Kerbweight: What it means and why it matters
Kerbweight is the weight of your car with a full tank of fuel, all standard fluids, and no passengers or luggage. It is the base figure used to calculate the 85% towing rule.
Kerbweight is the car's ready-to-drive weight. Fuel, oil, coolant, washer fluid. But nothing else. It is the starting point for the 85% rule: your caravan's MTPLM should ideally not exceed 85% of your car's kerbweight for stable, confident towing. Kerbweight varies by trim level, engine, and options (a panoramic sunroof, for example, adds 20-30kg). The figure on your V5C or from manufacturer specs is the "type approval" kerbweight, but your actual car may differ by ±5%. For precision, weigh your car at a public weighbridge.
Why this matters
Kerbweight is the anchor for the 85% rule. If you get this wrong, your entire towing safety calculation is off. Always use your specific variant's kerbweight, not a generic model figure.
Common misunderstandings
- Kerbweight is not the same as unladen weight. Kerbweight includes a full tank of fuel
- The V5C kerbweight may not match your specific car if you have heavy options fitted
- Adding passengers and luggage to your car does not change kerbweight. It changes the actual weight
- Kerbweight is not the same as towing capacity, GVW or MAM. Those are separate manufacturer limits
Example
A Skoda Kodiaq with a kerbweight of 1,705kg gives an 85% guideline of about 1,449kg. A Bailey Phoenix 644 with a 1,500kg MTPLM sits just above the guideline, so it tows safely for an experienced driver but is not ideal for a first-time tower.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Check the VIN plate, your V5C registration document, or enter your reg into our free checker for an instant lookup.
No. Kerbweight is the car with full fluids and fuel but zero passengers and zero luggage.