UK and EU Towing Licences for Fifth Wheels: A Simple Guide
Thinking about towing a fifth wheel caravan in the UK or across Europe can raise quick questions about licences, weights, and legal kit. This guide gives you a clear, practical overview so you can plan with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Are fifth wheel trailers legal in the UK and Europe?
Yes, fifth wheel trailers are legal in the UK and across Europe when they meet local construction and use rules, and when your tow vehicle and coupling are correctly rated and installed. In the UK, you must use an approved fifth wheel hitch fitted to a compatible pickup, observe manufacturer limits for towing and payload, and keep within axle and tyre ratings. In the EU, road legality hinges on type approved equipment and adherence to national weight, speed, and overtaking restrictions. Eurocruiser units are engineered for UK and European compliance, which allows you to register and tour legally when paired with a suitable pickup and approved hitch.
What licence do you need to tow a fifth wheel?
The licence you need depends on when you passed your test and the actual weight figures of your tow vehicle and trailer. For most private owners towing with a pickup, two licence categories are relevant.
Category B
If you passed your UK car test before 16 December 2021, you already have the right to tow trailers over 750 kg with a car or pickup within the standard rules. If you passed after that date, BE towing rights were added to your licence automatically by DVLA. In practice, Category B covers typical pickups towing trailers, provided truck and trailer weights stay within manufacturer and legal limits. Always verify your licence categories on the back of your photocard.
Category BE
Lets you tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) up to 3,500 kg behind a vehicle up to 3,500 kg MAM. This is the common setup for fifth wheels designed for European roads when paired with a 3.5 tonne pickup.
If your pickup or combination exceeds light vehicle limits, you move into C1 or C1E territory. This is rare for leisure fifth wheels but essential to check if you consider heavier trucks or specialist conversions.
Key weight terms, made simple
Getting the weight language right helps you pick the correct licence and tow vehicle.
- MAM or GVW: The maximum authorised mass of a vehicle or trailer when fully loaded. For the pickup, this is on the VIN plate and in the handbook. For the fifth wheel, consult the data plate or specification.
- GTW or GCW: The maximum combined weight the tow vehicle can legally move.
- Pin weight: The portion of trailer weight that presses down through the fifth wheel pin into the pickup bed. It counts against the pickup’s payload. Typical pin weight is around 15 to 25 percent of the trailer’s actual loaded weight but always use the maker’s stated figure and weigh your combination once loaded.
- Axle weights: Legal and safe operation requires staying under each axle’s rating on both truck and trailer.
Why it matters: If your trailer MAM is up to 3,500 kg and your pickup is within 3,500 kg GVW, BE is usually sufficient. If the trailer or combination exceeds these figures, different categories may apply. In all cases, you must remain under the pickup’s towing limit, gross train weight, payload, and axle ratings.
Approved hitch and installation
A road legal fifth wheel setup requires an approved fifth wheel hitch, correctly rated for your trailer’s pin load and gross weight, and installed using an engineered bed rail or under bed system. The installation should not compromise the pickup’s structure or interfere with safety systems. In the UK and EU, stick to CE or UKCA marked components with clear load ratings, and ensure the mounting kit is specified for your pickup model. Keep documentation of the hitch, rails, and professional installation, since it supports insurance and roadside compliance.
If you are exploring truck options, start with the pickup’s payload figure. It must comfortably cover pin weight plus passengers, fuel, tools, and accessories. Our team can advise on pairings and provide detailed guidance on the right 5th wheel towing hitch for your truck and trailer combination.
Do you need a towing licence for a caravan or fifth wheel?
You need the correct entitlement on your photocard. For most modern car licences in the UK, towing entitlement is included and covers typical leisure combinations. The practical limit usually comes from weights, not missing licence codes. If your fifth wheel trailer MAM is above 3,500 kg, or if you decide to tow with a heavier truck, you may need additional categories such as C1E. The only reliable answer is to match your specific pickup and trailer weights against your licence categories, then confirm the truck’s manufacturer limits.
UK and EU rules to keep in mind
- Length and width: Most fifth wheels fall within UK and EU dimensional limits when slide outs are retracted. Check the spec sheet, particularly height when route planning for bridges and ferries.
- Speed limits: Vary by country. Many EU states set lower limits for vehicles towing trailers, and some restrict overtaking on certain roads. UK motorway limit for car plus trailer is 60 mph.
- Braking and breakaway: Your fifth wheel must have efficient brakes and an approved breakaway system.
- Lighting and plates: Conformity of rear lights, reflectors, and number plates is required. If touring abroad, carry documents showing conformity or type approval.
- Insurance and recovery: Inform your insurer about the hitch installation and towing use. Some breakdown policies have length or weight limits.
Common scenarios answered
- What licence do I need for a 5th wheel caravan in the UK? In most private cases, BE entitlement covers a pickup up to 3,500 kg GVW towing a fifth wheel up to 3,500 kg MAM, provided all vehicle limits are respected. Heavier combinations may require C1E.
- Do I need a towing licence for a caravan? You need the correct category on your photocard. Current UK car licences include towing rights suitable for many caravan and fifth wheel setups. Check your categories and weight limits.
- Are 5th wheel trailers legal in the UK? Yes, with an approved hitch, a suitably rated pickup, and compliance with weight, lighting, and braking rules. Insurance and documentation should reflect the hitch and usage.
How to check your combination in five steps
- Confirm the trailer’s MAM and typical pin weight from the manufacturer plate and handbook.
- Check the pickup’s GVW, GTW, maximum braked towing capacity, axle limits, and payload.
- Subtract realistic passenger and cargo weight from payload, then see if the remaining capacity covers pin weight with margin.
- Verify your licence categories against the combination, usually BE for leisure towing up to 3,500 kg trailer MAM.
- Use an approved hitch, professionally installed, and keep all paperwork for insurance and roadside checks.
If you are considering a midsize pickup, review specific guidance such as Ford Ranger towing capacity to understand payload vs pin weight trade offs.
Powered by Eurocruiser: expert pairing and compliance
Eurocruiser supports you from first questions to first tour. As one of two European manufacturers with type approval valid across EU countries, our models are engineered for cross border legality when paired with the right pickup and hitch. We will help you balance GVW, GTW, and pin weight, choose an approved coupling, and plan servicing for safe, year round touring.
Book a free towing compatibility consultation to confirm your licence fit, vehicle pairing, and hitch requirements. Call 0800 228 9069 or email sales@eurocruiser.co.uk, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, with weekend appointments on request. If you are researching models, explore our luxury caravans to see how space, insulation, and slide outs can work for your style of travel.
Summary
- Fifth wheels are legal in the UK and EU with an approved hitch, a compatible pickup, and full compliance with weight and equipment rules.
- For most leisure setups, BE entitlement covers towing a fifth wheel up to 3,500 kg MAM behind a pickup up to 3,500 kg GVW. Heavier combinations may require C1E.
- Pin weight counts against pickup payload, so verify payload, axle limits, and towing capacity.
- Keep installation and approval documents for the hitch, and follow national speed and overtaking rules when touring abroad.
Ready to confirm your setup and hit the road with confidence? Book your compatibility consultation today.