The NCC joins new UK Towing Safety Alliance
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New UK Towing Safety Alliance launched
As the summer season approaches, a new campaign is shining a spotlight on towing safety – something every caravanner should take seriously before hitting the road – as discussed in our complete guide to towing.
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
UK Towing Safety Alliance
The National Caravan Council (NCC) has announced it is a founding member of the newly launched UK Towing Safety Alliance, a collaborative group aiming to raise awareness of safe towing practices across the country.
The Alliance, created in partnership with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), the Alliance brings together a wide range of organisations, including TyreSafe, NFU Mutual, Road Safety GB, Driving for Better Business, the Camping and Caravanning Club, Tilly Your Trailer, the British Horse Society (BHS), The Caravan and Motorhome Club, The Pony Club and others – all with a shared commitment to raising awareness and instilling safer towing practices.
The TLC campaign: tyres, load, connectivity
At the heart of the group's efforts is the TLC campaign, a national initiative offering clear and practical guidance for anyone towing a caravan.
The acronym TLC stands for:
- Tyres – Check pressure, tread depth and tyre condition. Ageing tyres, even those with plenty of tread, can still pose a risk. More information on tyres
- Load – Secure and distribute weight evenly and ensure you stay within legal weight limits. For more on loading
- Connectivity – Ensure breakaway cables, electrical systems and light connections are fully working and properly attached
The TLC checklist has been developed to help drivers spot potential issues before they become road hazards.
Simon McGrath, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at the NCC, explained,
“The NCC is committed to improving awareness of towing safely across the leisure vehicle industry, and we are proud to support the new UK Towing Safety Alliance and the TLC campaign as a founding member.
"The campaign provides practical and clear guidance that will help prevent avoidable towing incidents on our roads.
"Caravanning is a much-loved leisure pastime and, with more awareness and action, we can help make towing safer for everyone.
"We are urging all our members to embrace the campaign and share its key messages to help keep customers, families, and other road users safe.”
Why towing safety matters
With more people opting for UK caravan holidays, particularly around peak travel periods like bank holidays and summer half-terms, roads will see increased towing traffic. And with this comes the risk of poorly prepared vehicles leading to accidents or collisions.
Jamie Hassall, Executive Director at PACTS, added,
“The statistics from both the DVSA and National Highways demonstrate an urgent need to improve towing safety across the UK.
"Through the UK Towing Safety Alliance and the launch of the TLC campaign, we are bringing together expertise from a wide range of organisations to advocate for safer towing practices.
"This collaborative effort will ensure that drivers have the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions and reduce the risks associated with towing.”
Whether you’re an experienced caravanner or heading out on your first trip, taking a few minutes to check your vehicle using the TLC checklist could help avoid breakdowns – or worse, severe accidents.
Try using our Towmatch tool
Understanding which caravans your car can safely tow is essential to enjoying a stress-free tour or holiday. Think of it like shopping for shoes – you'd only look in your specific size, or risk discomfort and injury.
Enter your registration number now, or your make and model, to see a comprehensive list of caravans that your car can safely tow.
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