Welcome to HHO Towing Clinic

[ROG]

O lord.......this is confusing!
Trailer plated MAM 2600
GVW 1390

I think the kerb weight is 1400 with the GTW being 1500 does that make sense!

I always go by the the braked weight of the car + unladen weight of trailer + horse/tack
1400+920+400=2620!!

Please tell me if I'm wrong!
Kel

You are wrong
A car like yours

Your total is the GVW which is likely to be around 2000 added to the trailer MAM of 2600 = 4600 which is way over the legal 3500 limit for B licence towing

With a kerbweight of 1390 then contacting Ifor Williams to have the trailer down plated to 1390 MAM would solve it and leave 470 kgs for the horse/load

 

[ROG]

I am 67 and when I am 70 I need to renew my licence. I have heard that although my current licence covers trailer towing my new licence will not and although I have towed for very many years I will need to take a trailer test. Is that true and what is the cost implication of this please?

I don't know who told you that but they are very ill-informed

The B+E remains valid as long as the B is valid

You will temporarily lose the right to drive anything in the C & D categories until you pass a D4 form medical - but that is your choice

 

[km-j]

Looking at the Ifor Williams 401, the trailer MAM is 1600 with the GVW of 1960 takes me to 3560 plus the load (I take it) takes it even higher. I take it the B1 does doesn't help! So I would need to get a smaller car unless I take the B&E. the camping and caravaning site gives the wrong messages out to people! Thanks

 

[ROG]

Looking at the Ifor Williams 401, the trailer MAM is 1600 with the GVW of 1960 takes me to 3560 plus the load (I take it) takes it even higher. I take it the B1 does doesn't help! So I would need to get a smaller car unless I take the B&E. the camping and caravaning site gives the wrong messages out to people! Thanks

At 1600 it would still be above the vehicle kerbweight so would need down plating to 1390

TWO EXTRA RULES for B licence towing ...

The vehicle GVW + trailer MAM must not be more than 3500
AND
The trailer MAM must not be more than vehicle kerbweight

 

[ROG]

DOWN PLATING OF TRAILERS

Just a note for those that may need to know ....

Rice/Richardson trailers have gone out of business so now along with other trailer manufacturers like Bayhill, those trailers cannot now be down plated as only a manufacturer of a trailer can down plate it

New EU rules for trailer manufacturers mean that unless a new trailer has had many plated options given for it then those cannot be down plated either
This does not affect trailers already built prior to the EU ruling

For many B licence drivers who need a down plated trailer it could be an issue

 

[flow]

Hi Rog I wondered if you could help me. I will be taking my trailer test so will have the license but want to check that the set up I have is legal. I have a freelender td4 3 door and a 505 ifor williams triler. my horse weighs 550kg but I'm not sure about the other numbers. I dont know if you have answered this already but seeing as there are 101 pages to go through it would be quicker to ask. also do I have to take into consideration the drivers weight/passanger and any tack etc. many thanks

 

[ROG]

Hi Rog I wondered if you could help me. I will be taking my trailer test so will have the license but want to check that the set up I have is legal. I have a freelender td4 3 door and a 505 ifor williams triler. my horse weighs 550kg but I'm not sure about the other numbers. I dont know if you have answered this already but seeing as there are 101 pages to go through it would be quicker to ask. also do I have to take into consideration the drivers weight/passanger and any tack etc. many thanks

From what I could find on the internet ....
TD4 towing capacity = 2000 kgs
505 MAM = 2600 & unladen = 900 kgs

That means you can load about 1100 kgs into the trailer

 

[joolie]

Hi

How do you go about downplating a trailer if the manufacturer is no longer trading?

I have just bought a small double Bahill trailer which weighs 700kg empty. I am wanting to tow this with an X Trail and a single horse (500kg) on a B licence...

