Can a Passenger Car Tow a Flatbed Trailer?
4 Answers
A passenger car can tow a flatbed trailer. Any trailer operating on public roads must be registered and licensed. Owners should present the manufacturer's certificate of conformity and official invoice to the local vehicle management office for registration. Below are additional regulations regarding motor vehicle towing: For trucks, semi-trailer tractors, and tractors towing trailers: These vehicles are only permitted to tow one trailer. The trailer's lighting signals, braking system, coupling devices, and safety protections must comply with national standards. For small passenger cars towing trailers: Small passenger cars are only allowed to tow travel trailers or trailers with a total mass not exceeding 700 kilograms. The trailer must not carry passengers; the cargo mass of the trailer towed by a truck must not exceed the truck's own cargo capacity.
I've been driving for over a decade, and towing a flatbed trailer requires extreme caution. First check your vehicle's approved towing capacity - if it's not specified in the vehicle registration certificate, forget about it. With a C1 driver's license, you can only tow trailers under 700kg - anything heavier requires a license upgrade. The trailer needs separate license plates and must have all lighting signals properly installed. The total weight must never exceed the towing vehicle's weight, or you'll face overload penalties from traffic police. I've witnessed many trailer sway accidents, especially on rainy highways where braking distance doubles. If you must tow, only use trailer hitches from reputable manufacturers, and always check tire pressure and brake lines before departure. Safety always comes first.
I've handled quite a few towing dispute cases, and legal aspects require special attention. Small car towing falls under motor vehicle trailer towing, which must comply with the Road Traffic Safety Law. The vehicle must have a certified towing capacity parameter, and the trailer must have independent license plates and reflective markings. Light flatbed trailers are common, but cargo must not exceed the trailer's rated load. Previously, a client was fined 5,000 yuan for unauthorized modification of the tow hook, and insurance directly denied claims in case of an accident. I recommend checking Article 56 of traffic regulations first - the trailer length cannot exceed 0.3 times the main vehicle, and the width should not exceed 2.5 meters. Night driving also requires width indicator lights.
From the perspective of vehicle structure, towing can be quite damaging to a car. The rear suspension of ordinary sedans has limited load-bearing capacity, and pulling heavy loads can easily cause deformation. My repair shop frequently encounters cases of rear axle cracking. The engine also bears a heavy burden, especially when climbing hills where high RPMs accelerate wear. Transmission overheating alarms are quite common. For cars with electronic parking brakes, the initial shock when starting to tow can severely damage the system. It's advisable to check the maximum towing mass in the vehicle manual; family cars usually only support a few hundred kilograms. Additionally, an electromagnetic brake must be installed; otherwise, the trailer will push the main vehicle when going downhill. After towing, remember to check the wear on the brake pads.
