Author: Gary WhiteWhether you need to move a tiny trailer or huge triple axle tipping trailer, choosing the best tow vehicle isn't just a matter of comfort. It's also a safety, security and legal issue. Large caravans, sailng boats and horse trailers weigh a lot and if you want to pull such heavy loads you need the right tow car. But there are not that many models that have the towing capacity to pull such weights safely and legally. Another factor to consider is whether the car has all-wheel drive, so you don't get stuck in field or on the waters edge.
Every car has what is called a maximum towing capacity, which is the total weight it can legally tow. You can find this in your vehicle's owner's manual or brochure. Unless you're very familiar with towing, it's best to keep your towing weight within 85% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity, just to be on the safe side.
Not every SUV, 4x4 or crossover is able to tow a weight of up to 3000kg (3 tons). If you often have to pull heavy loads, you need a car that is durable, strong and reliable. Therefore, in the table below, we have provided a list of some of the most popular vehicles that can tow at least 3 tons and are available to buy new and second hand.
Most popular cars, SUVs and 4x4's that can tow 3000kg
• VW Touareg (3000+ kg)• BMW X5 (3000+ kg)
• BMW X7 (3000+ kg)
• Land Rover Defender (3000+ kg)
• Land Rover Discovery (3000+ kg)
• Audi SQ7 (3000+ kg)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee (3000+ kg)
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport (3000+ kg)
• Land Rover Range Rover (3000+ kg)
• Mercedes GLE (3000+ kg)
• Mercedes GLE Coupe (3000+ kg)
• Mercedes GLS (3000+ kg)
• Mercedes G class (3000+ kg)
• Ford Ranger (3000+ kg)
• Toyota Hilux (3000+ kg)
• Porsche Cayenne (3000+ kg)
• Porsche Cayenne Coupe (3000+ kg)
• BMW X6 (3000+ kg)
• BMW X7 (3000+ kg)
• Toyota Land Cruiser (3000 kg)
A Braked or unbraked trailer – the differences
Every car has what is called a maximum towing capacity, which is the total weight it can legally tow. You can find this in your vehicle's owner's manual or brochure. Unless you're very familiar with towing, it's best to keep your towing weight within 85% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity, just to be on the safe side.Whenever you look at the technical details of a car, you will always find two figures listed under the towing capacity. These are the maximum 'braked' and 'unbraked' limits. An unbraked trailer does not have its own brakes and in the UK and Europe may have a maximum weight of 750kg. That's why unbraked trailers are often referred to as "light trailers" - these are normally single axel trailer that are used for transporting small light loads. Accordingly, a braked trailer is one that has an overrun brake. That's why heavier and all trailers that can carry up to 3000kg (3 tonnes) will always have their own brakes.
We have provided a comprehensive list of all the cars that can tow up to 3000kg. The towing capacity is a term used to describe the maximum weight of a trailer that a vehicle can tow. If you are towing a trailer with four or six wheels when you should prbably look for a car with a towing capacity of 3000kg.
For those models of car with a towing capacity of 3000kg, we have detailed the make and model of the car where the maximum braked towing capacity is 3000kg (this is when the trailer being towed has its own breaking system). To ensure you are both safe and legal it is really important that you check the towing weight limit for the car with the manufacturer.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the towing weights provided on this website are accurate, we always recommend checking the vehicle log book (V5) for the official towing capacity. We accept no responsibility if the towing weights provided on this website are incorrect.
| Car Make & Model | Max Towing Weight - Unbraked | Max Towing Capacity - Braked |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 (2007 - 2013) 4.4 xDrive X5M 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| BMW X6 (2008 - 2014) 4.4 xDrive X6M 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HEV Autobiography 4d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HEV SVAutobiography LWB 4d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2013 onwards) 5.0 V8 S/C SVAutobiography 4d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2013 onwards) Autobiography 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid LWB auto 4d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover (2013 onwards) Vogue SE 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid auto 4d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic (7 seat) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HEV Autobiography Dynamic (7seat) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HSE (7 seat) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HSE 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HSE Dynamic (7 seat) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) 3.0 SDV6 HSE Dynamic 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) Autobiography Dynamic 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid (7 seater) au | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) Autobiography Dynamic 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid auto 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013 onwards) HSE Dynamic 3.0 SDV6 Hybrid auto 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) Barbarian 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) SG2 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) SG2 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) SG3 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) SG4 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) SG5 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (187bhp) Warrior 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) Barbarian 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) Barbarian 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) Equippe 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) Equippe 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) SG2 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC (197bhp) Warrior 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC Barbarian 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC Barbarian 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC SG2 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC SG2 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC Warrior (10/14-) 3d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Mitsubishi Shogun (2007 onwards) 3.2 DI-DC Warrior 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi (171ps) Acenta 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi (171ps) Tekna 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi (171ps) Tekna 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Acenta 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Aventura 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Aventura 5d (171ps) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Aventura 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Aventura 5d Auto (171ps) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Mammoth Sports Adventure 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Mammoth Sports Adventure 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi S 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi SE 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport (171ps) 5d (Technology pack) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport (171ps) 5d Auto (Technology pack) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport 5d (171ps) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport 5d Auto (171ps) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Sport-X 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi SVE 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi SVE 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Tekna 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Tekna 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Trek 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi Trek 5d (171ps) | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi T-SPEC 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5 dCi T-SPEC 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5dCi Platinum 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 2.5dCi Platinum 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 4.0 V6 Aventura 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Nissan Pathfinder (2005 - 2014) 4.0 V6 T-SPEC 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| SsangYong Rexton W (2014 onwards) 2.0 EX 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| SsangYong Rexton W (2014 onwards) 2.0 EX 5d Tip Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| SsangYong Rexton W (2014 onwards) 2.0 SX 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 5 Seats (Leather) 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 5 Seats (Leather/Nav) 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 5 Seats 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 seats (Leather) 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 Seats (Leather) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 seats (Leather/Nav) 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 Seats (Leather/Nav) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 seats 5d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Active 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Icon 7 Seats (Safety pack) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Icon 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 2.8 D-4D Invincible 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D 60th Anniversary (190bhp) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Active 5 Seats 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Active 5 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Active 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Icon 7 Seats [Off-Road pack] 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Icon 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Invincible 7 Seats [Safety pack] 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D Invincible 7 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC3 (173bhp) 5 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC3 (190bhp) 5 Seats 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC3 (190bhp) 5 Seats 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC4 (173bhp) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC4 (190bhp) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC5 (173bhp) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 onwards) 3.0 D-4D LC5 (190bhp) 5d Auto | 750kg | 3000kg |
| Vauxhall Monterey (1994 - 1999) 3.1 TD RS 3d | 750kg | 3000kg |
