Trailer Test this week! Argh!

[chickeninabun]

I have my trailer test on thursday!! Eek!
I was feeling pretty confident until I tried to practice with my own horse trailer and Land Rover yesterday!! It was a nightmare!
Firstly, I am doing my training/test in a little Mazda 4 with a little light box trailer on the back, so when I tried to couple up my horsebox I nearly put my back out trying to move it slightly to the left to get the tow ball lined up. After much shunting about I managed to get it coupled up, then realised my yard wasn't big enough to practise my reversing manovure in, plus it was soooo muddy that the trailer just kept sliding around without the wheels even going round!!
I was sooo upset. I tried to practise for about 5 minutes, gave up then spent the next 20 minutes trying to put the fecking trailer back where it lives!!!
So now I think even if I do pass my test, how am I ever going to pull my own trailer when it's so different from the one I am learning with!!

Sorry moaning over.

 

[silverstar]

Good luck. The worst bit is the reversing. I did the test but failed on the reversing. I just couldnt get it. Dont worry about hitching up when you pass.

 

[lea840]

I was the same when I did my trailer test a few years back... I already had the entitlement on my licence for a trailer but i needed to get the 101 code (ristriction for hire & reward) removed as I needed to be able to tow trailer and get paid and not just as a 'favour' for someone...

Just take your time doing your reverse move, I found that I was talking to myself the whole time I was doing it (Werido) lol and i'm sure your drive part will go just fine, just watch your speed, nice and wide on the bends and corners and hammer those mirror checks... I bet you pass with flying colours

Once you have passed and its out of the way, get someone to help you with your own trailer and go and practice on the likes of Asda or B&Q Car park when they have closed and just get use to sticking it in parking spaces, once you have passed and the pressure is off you will find it really easy... its just whilst the pressure is on that it seems to be ridiculously hard lol

Good Luck!!

 

[chickeninabun]

I am worried about failing, because I have a competition I need to get to in two weeks time and also because it's so damn expensive!!! Not only the test fee, but the hire of the instructors car/trailer etc too!!

I'm feeling very confident about the driving part, and reasonably about the coupling up (just as long as I don't forget to unplug the electrics or something, it's just the reversing! Althought I did a lesson of just reversing the other week and I was quite good and felt I really knew what I was doing. Guess I'm just panicking now it's getting close. Stupid mud doesn't help either!!

 

[pip6]

Remember you pivot around the trailer wheels, so get them to the cone & start to turn. Turn the wheel the wrong way until you are about 2/3 as far as you need to turn, then chuck it around to the opposite turn so the car is turning the same way as the trailer, this will stop oversteer & jack knifeing. Take it slow, give it time to turn.

You say the trailer is light. Do be aware there is a minimum weight (which I can't remember off the top of my head) of trailer that can be used for this test, so some of the lighter ones aren't suitable. Check now rather than find out on the day. May be worth giving DSA a ring & ask to speak to someone who knows about B&E test regulations.

Good luck!