Can my car tow a 3.5 tonne flat top trailer?
Your car needs to be rated for the trailer plus whatever you put on it. The trailer weighs 1030 kg empty and up to 3500 kg fully loaded. Lighter loads need less.
What your car needs
- Braked towing capacity at least as high as the loaded trailer. It's in your owner's manual.
- A towbar and tow ball rated at least as high. The towbar plate shows its maximum towing mass and tow ball download.
- Tow ball download: aim for about 10% of the loaded trailer weight on the ball, within your car's and towbar's limits.
- A 7-pin flat trailer socket for the lights and brakes. If your car has a different socket, you'll need an adapter.
You don't need a brake controller in your car. The trailer has its own Elecbrakes EB2. It also has an ARK break-away unit, which puts the trailer brakes on if it ever comes off the tow ball.
Plenty of current dual-cab utes and large 4WDs are rated to tow 3500 kg braked. Many SUVs and wagons are rated for less. Go by your own manual and towbar plate, not a general list.
Quick check
Put in your numbers. It's a guide only; your manual and towbar plate are what count.
Licence rules in NSW
- Full or green P (P2) licence: you can tow it, as long as your car is rated for the weight.
- Red P (P1): you can't. P1 drivers can only tow trailers that weigh 250 kg or less empty, and this one is 1030 kg.
- Learners can't tow in NSW.
- P-platers need a P plate on the back of the trailer.
Rules change, so check the NSW Government towing page if you're unsure. Some cars also have a gross combination mass (GCM) that limits towing when the car itself is fully loaded, so check your manual if you're close to the limit.
Car checks out? Here's the calendar.
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