Can I tow a Beauer 3X?

Beauer FAQs

The Beauer 3X model is designed to be easy to tow by everyday cars, while also providing the living space, amenities and practicality of a full sized caravan. Measuring just 2m wide when closed, with an aerodynamic shape, you'll find the 3X model an absolute breeze to tow.

To make sure that your vehicle is suitable for towing a Beauer 3X, you'll need to ensure that it has adequate towing capacity and the correct towing equipment fitted.

Towing Capacity

The first thing you'll need to check is if your vehicle has adequate braked towing capacity for a Beauer 3X.

There are 2 methods that you can use:

Method 1: Check your V5C (logbook)

This is the quickest way to check if your vehicle is suitable for towing a Beauer 3X.

Open your logbook (V5C document) and on the right hand side of the first inside page, find the heading "O: Technical permissible maximum towable mass of trailer".

Immediately below this, find the subheading "O: braked (kg)" and beside this, your vehicle's maximum towing capacity for a braked trailer/caravan is displayed. The Beauer 3X is fully braked, with an independent AL-KO braking system installed.

This figure must match or exceed the maximum weight (MTPLM) of the trailer/caravan that you are towing.

An example V5C document, with braked towing capacity figure highlighted. Click to open the full image.

A typical VIN plate - find yours in one of the door openings or inside the engine bay. Click to open the full image.

Method 2: Calculate from your VIN plate

If you don't have your vehicle's V5C document to hand, you can also manually calculate your towing allowance by checking your VIN plate. This is a metal stamped plate, usually affixed to the inside of one of the door openings, or in the engine bay.

VIN plates typically display 4 figures, but we're only interested in 2 of them for this purpose; the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - the maximum weight of the vehicle itself, fully laden, and the Gross Train Weight (GTW) - the maximum weight of the vehicle and a trailer, both fully laden.

To calculate your braked towing allowance, simply subtract the Gross Vehicle Weight from the Gross Train Weight figure.

Towing Equipment

Once you've confirmed that your vehicle has a suitable braked towing capacity, you'll also need to have the correct towing equipment installed to enable you to "hitch" to the Beauer 3X.

Tow Bars

You'll need a tow bar fitted, with a 50mm diameter tow ball.

This will enable you to "hitch" the Beauer to your tow vehicle via the coupling head at the front of the draw bar.

There are various types of tow bars available for different vehicles, but they all function in the same way and the differences are mostly aesthetic.

Flange tow bars are the most common, versatile and budget-friendly type of tow bars fitted to vehicles in the UK. They're characterised by a tow ball bolted to a face plate with 2 or 4 bolts.

Fixed Flange

Fixed flange tow bars do exactly what they say on the tin; they're fixed in place permanently, meaning that the tow bar & electric connection are always visible.

Detachable Flange

Detachable flange tow bars can be removed when not in use, which is great if you don't like how your vehicle looks with a tow bar fitted.

Swan neck tow bars are more common in the EU, but are growing in popularity in the UK due to their more visually pleasing appearance. The neck section is less "bulky" than flanged tow bars and less likely to trigger parking sensors, if your vehicle has them fitted.

Fixed Swan Neck

Exactly the same as fixed flange tow bars (always in place) but with the swan neck design.

Detachable Swan Neck

The same as detachable flange tow bars; can be removed when not in use. Some designs allow them to swivel in place & fold under the rear bumper of the car, rather than removing the tow ball entirely.

Towing Electrics

You will also need a towing electrics plug fitted to your vehicle.

This round plug connects to the Beauer and powers the driving lights (indicators, brake lamps, reverse lamps, license plate).

Modern towing electric plugs also have a live power feed to the trailer/caravan's leisure battery, charging it in transit and keeping the fridge running (if you've opted for a 12V fridge).

The new standard for towing electrics; features 13 pins that provide power from the tow vehicle to the trailer/caravan, powering the driving lights and with a live feed to the leisure battery, charging it in transit.

13-pin towing electric socket
(vehicle side)

13-pin towing electric plug
(caravan side)

The previous standard; commonly fitted to older vehicles. A 7-pin electrical connection powers the driving lights only, with no live feed to the leisure battery - so it won't be charged in transit.

7-pin towing electric socket
(vehicle side)