Thanks

 

[joolie]

Actually just seen the post above - does that mean there is no way it can be done? Shame

 

[ROG]

Actually just seen the post above - does that mean there is no way it can be done? Shame

The only way I can think of is if you know a trailer maker who makes and plates trailers to modify your trailer in some small way so they can call it their own in which case they can plate it as a 'new' trailer

 

[km-j]

Hi, I have just enquired about the B&E training and test and the nearest one to me uses a Berlingo Van......what do you think? The other centre I have found is 40 minutes away and use a X trail 4x4 but I am worried about not knowing the roads etc! I don't know what to do, which one would you say would be better to drive and learn in? Thanks

 

[ROG]

Hi, I have just enquired about the B&E training and test and the nearest one to me uses a Berlingo Van......what do you think? The other centre I have found is 40 minutes away and use a X trail 4x4 but I am worried about not knowing the roads etc! I don't know what to do, which one would you say would be better to drive and learn in? Thanks

Where you do it will make no difference because you will be expected to cope with any situation you are presented with and all situations are different even on local roads

The last test you did was as a learner - this test you will do as a driver

Take the option with the set up (vehicle/trailer/instructor) that you are most comfortable with

 

[CrazyMare]

Just had to post to say thanks to Rog, for suggesting Data Academy in Leicester to do my training.

Did 2 days with them, and passed first time this morning!!

 

[ROG]

Just had to post to say thanks to Rog, for suggesting Data Academy in Leicester to do my training.

Did 2 days with them, and passed first time this morning!!

WELL DONE

I know of certain companies around the UK that I would recommend because their good reputations follow them around on many internet sites

 

[SusieB1972]

Hello. Just checking this would be legal for towing... was pretty certain it was until someone told me no way... Now I'm confused. Someone muttering something about gross train weight which I can't find in vehicle handbook but surely my set up works on your forumla? Also I've been told I'm "illegal" unless I downplate my trailer to 2200kg - but isn't this just a myth? It's the actual weight I'm towing, not the trailer's capacity that counts? This has probably been asked a million times before but a million thanks anyway!

1 - B + E licence
2 - 1655kg unladen weight of the towing vehicle
3 - 2250kg GVW of the towing vehicle
4 - 2200kg max braked trailer capacity
5 - 2700kg plated MAM (511)
6 - 1000kg unladen/empty weight of the trailer "
7 - 540 kg horse weight (only EVER travel a single horse, may sometimes have 12hh pony in too for company)

 

[ROG]

WELCOME

Hello. Just checking this would be legal for towing... was pretty certain it was until someone told me no way... Now I'm confused. Someone muttering something about gross train weight which I can't find in vehicle handbook but surely my set up works on your forumla? Also I've been told I'm "illegal" unless I downplate my trailer to 2200kg - but isn't this just a myth? It's the actual weight I'm towing, not the trailer's capacity that counts? This has probably been asked a million times before but a million thanks anyway!

1 - B + E licence
2 - 1655kg unladen weight of the towing vehicle
3 - 2250kg GVW of the towing vehicle
4 - 2200kg max braked trailer capacity
5 - 2700kg plated MAM (511)
6 - 1000kg unladen/empty weight of the trailer "
7 - 540 kg horse weight (only EVER travel a single horse, may sometimes have 12hh pony in too for company)

YES it is a myth

The GTW is usually the GVW + the towing capacity which in this case is 4450 and can be found on a plate somewhere on the vehicle - often some where around the passenger door but needs the door to be open to see it

Load a max of 1200 into the trailer and all will be fine

The person giving you incorrect info probably thinks GTW means the total of the vehicle GVW + the trailer plated MAM but that is wrong because GTW refers to the actual weight of the combination and not the total of the possible it can be according to plated weights

 

[SusieB1972]

Rog, thanks, you are a LEGEND!

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Hello,

Question for ROG....

I posted a question a while back about the Honda crv which I have since bought (great little runner- very happy with it) I am now looking at a trailer so my question is: is this a suitable combination....

*2000 Honda CRV executive 2.0l petrol

*1992 Bateson HB trailer

*one horse (weighing around 500kg) will need to weigh tape her again just to be sure.

 

[ROG]

Hello,

Question for ROG....

I posted a question a while back about the Honda crv which I have since bought (great little runner- very happy with it) I am now looking at a trailer so my question is: is this a suitable combination....

*2000 Honda CRV executive 2.0l petrol

*1992 Bateson HB trailer

*one horse (weighing around 500kg) will need to weigh tape her again just to be sure.

I need more info

Exact model of car and exact model of trailer

OR

Vehicle
GVW
KERB
TOWING CAPACITY

Trailer
PLATED MAM
UNLADEN WEIGHT

 

[KarlyHT]

Hi Rog, you helped me last time with my old trailer and horse so hoping you can clarify my set up for new trailer and horse.

