trailer test - hitching up?

maletto

maletto

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Hi all - so my trailer driving instructor told me recently that I was definitely ready for the test, but then we practiced hitching up and he said that you're only allowed to get out of the vehicle to check on your positioning just once.

Is this right? please tell me it's not!!! I can do it with two checks, but not one. (unless of course it is right, and I just need lots and LOTS more practice!!)
 
Yes thats right, you are allowed to get out once. When I did mine it was a pretty lightweight trailer though and they let you manhandle it once you were within about a foot. Just make sure the handbrake is on before you back up onto it, if you hit the hitch and the trailer rolls it is an automatic fail.
 
Yes you are allowed to have a hitching mirror attached to your trailer.
I had one on mine when I did my test and I although I failed on the reversing and also got failed for not overtaking a cyclist on a very windy single track country road where there wasnt a long enough straight bit of road to actually safely overtake I completed the rest without a fault. Had I not ballsed the reversing up due to nerves and other instructors saying to us before I started that the examiner I had was well known for being a bi*ch and failing people on their first test attempt and had I attempted to overtake the cyclist she would have failed me anyway we would have put an official complaint in. It was also unprofessional and unfair of the other instructors to comment about her prior to my test as I was then convinced I was going to fail before I started.
 
This must differ between testing places because in Leicester the candidate is allowed to check as many times as needed WITHIN REASON for the couple up.

The examiners will allow a couple-up to be deemed safe if the break-away cable can be attached before doing anything else so if close enough to do that and then move the trailer by hand then its a pass

The reverse is different because the candidate is only allowed to get out and check once to see if the rear of the trailer is in the 'box' correctly
 
I'm practising at the moment! personally I think its hard to get perfect position unless you have a rear view mirror, which my bf's van I use doesn't have, because then if the just line it up with the trailer easily. but even my heavy old rice trailer it possible to move a bit when it's off centre- even though I'm not exactly strong!
 
Argh, for me I'm always about 2" out, either from side to side or 2" too far away. I practiced for hours yesterday, literally about 20 attempts and just COULD NOT get it right.

I'm taking the test in my Ifor 511 and Kia Sorento (partly because I find the reversing manoeuvre easier in this combination) - I can just about shove the trailer into the right position, although are you allowed to take the handbrake off to position the trailer to the tow bar? obviously you have to have it on for the actual "hitch procedure"

Thanks all for your comments so far.
 
DO you get to use your own trailer - if so then with a permanent marker pen draw a vertical line up the trailer in line with the tow hitch and one on your vehicles back window - then you line them up. Then you have to get an eye for the distance between the vehicle and trailer to get them close together.
 
Must be different in different aread because I did my test a couple of weeks and I was allowed to get out and check as many times as I wanted (within a sensible reason). I got out 3 times because if you hit the towbar it's an instant fail!
 
I did it in Leicester, the car and trailer I used had a series of horizontal lines on them. Park, glance in mirror at which line up then match them up again.

I didn't get out at all
 
I have a feeling that the instructor mentioned in the first post has confused the uncouple rules with the reversing rules in regards to getting out and checking

To the OP - ask the examiner on test what the rules are on getting out and checking on the couple-up

DSA test examiners are humans doing a job and not 'gods'

Also, the DSA examiners doing upgrade tests tend to be more relaxed as they are dealing with those who can drive already
 
I am old enough to not need to do a test but i can hitch up on my own with only one look. I have a Kia sorrento and an Ifor but whatever you have just put the middle of the nose of the trailer in the middle of the window on the back of the vehicle and you wont be far off. IF you have a van then i use wing mirrors and mud guards and make sure you can see both trailer mud guards equal amounts in either wing mirror. I then just get lout and check when i think i am near enough and i usually about an inch away. I can then just manourve it over the ball and drop it on and way.
 
I open the tailgate of my 4x4 to hitch up so I can see the tow hitch.

Lucky for me I am old enough to not need the test, but don't see the point in restricting how many times you can look. In a real life situation you can get out as many times as you like.
 
As already mentioned make a mark on the trailer and back window to line it up. I used black duct tape on my trailer to line up with sticker in the rear window (passing horses slowly!)

I can easily pull my trailer on concrete onto the hitch which is what I did onto my test once I was close enough
 
I am old enough to not need to take a test, how stupid that you are restricted on how many times you can get out! In real life you would just do it as many as necessary. As a small lady driver with a large heavy Equitrek it is impossible to move it around without giving myself a hernia, so I have to line it up exactly & just wind it on to the car, sometimes its spot on, sometimes takes a few goes. Usually I can feel if its spot on as I feel it rub on the tow ball, so an instant fail then...
 
When I did mine (in Leicester) the instructor said I could only get out once to check. The car had a mark on the back window and the trailer had horizontal lines to match up. That only works if you remember to check before you drive away after un hitching...I forgot and then had to hitch up without!
 
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