So you’re thinking about buying or hiring a horse trailer — good on ya. But before you hitch up and roll out, there’s one important question to ask: Can your car actually tow it?
Let’s break it down nice and simple.
Find Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity
Every vehicle has a maximum towing limit, and thankfully, it’s not a guessing game. You can usually find it in:
Your car’s owner’s handbook
The VIN plate (also called the chassis plate), usually found under the bonnet or near the driver’s door
You’re looking for a number that tells you how much weight your car can legally and safely tow — both with and without brakes.
What the Numbers Mean
The VIN plate usually lists 3 or 4 numbers. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
This is your car’s max weight when fully loaded — including fuel, passengers, dogs, snacks... the lot.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
This is the combined max weight of your car and whatever you’re towing.
Axle Loads
These are the max weights for your front and rear axles — good to know, but not essential for basic towing maths.
How to Work Out Your Towing Limit
To work out how much you can tow, use this simple formula:
GTW - GVW = Max Towing Capacity
So if your GTW is 4200kg and your GVW is 2505kg, your maximum towing capacity is:
4200 - 2505 = 1695kg
That’s your car’s limit including a fully loaded trailer (horse and all).
Important Notes
The trailer must be within this limit — going over can void your insurance, get you fined, or worse, cause a serious accident.
This weight includes everything inside the trailer — horses, tack, hay bales, and anything else you chuck in.
Some cars — especially smaller city cars, hybrids, or performance models — aren’t designed to tow at all. If there’s no GTW listed on your VIN plate, it likely means your car isn’t rated for towing.
Need a Hand?
Still not sure? No worries. If you’re booking a trailer through Brent, our team’s always happy to help you double-check. We’ve helped plenty of first-time towers get sorted without a sweat.
Final Thought: Know Your Numbers Before You Tow
Before you hire or buy a horse trailer, check your car’s towing limits. It’s quick, easy, and could save you a ton of trouble. After that, you're ready to get your hoofin' passengers moving.
Need a horse trailer? You know where to click!
-Brent