When a car is impounded, any trailer or caravan it was towing may also be taken to the same compound — or to a separate storage yard. Getting it back isn’t always straightforward, as the rules differ slightly from those for motor vehicles. You’ll need to prove ownership, arrange suitable insurance, and sometimes use a recovery truck before it can be released.

Check where the trailer or caravan has been taken

In most cases, the trailer or caravan is stored with the impounded car. However, if the site doesn’t have space for larger vehicles, it may be moved elsewhere. Start by contacting the pound listed on your vehicle seizure notice. If they don’t hold the trailer, they’ll tell you which contractor is storing it and how to arrange collection.

Make sure you ask whether both vehicles can be released at the same time — that can save time and additional storage fees.

Proving ownership or control

Just like a car, the pound won’t release a trailer or caravan without proof that it belongs to you or your business. You’ll normally need:

• proof of purchase, invoice, or registration document if applicable;
• photo ID matching the ownership paperwork;
• and the pound’s release paperwork if issued for the towing vehicle.

If the trailer or caravan belongs to someone else, you’ll need a signed letter of authority from the owner, plus their proof of ID and your own. Some pounds will also request a copy of the owner’s insurance certificate if the unit remains registered in their name.

Insurance requirements

Unlike cars, most trailers and caravans don’t need separate insurance for storage or collection. However, if you plan to tow it away, the towing vehicle must have insurance that includes trailer or caravan use. If the original car is still impounded or uninsured, you can hire or borrow another vehicle — but only if it’s insured for towing and legally roadworthy.

Police compounds check that any vehicle leaving their site is properly insured and taxed. If your new towing vehicle doesn’t meet those conditions, the pound will require you to arrange a professional recovery instead.

When the car and trailer must be collected separately

If the car that towed the trailer is still impounded and can’t yet be released, you can usually collect the trailer first. To do so, you’ll need:

• proof of ownership for the trailer or caravan;
• your driving licence and personal ID;
• a suitable towing vehicle or recovery truck with insurance and tax;
• and payment for any storage or removal charges owed.

The pound may ask to see evidence that your recovery vehicle is authorised to transport trailers — particularly if you’re hiring a recovery firm. Always check their credentials before booking to avoid additional complications on collection day.

Storage fees and time limits

Storage charges apply daily for trailers and caravans just as they do for cars. If you leave it too long, it may be sold or scrapped to recover costs. Contact the pound as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary fees and confirm how long they’ll hold the unit before disposal.

If the trailer or caravan is unroadworthy

If the trailer has damaged tyres, broken lights, or unsafe coupling gear, it cannot be towed away on public roads. You’ll need to arrange transport on a flatbed truck or trailer recovery service. Pounds may refuse to release unroadworthy trailers to be towed, even if you have insurance, to comply with safety regulations.

Final note

To get a trailer or caravan released after a car impound, contact the pound immediately, prove ownership, and arrange either towing or recovery with a properly insured vehicle. The process is simpler if you act quickly and provide all the required paperwork. Leaving it too long increases storage costs and risks the unit being sold or scrapped — so it’s always worth sorting the release as soon as possible.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.