Anyone done trailer test with own car & trailer?

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inthehills

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Hello,

I'm gearing up to re-take a trailer test after failing last summer. I didn't re-take at the time as the company who I'd done a trailer course with wanted an extortionate amount to use their vehicle and trailer to do the re-test (almost as much as what the course cost), plus they only seemed to be able to get test dates in rush hour!

I decided to use the money saved to put towards my own trailer and then re-take the test with my own kit. However I'm trying to get my head round the rules I need to confirm for my car and trailer. Most are straightforward, but some aren't so clear-

They mention on the gov uk website that 'the trailer you use must be around the same height as the car'.... seriously?! clearly my trailer is much higher than the car! is this really true?

Also, the first question on booking for a trailer test is how long is the vehicle and trailer. having googled how to measure, the advice seems to be to measure the length of the car, and the trailer, but without the drawbar which knocks about a metre off the length. Again, is this correct?

Finally, what did you use for your load? the rules seem to be quite pernickety for this. I can get a dumpy bag of sand but not sure how I would 'seal' this.

Any help appreciated- I don't want to be all revved up with nerves and have a two hour drive to the test centre to find they won't let me take the test because something isn't right!
 
I did and I failed the test because the trailer did not comply.

Passed it next time using a trailer training company for an hour to brush up on road craft (I was already highly competent at reversing and towing) before, then used it for the test. Passed with no faults.

So my advice is to use a training company's vehicle!
 
Length for test purposes is from the frontmost tip of the car to the rearmost tip of the trailer as they need this to set up the reversing area to the correct length for your set up

https://www.gov.uk/car-trailer-driving-test/trailer-rules
6. Rules for the trailer you use

The trailer you use and the load it carries must meet certain rules.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if your trailer or load don’t meet the rules.

The trailer you use must:

be a closed box body, such as a horsebox
be around the same width and height as the car - you must only be able to see to the rear by using external mirrors, and not through the rear window
have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least 1,000kg - you need proof to show the examiner, for example, the manufacturer’s plate
The MAM is the limit on how much the trailer can weigh when it’s loaded.
Rules about the load
The trailer must carry a load of at least 600kg. The combined weight of the trailer and load must be at least 800kg.

The load must be secured safely to the trailer. Your test will be cancelled if it isn’t.

The load can be either:

bagged aggregates weighing at least 600kg, for example, sand, stone chippings or gravel (but not toxic materials)
water in a 600 litre or 1,000 litre intermediate bulk container
Intermediate bulk containers are industrial containers for transporting liquids. They’re made from semi-transparent plastic and are usually reinforced with a wire frame.

Bags of aggregate
Each bag of aggregate must:

be sealed
weigh at least 10kg (all bags must weigh the same)
have the weight clearly marked on it
You can also use a single bag if it weighs 600kg or 1,000kg.

Water in containers
Water must be in an intermediate bulk container. The examiner must be able to see if it has the correct water level.
Click to expand...
 
Hi ROG do you not do PMs ,I have an interesting question about an H cat test where we have severe doubts about the DVSAs choice of venue and wanted a bit of advice on how best to approach them with our concerns.
 
popsdosh said:
Hi ROG do you not do PMs ,I have an interesting question about an H cat test where we have severe doubts about the DVSAs choice of venue and wanted a bit of advice on how best to approach them with our concerns.
Click to expand...

Turned PMs off as too many were asking about towing issues instead of allowing all to see Qs & As on an open forum where if I make a blunder then others can jump in and assist
 
I did the test twice with my car and trailer (this was quite a few years ago now when they first brought out the need for the test) and I failed both times. Then I used my vehicle and their trailer and passed - so much easier as the trailer was so much smaller and easier to see around! So Id suggest using theirs ;)
 
Many thanks for the replies :-)

Ffionwinnie- hope you don't mind me asking, but what did your trailer fail for?

ROG- thanks for the link, this is the one I had read but I really don't understand the bit about why the trailer needs to be around the same height as the car? thanks too for clarifying re car and trailer length.

All in all I don't understand why they are so picky, why wouldn't the normal rules suffice when that's what everything else on the road conforms to!
 
Very stupid things (rather like you are struggling to understand!). Didn't read the instructions properly basically but it's not just that. Their trailer is smaller and the right size to enable most likely chance of passing and they can give you tips you otherwise wouldn't have known.
 
inthehills said:
Many thanks for the replies :-)

Ffionwinnie- hope you don't mind me asking, but what did your trailer fail for?

ROG- thanks for the link, this is the one I had read but I really don't understand the bit about why the trailer needs to be around the same height as the car? thanks too for clarifying re car and trailer length.

All in all I don't understand why they are so picky, why wouldn't the normal rules suffice when that's what everything else on the road conforms to!
Click to expand...

Trailer height - too low means the rear view internal mirror can be used - too high means stability issues ..... horsebox trailer height is OK

They are picky because they need all candidates to be using similar equipment to make the test fair for all
 
My friend recently passed with her Ifor 505 trailer and for the weight she used a massive water tank, (the big white square ones with the cage on), filled up in the back.
 
I passed mines with my own trailer (ifor Williams 510) and my own car (Nissan Terrano). Granted it was quite a few years ago so whether the requirements have changed or not.
 
thanks for replies, all very helpful :-)
It's good to know that a horse trailer is ok despite the confusing guidelines. I'm going to see how much it would cost to use a training company's car and trailer though and make a decision on the back of that- I'm worried about not being able to take the test on the day due to the extensive rules for your own car and trailer- and I don't need more stress!
It looks like I'd need to buy extra mirrors too, plus a water tank or sand etc so it's still going to cost me something to use my own setup.
 
Why don't you look for a private instructor who has a trailer you can use but you use your own car? That's how I'm doing it. That way you could have a lesson to brush up then use their trailer to do the test with.
 
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