At Upper Hutt Hire, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Can I tow that?”
It’s a great question. And an important one.
To make things easier for our customers, much of our equipment is provided on dedicated trailers. This makes pickup and return simple, but it also means you need to be sure your vehicle can tow the load safely and legally.
If you have a standard Class 1 licence, here’s what you need to know.
Rule # 1. Check Your Tow Bar and Vehicle Rating
Every vehicle and tow bar has a manufacturer’s towing capacity. This specifies:
– The maximum braked trailer weight
– The maximum unbraked trailer weight
– The maximum downward force on the tow ball (tow ball load).
Never exceed these limits—they are both legal and safety requirements.
You’ll usually find this information in your vehicle manual, on the tow bar plate or by checking with the manufacturer
Rule #2 Can Your Vehicle Stop Safely?
New Zealand law requires that a vehicle and trailer combination must be able to stop within 7 metres from 30 km/h.
This is where many people underestimate risk. For example, towing towing a fully loaded 2000kg trailer behind a small car (like a Toyota Corolla) may be technically possible but unsafe and likely illegal due to necessary stopping distance.
Waka Kotahi suggest that the laden weight of an unbraked trailer should not exceed 75% of the towing vehicle’s weight. Your vehicle’s brakes and tyres must be in good condition. And it’s not just about towing; it’s about control and stopping power.
Rule #3 Trailer Brake Requirements (NZ Rules)
Trailer braking requirements depend on the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM):
Up to 2000kg GVM:
– No legal requirement for brakes
– However strongly recommended for safety
2000kg to 2500kg GVM:
– Must have brakes on at least one axle. These brakes can be override brakes, or cab-controlled brakes.
– The trailer must also have dual safety chains, or a breakaway braking system
2501kg to 3500kg GVM
The trailer must have a cab-controlled brakes or breakaway system. It must also include a parking brake capable of holding on a 1 in 5 slope
Rule #4: Your Licence Matters
If you have a Learner or Restricted (Class 1), the total combined weight towing vehicle, trailer, load and passengers must not exceed 4500kg.
If you have a full Class 1 licence, the total combined weight towing vehicle, trailer, load and passengers must not exceed 6000kg.
So… Can You Tow It?
Before you hitch up, ask yourself:
• Is the trailer within my vehicle’s towing rating?
• Can my vehicle safely stop the load?
• Does the trailer meet braking requirements?
• Am I within my licence limits?
If you’re unsure, just ask us.
Talk to the Team at Upper Hutt Hire. We’re here to make hiring easy and safe.
We’ll help you:
• Choose the right equipment
• Match it with the right trailer
• Make sure you’re towing legally and safely
Visit us at 20 Goodshed Road, Upper Hutt . We are a family-owned independent equipment hire company, proudly serving the Hutt Valley since 2014. We supply reliable equipment to both trade professionals and homeowners and are committed to practical, cost-effective solutions. We won the HIANZ Small Hire Company of the Year award in 2024. Our customers trust us with a Google ranking of 4.8 / 5.0 with 175 reviews.
