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24 Summer 2022 INSURANCE INSIGHTS CAN I TOW? e Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announced in September 2021 that caravan and trailer driving tests would no longer be required. e Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will update driving licence records automatically and all drivers, regardless as to when you passed your car licence, can now tow trailers up to 3,500kgMaximumAuthorisedMass (MAM). CARAVAN WEIGHT Reducing the weight of the contents of your caravan can improve the handling and stability as well as potentially improving your fuel consumption, which can save you money. e total weight of your baggage should not exceed your caravan’s stated maximum user payload. Exceeding this is against the law and will therefore invalidate your insurance. It may also impact your towing performance, such as accelerating uphill and general stability. LOADING YOUR CARAVAN When loading your caravan, it is important to keep the centre of gravity as low and as close to the caravan’s axles as possible during transit. is is particularly important for heavy items, such as awning poles, folding chairs and cooking implements. Of course, you can always store heavy items in the boot of your car. REDUCING YOUR PAYLOAD If you’re close to your payload limit it’s worth trying to reduce this any way you can. One method is to towwith empty water tanks as they can easily be lled up once you arrive at your destination and this can help to reduce the payload signi cantly. HOW TO CHOOSE A SUITABLE TOW CAR When looking at a car you plan to tow with it is important that you check the towing capacity of the vehicle as the weight of the caravan cannot exceed this. CHOOSING A CAR TO TOW A CARAVAN It is crucial that you look at the amount of storage space, fuel e ciency and the chassis. ese aspects of a car can have a signi cant impact on their towing suitability. For example, cars with a higher miles per gallon (mpg) gure will typically make towing more a ordable, while it is considered that 4WD vehicles are generally better for towing as they o er more grip and stability. ARE DIESEL CARS THE BEST FOR TOWING? e pulling power, or torque, is a measure of engine performance and good torque at low speeds allows for easy pulling away and minimal gear-changing. Diesel cars are generally considered good tow cars due to their low-down torque: for many years they have been popular with people looking to tow caravans, horseboxes and trailers. One of the great things about a caravan holiday is the ability to take all of your creature comforts with you. However, when packing up for a holiday there are a few important things to keep in mind. HOW TO LOAD YOUR CARAVAN FOR SAFER TOWING