towing law for drivers who passed post 97

[kbekl]

i am getting confused with the way they are wording it

it says i can have a vehicle and trailer weight of 3.5 tons but can not tow a trailer/caravan over 750 kg :confused::confused:

how does this equate in real terms

if my mav weighs in at 1800 kg i can tow a trailer/caravan of 1700 kg or i can only tow 750kg :confused:

[(RIP) PLANK]

it's a confusing law mate, there are lots of postings on trailer towing on here allready it might be worth doing a search :thumbs

[theron]

The 750Kg limit is for unbraked trailers.

Note the MAM of the Terrano will be on a plate under the bonnet. You must use the figures off the plate, not the actual weight of the car.

So if the MAM of the Terrano is 2100Kg then the trailer must have a plated MAM of less than 1400Kg (even if empty).

This might help: http://www.towing-solutions.co.uk/trailer-driving-courses/B%2BE%20Flowchart.htm

[Deleted account DD]

Thats a very neat flowchart :thumb2

The blurb is here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

[kbekl]

right cheers for that so should be ok to tow a caravan then lol

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

vehicle <=3500kg can tow trailer <750kg, making train gross 4250Kg

however 3500 kk gross train is limit if gross of trailer is >750kg.

btw its gross weight not kerb weight of car, so T2 comes in around
2600Kg so trailer limit will be say 950kg.

also on b only licence car must weigh more than trailer.

we've had this before where a t2 in a family was less legal than
say a vectra, despite the t2 being heavier and a much better
anchor to caravan.

best bet is get trailer licence (+E) then world is oyster almost.

[Muckypup]

Something I didnt know, there is a maximum length of trailer a 4x4 or car can tow. I nearly towed a 9m climbing wall the other day until I realised mr plod would have stung me...

This led me to thinking about some of the larger caravans members tow, and quickly realised a lot of big caravans exceed the limit of 7m overall (sorry if this applies to you and is new news :( )

For example, the caravan below would not be permitted to be towed by a 4x4 as it exceeds the limit by almost a full meter!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swift-Charisma-650-2009-model-twin-axle-/150479443108?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes

The law only applies to cars (4x4s included) and not to goods vehicles. So if you wanted to tow the above caravan you would need to use a Transit or similar...

Its all explained in this page :
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/requirementsfortrailers

Hope this info saves anyone who didnt know their licence :o

[kbekl]

i knew about the max length but thought it included the size of the tow vehicle

well at least i know i am legal with my trailer tent @ 400kg lol

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

the limit for a trailer towed by a vechicle <=3500 kg is 7 metres, though
this excludes the a frame/towbar AND the maximum width has just gone
from 2.3 metres (7'6") to 2.55 metres (8' x") ie regular full size truck/bus
width.

7 metres remains limit though, which about 23 feet.

that said think there must be exclusions a s see cars towing gliders and
on hol there was a lr90 with going on for 40 foot of rowing boat on a
custom trailer, and trailer alone was much longer than my twin axle caravan,
couldn't help think that with the good lock on the 90 that trailer/boat
could create some kick out on turns.

did take a pic will try to upload it.

So caravans over 7metre body need a commercial, or a fullsize yank
4x4 to tow legally. regardless of trailer's weight.

max train weight on a B+E would be like my troll. 3500 for car and 3500
for trailer so 7 tonnes.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Something I didnt know, there is a maximum length of trailer a 4x4 or car can tow. I nearly towed a 9m climbing wall the other day until I realised mr plod would have stung me...

This led me to thinking about some of the larger caravans members tow, and quickly realised a lot of big caravans exceed the limit of 7m overall (sorry if this applies to you and is new news :( )

For example, the caravan below would not be permitted to be towed by a 4x4 as it exceeds the limit by almost a full meter!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swift-Charisma-650-2009-model-twin-axle-/150479443108?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes

The law only applies to cars (4x4s included) and not to goods vehicles. So if you wanted to tow the above caravan you would need to use a Transit or similar...

