Buying Guide

Count the berths you will actually use. Fixed beds (island, French or twin singles) save making up the lounge every night; end washrooms give the most space; front lounges are best for daytime living.

MIRO is the weight as built. MTPLM is the legal maximum fully loaded. The difference is your payload for gas, battery, awning and luggage — aim for at least 150 kg for a family.

For stable towing, keep the caravan's loaded weight at or below 85% of your car's kerb weight. Experienced towers may go up to 100%, but never beyond the car's legal braked towing limit.

Most caravans should sit at around 5–7% of their laden weight on the hitch, within the lower of your towbar and car limits. A noseweight gauge costs a few pounds and is worth having.

Single-axle tourers are lighter and easier to manoeuvre by hand. Twin axles are more stable on the road and suit longer, heavier layouts, but cost more to tyre and service.

Since 16 December 2021 a full car licence covers towing up to 3,500 kg trailer MAM. Taking a towing course is still a smart first step for new caravanners.

Allow around 7ft (about 21 hands) of inside height for horses up to 16.2hh. Taller warmbloods and shires need 7ft 6in or more.

A two-horse trailer suits most owners. Three- and four-horse trailers add length and weight, usually needing a heavy 4x4 or pick-up.

Add the trailer weight, horses (500–650 kg each for most riding horses) and tack. The total must stay within your vehicle braked towing limit and the 3,500 kg car-licence limit.

Aluminium trailers are lighter and resist corrosion; steel is cheaper and simple to repair. Either way, lift the mats and check the floor every year.

A dressing or tack room keeps saddles out of the horse area. Rear and front ramps make loading and unloading nervous horses much easier.

Enclosed and lockable — ideal for tools, stock, market stalls, festivals and moving house. Rear doors or ramps suit mowers and bikes.

Open mesh or solid sides for garden waste, tip runs and loose materials. Light and inexpensive to tow.

Low decks and loading ramps for quads, karts, mobility scooters and motorbikes, with tie-down points built in.

Trailers over 750 kg gross must be braked. Many cars can only tow 600–750 kg unbraked, so a braked trailer often doubles what you can safely carry.

New road trailers should be type approved with a certificate of conformity. Farm and ATV tipping trailers are designed for private land.

Check whether you need a 7-pin or 13-pin connection, and fit a number plate matching the tow vehicle.

Around 7.4 m² of floor space. Good for garden, allotment or small-business storage where access is tight.

Around 14 m² — the contents of a two- to three-bedroom house, or a site tool and materials store.

Around 28 m², for bulk storage, farm and plant storage, or large conversions. High-cube versions add an extra foot (30 cm) of height.

New or "one-trip" containers are near-showroom and best for conversions. Cargo-worthy units are structurally certified; wind and watertight units are sound for storage with cosmetic wear.

Insulated and refrigerated containers, site offices, welfare units and flat-pack cabins are ready for work with doors, windows, lighting and linings fitted.

HIAB crane or tilt-bed delivery needs firm, level ground and clear lorry access. Permanent placement or use as an office or accommodation usually needs planning permission — check with your local authority.