The growing interest in campers means that nothing else is talked about; In fact, the market responds with a constant trickle of new developments such as those we discovered during the 2023 International Caravaning Show. However, family tradition maintains the love for the caravan segment, which continues to have notable weight in Spain. If you have lived a childhood of camping and fun, you are probably thinking about buying a motorhome, but can your car tow a caravan?
Despite prejudices and preconceived ideas, a caravan can be an option for traveling families or couples wanting to discover the world. It is also good to use it as a mobile second residence, taking advantage of the summer and winter seasons to locate it in the most interesting corners of our country. Luckily, we have a network of campsites recognized at European level for their quality in service and facilities, so it doesn't hurt to take advantage of it.
Whatever your objective, you will need to know if your vehicle is suitable for transporting this home from one place to another and there are various considerations to take into account: weight, towing capacity and overall dynamism. For these attributes to work in our favor, it is important to choose a caravan that fits the car or, on the contrary, decide on a car capable of towing without problems the model that meets certain needs.
The range of caravans is very wide, as many different families and couples exist. We can find authentic luxury apartments like the Adria Astella, but also classic and small alternatives like the Hymer Eriba. In the grays there is an infinite number of possibilities, configurations, sizes and weights, a fact that will be key when deciding.
In Spain, the limitation of the scale is set by the set created by the towing vehicle and the trailer itself. For this reason, the first aspect that you should assess is the car's defect, which is cataloged with the letter G in the technical sheet itself. Next, we will look at the Maximum Authorized Mass (MMA) and the tare weight of the caravan, which is identified with the digits F2 in its manual.
The legislation that applies to caravans is like that of any trailer, so you will be able to drive a set of less than 3,500 kilograms with a B license. If you exceed that weight, you will need a specific permit known as b-96, which allows transport heavier modules and expands the range of large models available.
The sum, as we mentioned previously, must be made between the two maximum authorized masses (F2). Once this first obstacle has been overcome, it will be necessary to study the Maximum Towable Mass of the car O.1.3 and, logically, it must be higher than F.2 of the caravan. For this reason, manufacturers work hard to reduce tare weight as much as possible and get closer to the ideal figure of 750 kilograms, which also avoids technical inspections of the caravan.
The numbers are in your favor, but there are still key details missing to make your trip a safe and comfortable journey. The first, and essential if you are going to tow any object, is to have a hitch for this, the so-called tow ball with its electrical connector so that the brake light and turn signal commands are replicated in the rear lights of the caravan. This accessory, which can be mounted afterwards, requires approval and, therefore, must undergo the ITV.
So much for the theory that will guide the decision to buy one caravan or another, but what happens with the car. When walking around a campsite you detect a certain tendency towards a certain style of vehicle and there is a reason. Power is important when it comes to ensuring a certain stability and driving comfort when towing a caravan, as well as consumption adjusted to overload.
Caravan operators' associations recommend engines above 120 HP and that the scale of the empty car read 20% higher than that of the loaded caravan. In this article we detail the best cars for towing caravans.
