time, or you’re looking to upgrade your existing car for another model, you’ll need to know if your car is big enough to tow a caravan.

Not every car can tow a caravan or trailer – some are just too small to handle all that extra weight. But most cars can manage a trailer or caravan up to a certain weight. Your car’s manufacturer will set that amount, and you’ll need to know what it is before you hitch a trailer or a caravan to your car.

Check your car’s owner’s manual. You should find a few figures related to maximum towing capacity, as well as an indication of how much downward weight your car’s towball can safely take.

For example, when towing a caravan/trailer with trailer brakes, the 2015 Mitsubishi Pajero has a maximum towing capacity of 3,000kg. If the trailer or caravan does not have trailer brakes, the maximum towable weight is 750kg. Meanwhile the towball download weight is 180kg.

Knowing these figures will help you tow your caravan or trailer with confidence.

Happy caravanning.