164 replies to this topic

[Mangham54]

Don't underestimate doing the towing test. It'll be a full day, if not two, at the minimum, I'd have thought. By all accounts it's not easy and really is a mini-HGV test.

I think you are looking at around £500 all in to do this, including the test etc.
However Joe, I'm keen to do mine at somepoint, so it may be that we could share the costs of an instructor/tuition and bring this price down if you were up for that. Depends when you want/need to have qualified by.

G

Depending on when and where I may be interested in splitting it three ways, if that would be wise or possible

[cnrandall]

I could do with getting a couple of my lads through their towing tests so if it can be made cheaper with even more people let me know.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Joe, if you use my trailer and have a big enough tow car then you do not need the license

Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats

Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.
For example:

• a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle

Whereas

• the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
• Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

Towing caravans

As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.
An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users.
By passing a category B test national categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Drive there track and drive home is fine for trackdays (still risky though), but no good for a race car! Too much risk of a mechanical! After Oulton I thought I had no chance of mechanicals but I got caught out but thankfully had a trailer to get it home or else it would still be in Scotland

[RobNA]

Drive there track and drive home is fine for trackdays (still risky though), but no good for a race car! Too much risk of a mechanical! After Oulton I thought I had no chance of mechanicals but I got caught out but thankfully had a trailer to get it home or else it would still be in Scotland

Not to mention all the kit etc you need to run a race car properly

[JohnTurbo]

Show me a car towing another car on a trailer with a combined plated weight of under 3500kg and I will show you a fiesta towing a specialist trailer with a 'cheating' plated weight with a carbon caterham on it. It may be possible to do with a VX but it would mean incredibly careful selection of towing vehicle and a pretty much bespoke trailer. For example the MAM of your average 4x4 is about 2.8 tonnes. (Edit a Discovery 3 has a GVW of 3.2tonnes!) Hang on though Jimmy... is this what you've done?

Edited by JohnTurbo, 27 November 2011 - 06:57 PM.

[The Batman]

im on about getting a a4 estate which is well within weights with a vx on the back and all gear

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Show me a car towing another car on a trailer with a combined plated weight of under 3500kg and I will show you a fiesta towing a specialist trailer with a 'cheating' plated weight with a carbon caterham on it.

It may be possible to do with a VX but it would mean incredibly careful selection of towing vehicle and a pretty much bespoke trailer.

For example the MAM of your average 4x4 is about 2.8 tonnes.
(Edit a Discovery 3 has a GVW of 3.2tonnes!)

Hang on though Jimmy... is this what you've done?

Here goes

BMW X1 - Unladen weight 1470kg, Tow limit 2000kg.

Brian James A-T-532 MAM 1300kg, unladen weight 340kg

VX approx 850kg

Combined total = 1470 + 340 + 850 = 2660kg so nearly a tonne to spare on that front

Trailer MAM is also nearly 200kg less than the unladen weight of the X1 so all good on that front too

[Boombang]

Here goes

BMW X1 - Unladen weight 1470kg, Tow limit 2000kg.

Brian James A-T-532 MAM 1300kg, unladen weight 340kg

VX approx 850kg

Combined total = 1470 + 340 + 850 = 2660kg so nearly a tonne to spare on that front

Trailer MAM is also nearly 200kg less than the unladen weight of the X1 so all good on that front too

Jimmy,

it's nothing to do with actual weights mate, but you are still well legal.

You need to add gross weight of the X1 to the gross of trailer. i.e. 2000 + 1300 = 3300.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I wasn't too sure about the tow car MAM though as it's only listed as a manufacturors recommendation.....

[rob999]

I'll support you boys all the way, shout if I can do anything to help.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I'll support you boys all the way, shout if I can do anything to help.

How rude!! We're talking about towing

[CocoPops]

rob999 - Chief Fluffer

[rob999]

I have awesome lats jimmy, I can carry anyone And I don't know where Joe's opinion of lovely pitgirls came from judging on last year!!

[rob999]

rob999 - Chief Fluffer

Now now play nice Mr Pops

[JohnTurbo]

Specialist trailer ftw. Std Ifor Williams plated weight is 3000kg.

[Boombang]

I wasn't too sure about the tow car MAM though as it's only listed as a manufacturors recommendation.....

It'll be on the plate, on the car, or you can have a look on autotrader for the same car and check the 'dimensions' page, that has max weight.

Quick look suggests something like 2050kg

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Specialist trailer ftw. Std Ifor Williams plated weight is 3000kg.

Just a standard Brian James A Sport trailer.....

[G-Bob]

Here goes

BMW X1 - Unladen weight 1470kg, Tow limit 2000kg.

Brian James A-T-532 MAM 1300kg, unladen weight 340kg

VX approx 850kg

Combined total = 1470 + 340 + 850 = 2660kg so nearly a tonne to spare on that front

Trailer MAM is also nearly 200kg less than the unladen weight of the X1 so all good on that front too

Jimmy,

it's nothing to do with actual weights mate, but you are still well legal.

You need to add gross weight of the X1 to the gross of trailer. i.e. 2000 + 1300 = 3300.

The Mondeo and the ifor williams horse trailor that we had, combined gross+plated came to 3480kg.
The Trailor was originally plated for 1500kg but we had it re-plated to 1380kg's so that it would be below the limit for mrs M to drive.

She did her trailer test recently and apparently it's like sitting a car test all over again. No crossing hands, checking your blind-spots/mirrors every 7seconds or so. Glad I passed 3 months before they stopped giving b+e entitlement!

[CocoPops]

Glad I passed 3 months before they stopped giving b+e entitlement!

Ditto.... Oct 1996