Towing a trailer, completely confused!!

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Lunatic'srider

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Hi, So I went to my trailer test today and was told on arrival that the load we had put in the trailer was not adequate for me to take the test. We were told that you must put 600kg in, which we had but it wasn't in clear bags or with the weight stamped obviously on the side. Anyway on discussing this the lady examiner told me that I could not tow this by myself, even though it is still under a combined weight of 3.5 tonnes? I was led to believe that you could tow anything up to a weight of 3.5 tonnes ( meaning the vehicle, trailer and load do not exceed this) hence why you can drive a 3.5 tonne lorry on just a car licence? This is also what it says on the Government website for towing guidelines.
So now im completely confused...and also slightly annoyed that I wasnt allowed to take the test! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 
If you present a car/trailer combination for test it does tell you on the Direct.Gov site what the requirements are - https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver/rules-for-vehicles-used-in-the-practical-driving-test this is the link, and it specifies how you are to weight the trailer, unfortunately they need it done like this to prove you have the correct weight. Not complying with this will mean the test can't go ahead. I have a water container that clearly marks 600l on the side, the examiners always check the load.

This is the link to what you can tow https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
 
Thanks for your reply, I understand that, we made a silly mistake on short time. What I don't understand is the fact that after studying the gov.uk website which says you can tow up to a combined weight of 3.5 tonne, the examiner is telling me that I can't tow it at all? Even though it was well under this weight? Basically what she was saying is that I cannot tow a trailer at all without taking the test, but this is not what it says on the website?
 
Rog always does the weight things far better than me - but I'm sure if you post on here what you're towing with (weights etc) and what trailer you're towing (weight etc) then we can work out whether the examiner had it correct, but in all honesty it won't make a difference to today's test as you didn't have the load sorted correctly. It's probably well worth contacting a local trainer to help with that bit if necessary, or borrow a 1000/600L water tank as they're often easier to find.
 
Its so confusing. The vehicle weighs 1705, the trailer weighs 905. So with the 600 thats still only 3,210? Im going to go on the day course with the test the next day now so that I can use a suitable vehicle and go knowing that everything is ok.
 
I dont agreee with towing and would never do it but im aware that my views wont change other peoples! the perfect vechile for towingwould be a van. just out weigh the weight of horse and trailer
 
liberty and tommy said:
I dont agreee with towing and would never do it but im aware that my views wont change other peoples! the perfect vechile for towingwould be a van. just out weigh the weight of horse and trailer
Click to expand...

Why, out of interest, do you think that a van (potentially lighter than a decent 4x4) would be the best towing vehicle? Size =/= weight.
 
You can legally tow without taking the towing test, but the MAM of the trailer must not exceed the curb weight of the towing vehicle as well as the whole outfit not exceeding 3.5t. Sure Rog posted a combination that would work with these restrictions on one of his threads.

With regards to being aware of what is required for the test, why not go to one of these training businesses (there seems to be plenty round here at least) who provide the vehicle and trailer and are aware of all the rules and requirements? It might cost more, but probably worth it.
 
liberty and tommy said:
I dont agreee with towing and would never do it but im aware that my views wont change other peoples! the perfect vechile for towingwould be a van. just out weigh the weight of horse and trailer
Click to expand...

In what way do you mean you 'don't agree with towing'?

If a substantial 4x4 which is designed for towing will weighs more than combined weight of horse & trailer, why would a van be more suitable? There is a lot more to towing than simply finding a vehicle heavier than the load.
 
Lunatic'srider said:
Hi, So I went to my trailer test today and was told on arrival that the load we had put in the trailer was not adequate for me to take the test. We were told that you must put 600kg in, which we had but it wasn't in clear bags or with the weight stamped obviously on the side. Anyway on discussing this the lady examiner told me that I could not tow this by myself, even though it is still under a combined weight of 3.5 tonnes? I was led to believe that you could tow anything up to a weight of 3.5 tonnes ( meaning the vehicle, trailer and load do not exceed this) hence why you can drive a 3.5 tonne lorry on just a car licence? This is also what it says on the Government website for towing guidelines.
So now im completely confused...and also slightly annoyed that I wasnt allowed to take the test! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
I wish you had asked me before starting this as I have all the info you need.
The first link in my signature below is where most ask me questions on towing

