Trailers

[sc_BK]

Started thinking about getting a trailer recently. Now i'm 19 and had my licence almost 6 months so from what I can make out I can tow up to something with a 750kg payload?

What about if I bought a 2nd hand trailer with no visible markings of it's payload? Could VOSA still do me?

[MrMPuk]

What about if I bought a 2nd hand trailer with no visible markings of it's payload? Could VOSA still do me?

To be legal the trailer has to have a weight plate, even if it's home made. So the answer is yes!

Why don't you just do your trailer test?

[FredTransit]

MrM, what is the trailer test, is it extra or including the over 3.5 T licence? Obviously those of us out here, me included that have an older licence aren't affected by this so I don't know.

[sc_BK]

Hmm £90 for a weekday test and I still need to find a big braked trailer to do it with

Can't really find much on the test, anyone know what it's like? Is it like the standard driving test but with a trailer on the back? ie you miss a mirror check, forget to "feed" the steering wheel on one corner and you've practically failed

[MrMPuk]

The test is harder and is carried out at the HGV test centre not the car test centre.

Rather then trying to find a trailer you would be better off going through a company that give trailer towing lessons.

[stevew]

Is this part of the new liecence requirements?
I've towed a trailer before but never doen any special test.

Steve

[FredTransit]

Is this part of the new liecence requirements?
I've towed a trailer before but never doen any special test.

Steve

it depends when you passed your test, I believe the rules changes in the mid 90s, around 96.

[Nathan_Cardiff]

News to me, ive used trailers for years and have never done a test!!! only had my license 8 years

[MrMPuk]

Anyone that passed there test after January 1997 can only tow a trailer up to GTW of 750kgs, so basically if you have passed your test after that date and don't have HGV class1 then you can only tow a very small trailer!

Alot of people get away with towing but if you get stopped or have an accident then you are stuffed!

[hdegroot]

Please be carefull with towing a trailer, if you have a normal driving license a new one...and your driving a company car the loading weigt of the towing car also counts So my transit:

1900kg For the van
1450kg loading space
-
3350kg

So i am able to pull a trailer of 150kg with the transit legally

(thats in holland)

[MrMPuk]

Please be carefull with towing a trailer, if you have a normal driving license a new one...and your driving a company car the loading weigt of the towing car also counts So my transit:

1900kg For the van
1450kg loading space
-
3350kg

So i am able to pull a trailer of 150kg with the transit legally

That's not quite right. What model is your van?

[stevew]

Maybe in Holland, but in the UK the gross train weight is usually 4500kgs for a 190. Isn't it?

Steve

[hdegroot]

Maybe in Holland, but in the UK the gross train weight is usually 4500kgs for a 190. Isn't it?

Steve

In holland my transit may only have a weight of 3300kg total. but i recon it can carry much more

[Handyvan]

This link seems to indicate who can drive what and when

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/inf30.pdf

[ovlov]

Never mind trailers they should make it compulsory for Caravan owners to take a test and for the Caravan to be MOT'd before they go on the road