Looking at doing my trailer test

[undertaker]

I am in a position now where I need to be moving larger things around and a trailer is needed. I past my test after 1997 so I need to get my licence updated. Apparently I don't need to redo a theory test but I have to take a driving test again with a trailer on the back. Has anyone else done this?

 

[toddy]

i havent but i have been looking into it. let us know how you get on, and what it is like

 

[AndyStobbs]

My understanding is that 'we' those of us with the naff license can tow upto 750kg. I plan to do hgv and get the entitlement that way, while also gaining the option of hiring 7.5t when needed.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Yep did mine a few years ago, it's not easy if your not used to a trailer. most of it is changing your driving to suit the fact you've got a trailer on ie slowing sooner at junctions, driving smoother etc.

Dan

 

[brightspark]

Yep did mine a few years ago, it's not easy if your not used to a trailer. most of it is changing your driving to suit the fact you've got a trailer on ie slowing sooner at junctions, driving smoother etc.

Dan

thats the easy bit. what about any calculations for weight ect is there any of that??

 

[ford34/2]

Hers some bit help:: few links you can open as well

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

Stan

 

[dan.taylor.1]

No brightspark, in fact I had to ask about train weight total and that. Bit worrying really. The manouver (s bend reverse type job) was in a closed yard with only cones as obstructions, most of my reversing I'm lucky if all I'm avoiding is my dad! the trailer was empty and the car was so gutless it was unreal!

Dan

 

[pedrobedro]

I've got grandad rights but have always towed trailers and never had a problem. Last year we were coming home from a hospital visit and saw a chap in a Range Rover with a massive caravan on the back turn into a junction and drag the van across the front of a car waiting to pull out. He either didn't know what he was doing or forgot the van was on there but he made a real mess of the car and the side of his caravan. How big is the trailer used on the test ? I usually unhook my little one and wheel it like a barrow as the short ones are a pig to manoeuvre.

 

[rtbcomp]

........... I usually unhook my little one and wheel it like a barrow as the short ones are a pig to manoeuvre.

I had a 14' long 4 wheel trailer and it was a doddle to reverse compared to my small camping trailer. When reversing I kept an eye on the trailer through my door mirrors, if the trailer appeared in my left mirror then left hand down a bit to straighten it up.

 

[brightspark]

I had a 14' long 4 wheel trailer and it was a doddle to reverse compared to my small camping trailer. When reversing I kept an eye on the trailer through my door mirrors, if the trailer appeared in my left mirror then left hand down a bit to straighten it up.

yea my trailer cant be seen on the back of my van just when it turns in mirrors so just zigzag each way till its in sight. a couple of them plastic arms that people put on pushbikes with reflectors stuck out would help

 

[octo0072000]

the local one to Doncaster seems to be a big box trailer wonder if they have changed the rules lately

 

[Henrik]

I'm in need of the BE also.

Driven with trailers before, but that was many years ago. All the schools around here want something like 500 quid for the hire of the tow vehicle and trailer for the test, complete joke really.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I looked into BE but then realised that I never tow over 750kg anyway, and have a mate with a rigid if I ever need anything massive shifted.

need to get a tow hitch for the Renault migrane and a trailer.

funny story, ever since I was 15, whenever I went camping with my mother (which I was forced into, hate caravans!) my stepfather would tow the van there, then I had to jump in and reverse it into the plot. the last time I did it (about 4 years ago when I was 19 and actually had a license) the woman next to our plot found it hilarious that a man who ahs been driving for 30 years had to ask a teenager to reverse his caravan.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've got a little Erde (halfrauds) trailer and as above would rather push it by hand as it locks round really quick. I recently borrowed an Ifor Williams twin axle plant trailer and found it much easier to reverse, must be something to do with the distance from the hitch to the trailer axle(s)?.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Yeah 8x4 box trailer, yeah seen some guys who've been reversing/driving trailers for years royally screw up like at the auction mart where i've just pulled up and done it in one.

Dan

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've got a little Erde (halfrauds) trailer and as above would rather push it by hand as it locks round really quick. I recently borrowed an Ifor Williams twin axle plant trailer and found it much easier to reverse, must be something to do with the distance from the hitch to the trailer axle(s)?.

yes I think it has. my mothers caravan was much easier to reverse than my fathers box trailer. stands to reason that a longer distance between the hitch and the axle would mean slower turning motion.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Next door neighbour has a small box trailer that he takes rubbish to the tip in once a week behind his big Merc.
Last year he came back to drop the trailer off before going out again but got distracted and didn't actually unhitch the trailer!
Drove off down the narrow lane with the trailer dragging behind and met a tractor, he slammed it into reverse to back up to a pull in and CRUNCH as the trailer jack knifed into the back of the car.
He wasn't a happy bunny.

 

[monkeymark]

I haven't read all of this so apologies if its already been covered.

I believe the rules have changed slightly recently regarding the trailer needed for the test.

It still has to be a box trailer at least as wide and tall as the towing vehicle. But it now also needs to have weight in the back. There are fixed amounts for both solid and liquid (one or the other to be used, not both) though I cant remember what the amounts are.

You used to be able to use a caravan as the towed unit but I don't think that is allowed anymore.

 

[monkeymark]

yes I think it has. my mothers caravan was much easier to reverse than my fathers box trailer. stands to reason that a longer distance between the hitch and the axle would mean slower turning motion.

I agree.
The longer the trailer the easier it is to control.
I practiced with a small trailer before I got my caravan. If you can react quick enough to correct a small trailer, bigger is a piece of p*ss.

 

[julianf]

This all sounds a lot more complex than i was thinking it would be : (

My partner has a modern licence. Id like her to do the trailer test.

I was expecting somthing like £40 and reverse round that bend.... £115 just for the test, and im not even sure if you can use your own kit, or have to pay to hire stuff : (

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/car-trailer-practical-test