The Gov/DVLA info on the internet is flawed legally as it often omits the word MAM when mentioning the 3500 kg limit

For the B licence towing of a trailer over 750 kg plated MAM there is one extra rule on top of all the usual towing rules which is ...
.... the vehicle GVW added to the trailer plated MAM must not total more than 3500 kg

Licences go by the plated weights not the actual weights

GVW MAM MTPLM all mean the same thing = the maximum something can legally weigh when fully loaded

GVW for vehicle is on a weight plate which is usually hidden under the bonnet or in a door frame with the top figure of the 4 listed being the GVW

MAM for a horse trailer is usually on a silver plate fixed to the A frame between the towing hook and the main body



The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM DSA REVERSING TEST AREA DIAGRAM
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

The trailer must now be loaded with 600 kgs of sand bags or a 1000 kgs water IBC for the test so most companies are now training with that weight in the trailer = https://www.gov.uk/new-laden-testing-rules-for-driving-test-vehicles

Well explained here Well explained here

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test. So you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.
DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS
Remember that the required 600 kgs of sand bags or 1 x 1000 IBC filled with water will be required in the trailer and the load must be secure.



SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner
 
Lunatic'srider said:
Its so confusing. The vehicle weighs 1705, the trailer weighs 905. So with the 600 thats still only 3,210? Im going to go on the day course with the test the next day now so that I can use a suitable vehicle and go knowing that everything is ok.
Click to expand...
You are referring to actual weights but what matters is plated weights

I am going to guess that your vehicle has a GVW of about 2300 and the trailer has a plated MAM of about 2300 so thats a total of 4600 for licencing purposes which would be 1100 over the 3500 limit for B towing


Pity you are so far away from me as I would have helped you out for free - with expenses paid
 
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Thanks Rog, it was a nissan terrano with an ifor williams trailer that it used for logs, it was as high as the vehicle but I have no idea of the name of it, the woodmen just said that that was the weight.
I didn't even want to take the test, I wanted to go on the course first, which I will do now because thats the only way im going to be able to do it during the week as I don't have anyone to come with me. And it means I won't have to worry the whole time that there is something wrong with the vehicle/load/trailer.
 
liberty and tommy said:
I dont agreee with towing and would never do it but im aware that my views wont change other peoples! the perfect vechile for towingwould be a van. just out weigh the weight of horse and trailer
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with towing.......in fact how the heck do you think the food you eat gets to the supermarket to get put on the shelves???? yup it's towed there!! albeit by a tractor trailer unit (articulated lorry) !!!!!!! oh dearie me.....
 
Lunatic'srider said:
Thanks Rog, it was a nissan terrano with an ifor williams trailer that it used for logs, it was as high as the vehicle but I have no idea of the name of it, the woodmen just said that that was the weight.
I didn't even want to take the test, I wanted to go on the course first, which I will do now because thats the only way im going to be able to do it during the week as I don't have anyone to come with me. And it means I won't have to worry the whole time that there is something wrong with the vehicle/load/trailer.
Click to expand...
http://eng.auto24.lv/lietoti/nissan/terrano/1199259
Kerb 1705
GVW 2510

I was only 5 kg out on the weights so not a bad guess even though it was the wrong vehicle
 
We can't all have a lorry-and some of the ones I have seen I wouldn't put my horse in. I don't like towing but I have to do it if we want to go anywhere :(

Cannot see the advantage of a van-less traction and probably less towing capacity as van designed to carry weight or so I believe.

Good luck with it all OP.
 
marmalade76 said:
You can legally tow without taking the towing test, but the MAM of the trailer must not exceed the curb weight of the towing vehicle as well as the whole outfit not exceeding 3.5t. Sure Rog posted a combination that would work with these restrictions on one of his threads.
Click to expand...

As I understand, that rule isnt applicable anymore - ROG?
 
liberty and tommy said:
I dont agreee with towing and would never do it but im aware that my views wont change other peoples! the perfect vechile for towingwould be a van. just out weigh the weight of horse and trailer
Click to expand...

Agree with the others - very odd thing to say - why is that your view L & T? In fact the weight of my towing vehicle outweighs the weight of my trailer and horse by about 1000kgs.......
 
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