Start with vehicle approval evidence
Ask for the exact vehicle record and applicable manufacturer information concerning towing. Identify any permitted trailer and combination limits and the conditions attached to them. A translated advertisement is not equivalent to an approval document. Have the relevant local specialist review whether the documents support registration and use of the proposed combination at destination. If a required rating cannot be established, stop the towing purchase decision there rather than calculating what the motor appears powerful enough to pull.
Identify the towbar and installation
Record manufacturer, part number, rating labels, applicable vehicle configuration and installation documentation. Inspect accessible mounting areas for corrosion, damage, improvised welding or unexplained drilling. A heavy-looking assembly is not proof of strength or correct attachment. Used installations need condition checks as well as paperwork. Do not attach a trailer for a road demonstration until a competent person has confirmed the vehicle, equipment and legal conditions are appropriate. A recovery point and a road towing coupling are not interchangeable concepts.
Calculate the complete loaded combination
Use actual loaded trailer mass, passengers, luggage, accessories and any permitted coupling load, applying all relevant vehicle, axle and equipment limits. The trailer’s empty weight alone is insufficient. Have the calculation checked and weigh the combination where necessary. Avoid treating a rated towbar as permission to exceed the vehicle’s own limit. If the buyer expects bikes rather than a trailer, a coupling-mounted rack still needs separate compatibility and load checks rather than an assumption that every towbar installation suits it.
Check wiring, lights and vehicle integration
Identify the intended trailer electrical system and the installation method. A socket at the bumper does not demonstrate correctly operating lights or supported vehicle integration. Ask a competent installer to verify the applicable functions without cutting into unidentified wiring or bypassing warnings. Record how parking aids and other affected systems should behave. Do not assume that a dashboard menu provides approval for the installation. Any software work should follow supported procedures and be documented for later service.
Confirm the destination conditions
Trailer registration, braking, lighting, licence and insurance requirements depend on jurisdiction and the proposed combination. Obtain advice from the relevant authority or qualified local specialist rather than relying on an exporter’s broad statement. This guide does not provide a country-specific approval. Include the cost and time of compliance in the decision. A technically plausible installation can still be commercially unsuitable if documentation is unavailable or the buyer cannot legally use it for the intended journey.
Rework range and charging access
A trailer changes route planning, not merely the load figure. Account for a conservative energy margin and stations that can physically accommodate the combination. Do not assume that every fast charger is accessible without unhitching. The Tai 3 battery and range guide provides the underlying version context; advertised unladen range is not a towing promise. Trial a suitable local route only after all safety and legal checks, preserving a backup charging and assistance plan.
Make an explicit contract boundary
If towing is essential, write the specific requirement and required supporting evidence into the enquiry before a candidate is sourced. Distinguish verified approval from accessory availability and seller opinion. Agree who supplies, installs and documents the equipment and what happens if approval cannot be obtained. If the combination remains uncertain, choose another candidate with clear support or abandon the towing requirement. A discount should not be used to convert an undocumented capability claim into a verified one.
Example: a towbar is fitted but no rating is supplied
Ask for the vehicle approval and installation documents before discussing a caravan’s weight. A photograph of the bar cannot close either gap. If the seller cannot produce suitable evidence, compare the car as a vehicle without verified towing capability. Do not pay an accessory premium for a requirement that remains unconfirmed and may be difficult to approve locally.
Buyer checklist
- Obtain vehicle-specific approval and applicable ratings.
- Identify the towbar, installation and electrical system.
- Assess all loaded vehicle and trailer limits together.
- Confirm local rules and practical charging access.
Questions and answers
Does AWD establish towing approval?
No. Drivetrain traction and towing approval are different matters. The vehicle documents, equipment and destination rules must support the intended combination.
Can another BYD model’s rating be used for Tai 3?
No. Ratings are vehicle- and configuration-specific. Do not transfer them between models or use a towbar rating as a vehicle rating.
Reference information
Use the applicable market and year documentation for equipment and operating limits. The references have their own market and publication scope; they do not establish the condition, fitted equipment or destination approval of an individual vehicle.
Continue with the Tai 3 drivetrain comparison, or send your vehicle requirements.