towing a caravan

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Mar 24, 09 7:34 pm

i have a quick look on the dvla and similar sites but they are all just confusing me

i passed my test six years ago

in order to tow a caravan/large trailer what test do i need to go for, does it involve a theory test, how much will it cost me and in the end would it be easier for me to go for a lorry license again providing having a lorry license you can tow a caravan

please dont just post links to sites as i have looked and its just numbers and letters getting me confused

thanks

the dodge · Post by **the dodge** » Tue Mar 24, 09 7:41 pm

what pictures does your licence show? if it shows a picture with a car towing a caravan/trailer then you are ok it will list dates after it to show from & to, i presume if yours doesnt show it then you cant tow jack

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Mar 24, 09 7:43 pm

i have B and B1 on my license,there are no cars towing

the dodge · Post by **the dodge** » Tue Mar 24, 09 7:50 pm

have you got the new type credit card licence (2 part, credit card + paperbit) on the credit card one on the reverse it will list your entitlement, dont know about the paper one as i dont know where mine is

this is the entitlement for B (B1 is quads, trikes etc)

Cars
Description Category B Minimum Age 17 See Note 2
Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg having not more than 8 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg. Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle.

so it looks like you can tow

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Mar 24, 09 7:55 pm

i know i can tow a small trailer but its caravan i want to tow,i know i cannot tow one with my current license,i do need to know what license i need to tow a caravan though

the dodge · Post by **the dodge** » Tue Mar 24, 09 8:34 pm

dont know then mate, the info above says you can tow up to 3500kg inc tow vehicle surely yours or justins mopes + a caravan isnt going to weigh more than that?

The car and trailer practical driving test
The car and trailer test (B+E) is based on the lorry driving test and lasts for approximately one hour. Please note that B+E tests are conducted at vocational (bus and lorry) driving test centres.

The towing test (B+E) includes vehicle safety questions, an off-road reverse manoeuvre, a controlled stop, uncoupling and coupling of the trailer and driving on the road.

You won't be expected to carry out the following exercises:

emergency stop on the public road
reversing round a corner
reverse parking
turning in the road

good luck with the test

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Tue Mar 24, 09 9:02 pm

You can tow up to 750kg caravans. So if you stick with a light weight 'van you'll be ok on your current licence. How big are you thinking Si?

charger01 · Post by **charger01** » Tue Mar 24, 09 9:35 pm

Its not a weight issue Gringo. Simon needs the trailer/caravan to transport his spare shoes

Post by **MattH** » Wed Mar 25, 09 12:21 am

You can tow a caravan if I understand it correctly provided the combined weight is under 3500kg.
Our big c6 berth single axle caravan is 1300kg in running order, so with the car (Holden) at 1500kg, total is 2800kg, ie below 3500.
The 750kg bit is a red herring as it mans you can tow a 750kg trailer behind a 3500kg vehicle, ie total of 4250kg with a small trailer.
A 750kg caravan is virtually unheard of, other than Guy Whitwams single sleeper.
I will try to find the caravan clubs take on this to clarify further but this is the Traffic Police interpretation.

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Wed Mar 25, 09 12:25 am

MattH wrote:You can tow a caravan if I understand it correctly provided the combined weight is under 3500kg.
Our big c6 berth single axle caravan is 1300kg in running order, so with the car (Holden) at 1500kg, total is 2800kg, ie below 3500.
The 750kg bit is a red herring as it mans you can tow a 750kg trailer behind a 3500kg vehicle, ie total of 4250kg with a small trailer.
A 750kg caravan is virtually unheard of, other than Guy Whitwams single sleeper.
I will try to find the caravan clubs take on this to clarify further but this is the Traffic Police interpretation.

matt the master,

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Mar 25, 09 7:30 am

Aren't you dangerous enough on the road as it is Si???

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Mar 25, 09 9:07 am

Any pratt can tow a caravan. Hence the problem every bank holiday.

The tricky bit is making sure your car is up to it. Obviously a heavy Mopar is ideal. But you will get into difficulty with a Corsa.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Mar 25, 09 9:24 am

Si, why don't you just pay someone else to tow it for you

Post by **MattH** » Wed Mar 25, 09 11:09 am

Here is the caravan club advice on this which is the same as mine but spelt better (I did post at gone midnight after a late shift).

"As caravans continue to become heavier the B+E test is becoming more and more relevant to caravanners. Many people wishing to tow a combined weight of more than 3,500kg will have to ensure they have passed this test before setting out.

If you are towing an average sized caravan with an average sized car it is likely that you will not exceed this limit, however, with 4 x 4s and other larger vehicles weighing nearly 3,000kg themselves, it is likely that many members will be affected."

TOWED OUTFITS AND RIGID MOTOR CARAVAN OUTFITS
CATEGORY B LICENCE FIRST OBTAINED ON OR AFTER 1 JANUARY 1997
MAY DRIVE:
a. Towed Outfits driver restricted to a combined MAM of 3,500kg and the trailer MAM must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (85% ratio remains strongly recommended). If this MAM is to be exceeded an E Test pass is required.
b. Rigid Motor Caravans without trailer driver restricted to a MAM of 3,500kg until obtaining a pass of the LGV test, after which the driver is qualified to 7,500kg MAM.
c. Rigid Motor Caravan towing trailer provided the trailer does not exceed 750kg and the combined MAM does not exceed 4,250kg no further test is required for this type of outfit. However if the trailer MAM exceeds 750kg then a. applies for a vehicle less than 3,500kg. Otherwise an LGV test plus an E Test is needed.

So Simon, provided you have an average sized caravan and are towing it with a suitable car, and the two together don't exceed 3,500kg and the car is heavier than the caravan, you are OK. Go for it, shed dragging is great fun, and there are some great vans for not alot of money. It beats wandering to the bogs at Santa Pod when you've got your own on board.

Please just forewarn everyone of your route to the Nats

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Mar 25, 09 1:41 pm

thats fantastic newsi already own a caravan its a bit ropey but does the job me and kiwi owned it untill i bought his half

now i need a tow bar