LEGAL
Is A-Frame Towing Legal in New Zealand?
Yes, when done correctly. Here are the rules that apply, what Waka Kotahi requires, and how to make sure your setup is compliant.
The Key Rules
Factsheet 75
Waka Kotahi’s Factsheet 75 covers towing rules and applies to flat towing in NZ. It sets out the practice for safety cables, lighting, and braking.
The Frontal Impact Rule
A baseplate must not compromise your car’s frontal crumple zone. See the baseplate requirements below.
The 7-metre-from-30km/h rule
The combination must be able to stop within 7 metres from 30 km/h. That is a braking performance test rather than a weight cap. Below 2,000 kg a supplementary brake is not required by weight alone, but you must still meet the maximum gross towed weight and the tow hitch’s maximum unbraked rating; if no unbraked rating is stated, the limit is 750 kg unbraked. A proportional brake is what reliably meets the test.
Length
There is no single length cap that fits every setup. Heavy-combination length rules can allow more than a standard car-and-trailer limit, so check the length that applies to your motorhome and towed vehicle.
Baseplate Requirements
The baseplate is the bracket that bolts to the front of your towed vehicle. It must:
- Not compromise the crumple zone
- Sit at least 20 mm behind the bumper
- Not be welded to the chassis
Blue Ox baseplates are vehicle-specific and designed to meet NZ requirements. Approved installers handle the fitment.
Braking Requirements
Below 2,000 kg the law does not require a supplementary brake by weight alone, but you must still meet the maximum gross towed weight and the tow hitch’s maximum unbraked rating; if no unbraked rating is stated, the limit is 750 kg unbraked. Either way, the combination must be able to stop within 7 metres from 30 km/h.
A proportional brake activates in sync with the motorhome’s brakes and shares the braking load, so for most motorhome-and-car combinations it’s the sensible choice. It also adds an emergency breakaway that stops the car if it ever separates from the motorhome. The Patriot 3 is our recommended system: proportional, portable between vehicles, and built for NZ compliance.
Lighting and Safety
You need:
- Working tail lights, brake lights, and indicators on the towed vehicle
- Safety cables, where no supplementary brake is fitted. They connect the towed vehicle to the motorhome. With a supplementary brake fitted, safety cables are not needed.
Most Blue Ox systems include lighting connections that pull from the motorhome.
Common Questions
Is A-frame towing legal in NZ?
Yes. A-frame towing, also called flat towing, is legal when done with compliant equipment that meets the baseplate and braking requirements.
Do I need a brake?
Below 2,000 kg a supplementary brake is not required by weight alone. You still have to meet the maximum gross towed weight and the tow hitch’s maximum unbraked rating; if no unbraked rating is stated, the limit is 750 kg unbraked. Either way the combination must stop within 7 metres from 30 km/h, so a proportional brake like the Patriot 3 is the sensible choice for most setups.
What does Waka Kotahi require?
Compliant baseplates, supplementary braking where needed, working lights, and safety cables where no supplementary brake is fitted.
Can I flat tow any car?
No. The towed vehicle must support flat towing per the manufacturer’s instructions, have an available baseplate kit for its model, and have its baseplate fitted by an approved installer.
Some automatics can’t be flat towed as they leave the factory, though an installer can often fit a driveline disconnect (a dog clutch) to make it possible. The dog clutch needs LVV certification, because it alters the driveshaft. The automatic Suzuki Jimny is the common New Zealand example. See which vehicles you can flat tow.
Want the full picture?
The complete NZ flat towing guide covers all the legal requirements in more detail, plus equipment, the connection process, and what to ask your installer.