Towing Percentages Explained (Calmly)
Towing percentages are one of the most commonly quoted — and most misunderstood — ideas in caravanning.
They’re often presented as firm rules, clear thresholds, or lines you must never cross. For many caravanners, they become a source of stress, especially when a perfectly sensible setup appears “wrong” according to a single percentage figure.
This page explains what towing percentages actually are, where they came from, and how to think about them calmly — without treating them as hard rules or ignoring them completely.
What towing percentages actually are
A towing percentage is simply a comparison between:
the car’s kerb weight, and
the caravan’s loaded weight (usually MTPLM)
It’s expressed as a percentage to give a rough idea of how much influence the caravan might have on the car.
For example:
A lighter caravan behind a heavier car = lower percentage
A heavier caravan behind a lighter car = higher percentage
That’s all a percentage is trying to describe.
Why percentages became so popular
Percentages gained popularity because they’re:
easy to calculate
easy to share
easy to repeat
They offer a simple shorthand in a space that otherwise involves multiple figures, limits, and variables.
For beginners especially, percentages can feel reassuring because they appear to offer certainty in a confusing area.
The problem is that they’re often used beyond their original purpose.
The common percentages you’ll hear
You’ll often see figures like:
85%
90%
100%
These numbers are usually described as:
“recommended”
“maximum”
or “safe limits”
In reality, these percentages are guidelines, not laws, and they were never intended to replace proper understanding of a towing setup.
There is no legal towing percentage in the UK.
What percentages do not tell you
This is where problems start.
Towing percentages don’t account for:
wheelbase
suspension design
load distribution
noseweight
driving style
road conditions
Two setups with the same percentage can behave very differently on the road.
Percentages also don’t tell you how comfortable or predictable a setup will feel — only how it compares on paper.
Why relying on percentages can cause anxiety
When percentages are treated as pass/fail rules, they create unnecessary pressure.
People end up thinking:
“I’m just over the recommended figure — am I unsafe?”
“Someone else says this percentage is fine — who’s right?”
“Do I need to change everything?”
This turns a helpful guideline into a source of constant second-guessing.
Confidence doesn’t come from chasing a number — it comes from understanding how the whole outfit behaves.
When percentages can be useful
Percentages aren’t useless.
They can be helpful:
as a starting point
when comparing two potential setups
when highlighting a match that’s likely to feel more relaxed
Lower percentages generally offer larger margins and can feel easier to tow, particularly for new caravanners.
The key is to treat percentages as context, not judgement.
What matters more than percentages
Several factors have more influence on real-world towing than a single percentage:
Staying comfortably within legal limits
Sensible loading and balanced noseweight
A car that suits the towing task
Predictable handling and stability
How the outfit feels at realistic speeds
These things determine confidence far more reliably than a calculation alone.
A calmer way to think about towing suitability
Instead of asking:
“What percentage am I at?”
Try asking:
“Does this setup feel settled, predictable, and within sensible margins?”
Towing works best when you stop trying to pass a theoretical test and start focusing on how the whole outfit behaves together.
Percentages can inform your thinking — but they shouldn’t dominate it.
Once you understand what they can and can’t tell you, towing percentages stop being something to worry about and become just another reference point.
Where Next?
How to Match a Car to a Caravan (Calmly)