Vehicle documents
Caravan: where do I check the permitted vertical load on the hitch?
Compare the caravan, hitch and car limits; the lowest applicable vertical-load rating controls.
Vertical load is a technical limit for the towing combination. It is different from the trailer’s total mass and from the licence category. Check the ratings for the car, towing device and caravan, stay within the lowest applicable limit, and also respect authorised masses and axle loads.
A separate technical value
Vertical load is the downward force the front of the caravan places on the car’s hitch. It is not the caravan’s total mass and does not determine whether B, code 96 or BE is required. Italian Article 116 uses authorised maximum masses to determine the licence category; the towing rating and vertical load depend on the technical approval of the specific car, hitch and caravan.
These components may have different maximum values. Read the car documents, the hitch plate and the caravan manufacturer’s instructions. The combination must comply with every applicable limit, so the lowest value controls. A higher figure on one component does not authorise you to exceed the rating of another. You must also check the car’s towing mass, maximum authorised mass and axle limits.
Example: the car allows 75 kg on the hitch, the installed device is rated for 60 kg, and the caravan allows 90 kg. The applicable maximum is 60 kg. If the measured load is 65 kg, reposition the load as instructed and measure again before departure. A BE licence or a total mass within the limit does not make 65 kg acceptable.
Measure the loaded setup
Use the method and measuring point specified by the manufacturer, with a suitable scale or device. Guessing by hand is not a reliable check. Luggage and equipment can change the vertical load, so measure in the travelling configuration. Keep heavy items low and secured, but do not move everything to the front or rear: poor distribution can make the caravan unstable.
If the ratings are missing or appear inconsistent, ask the vehicle maker or an authorised installer and do not tow until the exact combination is clear. Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you revise category and trailer rules through quizzes and error review; the actual technical limit comes from the vehicle documents and manufacturer instructions.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you revise trailer and category quizzes; your caravan’s technical limits must be checked in its documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does vertical load decide whether category B is enough?
No. The licence category uses authorised maximum masses; vertical load is a separate technical limit that must also be respected.
Can I use the hitch’s rating if the car allows less?
No. Respect the lowest applicable rating among the car, hitch and caravan, along with axle and total-mass limits.