A good tow car is not simply the vehicle with the largest number in a brochure. Irish buyers need three things to line up: the car’s plated towing capacity, the trailer’s actual and plated weight, and the driver’s licence entitlement. If one of those is wrong, engine power is irrelevant.
RSA guidance states that a Category B licence can cover a trailer over 750 kg only where the combined design gross vehicle weight of car and trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg. A BE licence can cover larger combinations within its rules. Check the current RSA guidance for your exact setup before buying.
Browse used cars on WazerMart after you know the trailer weights you actually need to move.
Start With the Trailer Plate
Find the trailer’s DGVW, not just what you think it weighs empty. RSA defines DGVW as the maximum design weight including the load. Also check the car’s DGVW and the manufacturer’s maximum braked trailer weight.
If you own a caravan, horsebox, plant trailer or boat trailer already, photograph the plates before shopping. It prevents you from buying an attractive SUV that is legally or mechanically wrong for the job.
Skoda Kodiaq: Strong Family-Towing Compromise
Older Irish Kodiaq specifications list up to 2,000 kg braked towing capacity on several 2.0 TDI variants. That, combined with family space, explains the model’s appeal to caravan and rural buyers.
But exact variants differ. A petrol front-wheel-drive version and a diesel 4x4 are not interchangeable. Verify the VIN-specific figure and inspect any used towbar installation carefully.
Large Diesel SUVs Still Make Sense for Repeated Towing
Models such as Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Volvo XC60/XC90 and BMW X3/X5 can be strong tow vehicles depending on generation. Diesel torque is useful, but the purchase should account for the car’s ordinary use too. A large diesel that tows six weekends per year and only does short school runs the rest of the time may be the wrong compromise.
Look at cooling-system history, automatic transmission servicing, tyres, rear suspension and brakes. Regular towing increases the importance of every one of those items.
Estates Can Be Better Than SUVs
A Skoda Superb, Volvo V60/V90 or Volkswagen Passat estate may tow very effectively while giving a lower centre of gravity and better everyday fuel economy than a large SUV. Ground clearance and 4WD needs decide whether that works for your routes.
Do not buy an SUV purely because the trailer exists. Buy the vehicle whose rated capacity and daily behaviour both fit.
Hybrids and EVs Need Exact-Variant Checks
Electrified cars can have excellent torque but towing approval varies widely by model and generation. Some hybrids have strong ratings; some have modest limits; some older EVs were not approved for towing at all.
Never infer towing capacity from power output. Use the manufacturer plate/manual for the exact registration.
Used Tow-Car Inspection
A towbar tells you the car may have worked hard, but that is not automatically bad. Ask what it towed and how often. Then inspect:
- rear tyre wear
- brake condition
- rear dampers and springs
- clutch condition on manuals
- automatic gearbox service evidence
- cooling system
- towbar wiring and socket
- chassis/body mounting points
Professional, documented towing is often less concerning than a vague owner who “only pulled a little trailer now and then.”
Nose Weight, Payload and Passengers
A car can be within trailer weight limits and still be overloaded once passengers, luggage and towball load are added. Check payload and nose-weight limits in the manual. A family of five with holiday luggage changes the calculation compared with one driver towing an empty trailer.
Bottom Line
Choose a tow car with a calculator before choosing it with your eyes. Know the trailer DGVW, licence entitlement, car DGVW, towing capacity and payload. Then compare drivetrains and comfort.
A correctly matched estate can be better than an oversized SUV; a diesel 4x4 can be worth the extra complexity when the towing work justifies it. The legal numbers and the service history should decide the shortlist.
Sources and Further Reading
- RSA: Towing and Vehicle Towing Capacity
- RSA: Licence Category for Towing
- Skoda Ireland: Kodiaq Product Guide
- CCPC: Buying a Car
