Guides
Motorhome or Trailer Breakdown
With a motorhome or caravan, weight and length decide who can help. Tell us early, and finding the right vehicle goes faster.
Secure the scene first, then call
- Hazard lights on, put on a hi-vis vest, get everyone behind the crash barrier or somewhere safe.
- With a trailer combination: secure the caravan against rolling away (handbrake, wheel chocks), but only if it's safe to do so.
- Turn off the gas supply on the caravan or motorhome if there's smoke, a burning smell, or it's been in an accident. Call 112 for a fire.
The 3.5-tonne threshold
Many motorhomes weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. Above that limit, the vehicles and equipment used for cars and small vans aren't enough. Some automobile clubs don't provide roadside assistance for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes at all. For us too, everyday business covers vehicles up to a 3.5-tonne gross weight limit. For anything heavier, tell us the length, height and weight, and we'll tell you honestly whether and with whom we can help.
Trailer combination: which part is affected, the towing vehicle or the caravan?
- Towing vehicle broken, caravan fine: the whole combination can be taken to the nearest garage together, or the caravan is uncoupled and transported separately. What's possible depends on weight and length.
- Caravan broken, towing vehicle fine: usually it's enough to collect just the caravan. If it can no longer roll, it needs a vehicle with a loading bed or a winch.
- Both affected: then both vehicles need transporting, possibly one after the other.
Details that help us
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Make, model, year | Length, wheelbase, drivetrain |
| Gross weight limit and actual weight | Decides which vehicle can carry or pull it |
| Length and height | Loading bed, bridges, underground garages |
| Combination: total length and caravan weight | Whether both can be moved together |
| Whether the vehicle rolls and steers | Whether towing or loading is needed |
| Location and access (motorway, campsite, rest area) | Where a vehicle can position itself |
If you want to tow it yourself
A motorhome is heavy, and a tow rope has to hold that load. As a minimum, ropes or bars rated to carry at least 3,500 kilograms are recommended for trailer combinations. The towing vehicle must be suitable and rated for the load. Legally this is more complicated, see Tow rope or towing service? and Towing a van.
On the motorway
If you break down with a trailer combination or motorhome on the motorway, the effort increases because the hard shoulder is often tight for that length. Tell us the motorway, direction and exit. How securing the scene works on the motorway is covered in Breaking down on the motorway; for our region, for example Breakdown on the A5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you also tow motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes?
Can the caravan be uncoupled?
Do I need to turn off the gas?
Reach us directly
Phone and WhatsApp: available around the clock.