1 - b licence
2 - 1320kg unladen weight of the towing vehicle
3 - 1880kg GVW of the towing vehicle (shown in handbook as gross weight limit, is this correct?)
4 - I can't find this figure - only has 8% gradient figure which is 1700kg max braked trailer capacity??
5 - 1600kg plated MAM (ifor Williams 401 ( in process if getting this downplated to match kerb weight which will be 1320kg)
6 - 770kg unladen/empty weight of the trailer "

Car is audi a3 2.0tdi sline stronic.
Thanks Rog!

 

[KarlyHT]

Braked towing weight is 1700kg.

 

[ROG]

Hi Rog, you helped me last time with my old trailer and horse so hoping you can clarify my set up for new trailer and horse.

1 - b licence
2 - 1320kg unladen weight of the towing vehicle
3 - 1880kg GVW
4 - 1700kg max braked trailer capacity
5 - 1600kg plated MAM (ifor Williams 401 ( in process if getting this downplated to match kerb weight which will be 1320kg)
6 - 770kg unladen/empty weight of the trailer "

Car is audi a3 2.0tdi sline stronic.
Thanks Rog!

LEGAL when trailer downplated to 1320

Max load for trailer when downplated = 550 kgs

 

[barakis]

ROG

forgive me if i am asking something that has already been answered, i understand the licenses but I am still unclear as to actual weight limits.

i thought that driving a weight over 3,500KG required a C1? or is this just for the main vehicle?


so for example, lets assume my MAM and such is legal, if my vehicle is 2 tonnes, and I am towing a 1 tonne trailer with 2 x 650KG horses. this is a total weight of 4,300KG.

is this ok on a B+E? I thought this would require a C1? what part of the license law am i missing?

appologies once again if i am repeating, and thanks for your time

 

[ROG]

ROG

forgive me if i am asking something that has already been answered, i understand the licenses but I am still unclear as to actual weight limits.

i thought that driving a weight over 3,500KG required a C1? or is this just for the main vehicle?


so for example, lets assume my MAM and such is legal, if my vehicle is 2 tonnes, and I am towing a 1 tonne trailer with 2 x 650KG horses. this is a total weight of 4,300KG.

is this ok on a B+E? I thought this would require a C1? what part of the license law am i missing?

appologies once again if i am repeating, and thanks for your time

main vehicle GVW/MAM determines the first part of the licence requirement

If the vehicles have no more than 9 seats total .....
not more than 3500 = B
3500 to 7500 = C1

 

[barakis]

So the main vehicle + trailer can be over 3500 with B+E, as long as the main vehicle is less than 3500 on its own?

 

[ROG]

So the main vehicle + trailer can be over 3500 with B+E, as long as the main vehicle is less than 3500 on its own?

yes, 3500 gvw/mam not actual weight

 

[barakis]

Thanks a million percent, this bit of info is impossible to find.

This being said.

License - b+e
Vehicle - nissan navara 2005 2.5dci
Trailer weight empty 1000kg
Trailer MAM 2700kg

Horses 2x 650kg aprox.

THanks once again for clearing the last part up.

 

[ROG]

Thanks a million percent, this bit of info is impossible to find.

This being said.

License - b+e
Vehicle - nissan navara 2005 2.5dci
Trailer weight empty 1000kg
Trailer MAM 2700kg

Horses 2x 650kg aprox.

THanks once again for clearing the last part up.

Vehicle
GVW 3210 = B category as not more than 3500
Kerb 2085
Towing capacity 2600

Trailer
MAM 2700
Unladen 1000

B+E licence needed as total MAM is 5910 (3210+2700) which is well over the 3500 limit for B licence towing

Max load for trailer = 1600 kgs (2600-1000)

 

[barakis]

Vehicle
GVW 3210 = B category as not more than 3500
Kerb 2085
Towing capacity 2600

Trailer
MAM 2700
Unladen 1000

B+E licence needed as total MAM is 5910 (3210+2700) which is well over the 3500 limit for B licence towing

Max load for trailer = 1600 kgs (2600-1000)

Rog you are a legend. why is this so hard to find online?

thanks once again.

 

[ROG]

... why is this so hard to find online?

Because the Govt agencies do not use plain English with current examples but I do