Advice on towing an enclosed car trailer - London to Paris

[Ffffaster]

I need to transport a car on an enclosed trailer to Paris.

The issue is that I have zero clue on how to do this and what I need to comply with by law.

My information is:

(a) I have a standard UK driver's licence.

(b) The towing car would be either a Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 petrols or a Mercedes C class C200 petrol.

(c) the car being transported is a 1960s Italian. Length - 180 inches, Width - 66 inches, Height - 53 inches. Weight - 1250 kilos.

(d) towing car is either a 2018 Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 petrol, or a 2018 Mercedes C200 petrol.

I would be so grateful for a numpties guide on everything I should know.

E.g.
- where to rent the enclosed trailer from,
- what towing bar to put on my towing car,
- how to get it across the Channel (train or ferrry?),
- partiuclar rules of the road that might apply in the UK and France,
- special permissions, paperwork I need to carry?

Really hoping the PH community can help me with this. Thanks!

Edited by Ffffaster on Friday 14th June 10:30

[Master Bean]

What is the towing car?

[Rushjob]

Ffffaster said:

Cheers. As above, Skoda Kodiaq or C class.

What is the towing capacity of the car is quite important....

[Mammasaid]

What's the towing capacity for each car?

1250kg car, doesn't leave a lot of weight for the trailer if the car can only tow 1800kg?

[Ffffaster]

Mammasaid said:

What's the towing capacity for each car?

1250kg car, doesn't leave a lot of weight for the trailer if the car can only tow 1800kg?

Thanks for making that point! Maybe an open trailer and covering car is better then?

Or maybe I rent a more powerful car specially for the journey?

[Mammasaid]

Ffffaster said:

Mammasaid said:

What's the towing capacity for each car?

1250kg car, doesn't leave a lot of weight for the trailer if the car can only tow 1800kg?

Thanks for making that point! Maybe an open trailer and covering car is better then?

Could be, for example this trailer is over 1000 kg empty.

https://eco-trailer.co.uk/trailer/velocity-iq-encl...

[anonymous-user]

Master Bean said:

What is the towing car?

[Ussrcossack]

Be careful coming back, you might attract additional passengers in the trailor

[Rushjob]

You'll need to ensure that the weight of the trailer and car are within the towing capabilities of the car and the towbar you purchase - some detachable towers only have a 2T rating for example.

If this is for commercial reasons, the trailer will need a UK trailer plate.

A UK standard licence means nothing - is it a pre 1997 or post 2004 with B + E, if stopped in FR with a none B+E licence you are likely to have problems

You cannot drive in the outside lane of a 3 or more lane carriageway whilst towing

[paulrockliffe]

MrBig said:

Master Bean said:

What is the towing car?

Under-appreciated response, but I saw what they did too.

[Mammasaid]

If you don't already have a tow bar on the towing vehicle, then there's up to £1000 to get one fixed.

Perhaps this would be easier.

https://www.abacusvehiclehire.co.uk/hire-vehicles/...

Or try Shipley

https://www.shiply.com/listings/form3

[Ffffaster]

Mammasaid said:

If you don't already have a tow bar on the towing vehicle, then there's up to £1000 to get one fixed.

Perhaps this would be easier.

https://www.abacusvehiclehire.co.uk/hire-vehicles/...

Or try Shipley

https://www.shiply.com/listings/form3

That's a great idea. Thank you.