Desperately seeking clarity regarding towing s

of course i fully understand what and why you are trying to get to the bottom of the numbers and facts and figures- i thought the same- it just made longterm economic sense to take the test as to find a single trailer and then attach a tow bar to a car I had at the time was a greater cost than the test.
 
FJ- my car gross weight is slightly less at yours at 2020.. Ifor williams gives the gross weight of the 403 as 1600Kg so yours would be over as would mine, however you say yours is down rated to 1450kg? How does that work as obviously that would bring the combined weight of mine under again too..
 
In an ideal world that is what I would do (well actually in an ideal world it would there would be a new build Oakley or similar on
My drive) however I'm stuck with this car as it is a company car...
 
I would suggest doing the test. The longer you leave doing the test, the harder and more expensive it will be to pass. Then you also know if some jobsworth pulls you over, all you have to do is produce your license, instead of loads of "theoretical" calculations
 
robthecob said:
FJ- my car gross weight is slightly less at yours at 2020.. Ifor williams gives the gross weight of the 403 as 1600Kg so yours would be over as would mine, however you say yours is down rated to 1450kg? How does that work as obviously that would bring the combined weight of mine under again too..
Click to expand...

I got in touch with IW HQ who arranged a new plate to be sent out to a local dealer. I took my trailer along and they swapped plates over- so although my trailer can physically carry more weight, it is now legally restricted to 1450kg MAM. The MAM can be amended to any figure between a range which is stamped on trailer hitch according to IW who I spoke to about it.

However, your horse is much bigger than mine, so whether he would be comfortable in the single trailer and/or downgrading would leave you enough legal payload is another thing to consider... Also I'm not sure how happy your company would be about the company car towing? You would need to check the terms of your lease/agreement?

Good luck!
 
After reading the various posts on here they all seem to differ. If you want a simple explaination, I suggest the web site for horsebox and trailer owners assocation, a chap called Jon Phillips. Click on the relevant link and he explains it very clearly and leaves you in no doubt. Actually doing the B&E test is not that daunting. We run courses here near Aston le Walls where you can come and be taught over a three day period and then take your test at the end. Day four is actual test day.

We have an off road course to get you familiar with things, classroom for the theory element and as much practical driving as possible. We even run courses for those that do not need to take the actual test, (pre 97) but would benefit from a days instruction - can result in getting an insurance discount too!
 
TOWING WITH CAT ‘B’ (trailers over 750 kgs)
What you need to know – much of this is in the handbook
The unladen (empty) weight of your vehicle
The max MAM/GVW of your vehicle
The towing capacity of your vehicle
The MAM/GVW of the trailer (or the tyre load rating if no plate)

What the rules are
The towing capacity must not be exceeded
Any MAM/GVW must not be exceeded
The MAM of the trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the vehicle
The total MAM/GVW of the vehicle & trailer added together must not exceed 3.5 tonnes

TOWING WITH CAT B+E
What you need to know
The max MAM/GVW of your vehicle
Any GTW (Gross train Weight) if listed
The towing capacity of your vehicle
The MAM/GVW of the trailer (or the tyre load rating if no plate)

What the rules are
No MAM/GWV must be exceeded
The vehicle towing capacity must not be exceeded
Any listed GTW must not be exceeded

LAW – the maximum MAM/GVW of a trailer being towed by a CAT B vehicle is 3.5 tonnes

SAFETY – the actual weight of the trailer should never exceed 85% of the actual weight of the towing vehicle as this could lead to a scenario known as ‘the tail wagging the dog’

MYTH – the MAM/GVW of the trailer must not exceed the towing capacity

There are other rules in regard to towing such as towing ball weight, tachographs if towing commercially over a total MAM of 3.5 tonnes, ‘O’ licences for business, max size of trailer, braking system, electrics etc but I have left those alone and just concentrated on the licence issues.

Hope this helps and that the info given has been written correctly as I have compiled it from the DVLA website, the Police and VOSA.
 
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