Its all explained in this page :
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/requirementsfortrailers

Hope this info saves anyone who didnt know their licence :o

sorry mate thats incorrect, thats just like mine but does need a B+E ticket.

the van will weight around 1800kg.

btw trannies are under 3500 so classed plg and can be driven on a b.

the 650 is a model designate, the body, being a bristish swift will be around
20 foot long and 7 foot six wide., well in scope of a terrano/troll, providing
driver has qualification, either by grandfather rights like me, passed in 86 or
passed a trailer test for +e if post 97 licence.

also if you later get an LGV (HGV) with trailer entitlement this passes back
to car side of licence.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

overall length, this includes towbar of trailer will be atleast 3 foot
longer than body length, which in turn will be little long than
interior length.

overall length is only relevent when you are paying ferry costs,
often known as shipping length or need to know if will fit in your
front garden etc.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOBBY-700-UK-SPECIAL-CARAVAN-2004-/330459773581?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes

now this baby is illegal on a sub 3500 kg vehicle what ever seller says about
light commercial or 4x4 as tug.

points to note, model 700, but will be 7 metres ish interior, text actually says
body 26 foot and 4 foot towbar.

also until this spring it would have been over width at 8 foot.

clasically towed by a travellers, this hobby's and other quality german vans
are filtering into domestic caravanning, BUT without a 4/5/6/7 ton truck you
can say good bye to your car insurance if something happens AND
word is they are difficult to get caravan(property) insurance on as so
desirable by the caravan thieves and association with the travelling
community. A real shame as I'd love one too.

[kbekl]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOBBY-700-UK-SPECIAL-CARAVAN-2004-/330459773581?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes

now this baby is illegal on a sub 3500 kg vehicle what ever seller says about
light commercial or 4x4 as tug.

points to note, model 700, but will be 7 metres ish interior, text actually says
body 26 foot and 4 foot towbar.

also until this spring it would have been over width at 8 foot.

clasically towed by a travellers, this hobby's and other quality german vans
are filtering into domestic caravanning, BUT with a 4/5/6/7 ton truck you
can say good bye to your car insurance if something happens AND
word is they are difficult to get caravan(property) insurance on as so
desirable by the caravan thieves and association with the travelling
community. A real shame as I'd love one too.
so guess i wont be able to tow that with the mav then lmao

but tbh i know of people who have similar size caravans which are towed by smaller cars than the mav but they paid hundreds for the license

just out of curiosity how much is the B+E for post 97

also what really annoys me is that i passed in 97 but it was june and i learned in the RAF which i was also driving personnel carriers and fire engines.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

costs, dont know, lots of the bus and truck training schools do B+E.

often see a disco with a small 4 wheel load lugger trailer van, smaller
than a 12 foot caravan advertising the course.

think like trucks now, that the trailer has to be solid, so gone are
days of learning in flat bed rigid or artics, think so have to use
mirrors reversing etc.

B+E doesnt make that hobby van legal on a car as its more along
lines of construction and use. that van needs tug exceeding 3.5 tonnes,
which of course could be quite a narrow, short vehicle, just capable
of the weight.

just as a taster, if you have c1(upto 7.5t)+ e likeme you can take an
extra test that increases train weight to 12000kg, so 7.5t truck
with say own payload of 4t can tug a trailer with matching payload.
otherwise gtw is 8250kg. so plenty of contractors with their tippers
towing diggers pushing law.

not many brits doing it, but plenty of european outfits.

[rustic]

Something I didnt know, there is a maximum length of trailer a 4x4 or car can tow. I nearly towed a 9m climbing wall the other day until I realised mr plod would have stung me...

As far as I am aware, your 9m climbing wall may have been legal, I tow a 7 metre boat on a 7 metre boat trailer, the boat/engine overhangs the rear by a metre.

You are allowed to have an overhang on a trailer carrying a load, as long as it is properly identified, rag or something for a short overhang and tail light for longer loads.

If the climbing wall is fixed to the trailer then this is a different matter.

On Boat trailers they are exempt from additional side lights or any side warning lights. I guess because they are often submersed, however I fitted the conventional White/Red light on the mud guard, which is essential when towing the empty trailer at night or poor visability.
These remove quickly and plug into a socket in the tail board.
I have also put an extra earth lead from the tailboard to the chassis as the cable length was so long that when the indicators flashed the side lamps went dimmer.
Best regards, Rustic

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

good point rustic, bit like rowing boat i saw.

think as you say its down to load on trailer rather than an integrated unit.

suspect an oversized trailer can be towed if it is identifed as a special,or
like a breakdown service. perhaps tug would need to be set up with
warning beacon etc ideally if is registered as breakdown truck.

we have a member that works for a trailer repair service, and decribed
towing over size items with a patrol. would look diffeerent to a family
off on their hols...

but for normal towing law stands.

[wildbri]

The trouble with a big hobby caravan is a lot of caravan sites will turn you away.

Although you may have a B+E licence, once you become over 70 years you are limited to 3500k unless you pass a medical which can cost £135. regards bri

[Deleted account DD]

Does this clarify a couple of the licence/weight points?

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Quick%20Guide%20to%20Towing%20Small%20Trailers%20F eb%2008.pdf