Have you done your trailer test? - Page 2

simmons0 · 20 August 2007, 20:08

Just looked a few things up. The MAM of a Discovery is 3'200kg, so you can't tow a trailer over 750kg MAM
But if say you had a little Ford Focus with a MAM about 2000kg then you would be able to tow a trailer up to 1.500kg MAM.

Who makes these rules?

Tim M · 20 August 2007, 20:18

Don't forget about curbside weight; you can tow a trailer which has a MAM which is under the curbside weight of the car, not the MAM of the car. But then you are limited to this 3.5 tonne thing. So, for a Disco it would be 1.5 tons. A Focus is limited to 1000kg as that is the most it can tow.

simmons0 · 20 August 2007, 20:23

No the disco would be 750kg as you would be over the 3.5 tonnes total MAM

Tim M · 20 August 2007, 20:58

If that is the case I have just shot my self in the foot: I bought a Discovery two days ago to replace my Focus as it could tow more. It now seems without the trailer test I can tow less! As you say, who makes these rules!

Nos4r2 · 20 August 2007, 22:03

Have a look at this-it might help a bit.

Yep, you've shot yourself in the foot a bit but the disco will be a far better tow vehicle when you get the licence.

bedajim · 20 August 2007, 22:04

Happy to be old for a change

Nos4r2 · 20 August 2007, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Happy to be old for a change

It does have its advantages

Tim M · 20 August 2007, 22:31

Read the link above:

Quote:

If your trailer is below 750 kg MAM it can be towed by a vehicle up to 3500 kg making a total train weight of 4250 kg

So I can tow 750 with a Discovery without the test?

bedajim · 20 August 2007, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It does have its advantages

Not that bloody old (new powered winch going on this week just for you

)

Nos4r2 · 20 August 2007, 22:37

Seems so!

Nos4r2 · 20 August 2007, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Not that bloody old (new powered winch going on this week just for you

)

My hand's still swollen after that

. Funny, it never hurt though.

Has the winch slipped again?

bedajim · 20 August 2007, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

My hand's still swollen after that

. Funny, it never hurt though.

Has the winch slipped again?

No no problems and I've had it removed and stripped down so I'll look at it in the morning to check.

The new one will not slip

Biggles · 20 August 2007, 23:57

Tim,

If you need an old bloke to do some towing for you. Give me a shout.

I'm always game for a laugh.

Nick R.

Sixy_the_red · 21 August 2007, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Read the link above:

So I can tow 750 with a Discovery without the test?

Right.

The towing capacity of the car varies too. Some more 'industrial' cars, like your Disco probably, have the towing capacity specified on the VIN plate (usually on the bulkhead inside the engine bay). If the towing weight isn't specified then you can tow either 1/2 the kerbside weight of the car if the trailer is unbraked or 85% if the trailer is braked.

Tim. I want to do my trailer test too. You can usually find test routes on line if you find the test centre you want to use. Nos started training me for mine and it really is a serious eye opener - I THOUGHT I was a reasonably competent driver, but when you're being examined to HGV standards (he was when he was training me) its frightening the number of basic errors you make.

Personally after travelling home the other weekend and seeing the actics of some of the caravanners out there I would actually like to see mandetory trailer training for EVERYONE across the board. It is shocking the number of people towing who clearly don't have the first idea.

genoa · 21 August 2007, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Who on here has done their trailer test (the test for post 1997 drivers which allows you to tow up to 3.5 tonnes).

post 1997 .... does this mean that I am exempt for being more than 1997 years old?
(Seriously, I assume that cos I did my test pre 1997 I don't need to do this?)

Peter

bedajim · 21 August 2007, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by genoa

post 1997 .... does this mean that I am exempt for being more than 1997 years old?
(Seriously, I assume that cos I did my test pre 1997 I don't need to do this?)

Peter

Oh yes for the first time it's nice to be a little bit older no trailer test

James

simmons0 · 21 August 2007, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by genoa

post 1997 .... does this mean that I am exempt for being more than 1997 years old?
(Seriously, I assume that cos I did my test pre 1997 I don't need to do this?)

Peter

Yeah you already have the B+E license we want. And C1 and D1 which are small lorries and minibuses.

Sixy_the_red · 21 August 2007, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Oh yes for the first time it's nice to be a little bit older no trailer test

James

randski · 21 August 2007, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sixy_the_red

If the towing weight isn't specified then you can tow either 1/2 the kerbside weight of the car if the trailer is unbraked or 85% if the trailer is braked.

Car driving licence obtained since 1st jan 1997-Category B = Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM & with up to 8 passenger seats

Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM).

"OR"

A trailer over 750kg 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.

The best, and in the long run, cheapest way is to learn with a qualified instructor.

Sixy_the_red · 21 August 2007, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by randski

Car driving licence obtained since 1st jan 1997-Category B = Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM & with up to 8 passenger seats

Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM).

"OR"

A trailer over 750kg 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.

The best, and in the long run, cheapest way is to learn with a qualified instructor.

I wasn't talking about licencing, I was talking about vehicle set-up...

For instance, without a b+e licence, you couldn't tow a 900kg trailer behind an unplated car weighing 1000kg as the trailer would be too heavy for the CAR to tow legally and safely (the maximum unplated towing weight of a 1Tonne car being 850kg, assuming the trailer is braked)

However, in Tim's case, the plated towing capacity of the disco may well be 3.5 tonne, but it would be illegal for him from a licencing perspective to tow anything over (at a guess) about 1.5 tonne.