Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained

[R0G]

TVR1 said:

Hi Guys/Gals , this is a question that may come up more and more frequently. Just about to take delivery of a 2020 Toyota Corrolla 1.8 hybrid.

Maximum towing capacity with braked trailer is 750kg.

I’ve found a beautifully restored modernised Compass Echo (I like retro!)
They have standard weight of 580kg but max allowable of 850.

Question is? Can I still tow as long as I keep the caravan weight under 751 kg and I don’t exceed the Train weight for the car, or is this a non starter?

Legally yes but keeping the load to a max of 170kg may not be practical

[dhutch]

R0G said:

TVR1 said:

Hi Guys/Gals , this is a question that may come up more and more frequently. Just about to take delivery of a 2020 Toyota Corrolla 1.8 hybrid.

Maximum towing capacity with braked trailer is 750kg.

I’ve found a beautifully restored modernised Compass Echo (I like retro!)
They have standard weight of 580kg but max allowable of 850.

Question is? Can I still tow as long as I keep the caravan weight under 751 kg and I don’t exceed the Train weight for the car, or is this a non starter?

Legally yes but keeping the load to a max of 170kg may not be practical

And am I right in saying the normally it should also be down-plated to the new max weight matching the car?

You can get the setup weighed at one of a reasonable number of public weight bridges. If unsure or unlikely looking it's perhaps well worth the £10 cost to get a print out of it for the glove box.
This is what 21yo me did when towing a 14ft covered car transporter behind a pug306 on a post-97 Cat B only license. However despite looking 12 and having a car trailer that was a foot wider, taller, and 2ft longer than the little hatchback towing it, I never got stopped in all the miles done with it.

Daniel

[TVR1]

R0G said:

TVR1 said:

Hi Guys/Gals , this is a question that may come up more and more frequently. Just about to take delivery of a 2020 Toyota Corrolla 1.8 hybrid.

Maximum towing capacity with braked trailer is 750kg.

I’ve found a beautifully restored modernised Compass Echo (I like retro!)
They have standard weight of 580kg but max allowable of 850.

Question is? Can I still tow as long as I keep the caravan weight under 751 kg and I don’t exceed the Train weight for the car, or is this a non starter?

Legally yes but keeping the load to a max of 170kg may not be practical

Much appreciated.

Thank you.

I find myself slightly embarrassed to ask as I think I should know this stuff.

Many moons ago, I had an A/AB triple endorsement but fek me if I can work out light stuff!

[TVR1]

dhutch said:

R0G said:

TVR1 said:

Hi Guys/Gals , this is a question that may come up more and more frequently. Just about to take delivery of a 2020 Toyota Corrolla 1.8 hybrid.

Maximum towing capacity with braked trailer is 750kg.

I’ve found a beautifully restored modernised Compass Echo (I like retro!)
They have standard weight of 580kg but max allowable of 850.

Question is? Can I still tow as long as I keep the caravan weight under 751 kg and I don’t exceed the Train weight for the car, or is this a non starter?

Legally yes but keeping the load to a max of 170kg may not be practical

And am I right in saying the normally it should also be down-plated to the new max weight matching the car?

You can get the setup weighed at one of a reasonable number of public weight bridges. If unsure or unlikely looking it's perhaps well worth the £10 cost to get a print out of it for the glove box.
This is what 21yo me did when towing a 14ft covered car transporter behind a pug306 on a post-97 Cat B only license. However despite looking 12 and having a car trailer that was a foot wider, taller, and 2ft longer than the little hatchback towing it, I never got stopped in all the miles done with it.

Daniel

Did it have a car in it?


Either way, sounds like you where lucky.

Well, yes, you’re correct. Probably no one will ever be pulled. Towing a trailer, with car (loaded) 150% over cars weight is probably not a good idea.

I could, purchase a cheeky double axle caravan of 1500kg.

My car looks ok.

Probably, I’d not be stopped. Ever.

But when I wake up from the smash, when I made a mistake and look at the dead bodies around me ‘Cos I didn't give a fcuck?

I’d prefer to be safe and do the rules.

Think about it. These rules are not just about you. They’re for others safety too.

[eltax91]

TVR1 said:

dhutch said:

R0G said:

TVR1 said:

Hi Guys/Gals , this is a question that may come up more and more frequently. Just about to take delivery of a 2020 Toyota Corrolla 1.8 hybrid.

Maximum towing capacity with braked trailer is 750kg.

I’ve found a beautifully restored modernised Compass Echo (I like retro!)
They have standard weight of 580kg but max allowable of 850.

Question is? Can I still tow as long as I keep the caravan weight under 751 kg and I don’t exceed the Train weight for the car, or is this a non starter?

Legally yes but keeping the load to a max of 170kg may not be practical

And am I right in saying the normally it should also be down-plated to the new max weight matching the car?

You can get the setup weighed at one of a reasonable number of public weight bridges. If unsure or unlikely looking it's perhaps well worth the £10 cost to get a print out of it for the glove box.
This is what 21yo me did when towing a 14ft covered car transporter behind a pug306 on a post-97 Cat B only license. However despite looking 12 and having a car trailer that was a foot wider, taller, and 2ft longer than the little hatchback towing it, I never got stopped in all the miles done with it.

Daniel

Did it have a car in it?


Either way, sounds like you where lucky.

Well, yes, you’re correct. Probably no one will ever be pulled. Towing a trailer, with car (loaded) 150% over cars weight is probably not a good idea.

I could, purchase a cheeky double axle caravan of 1500kg.

My car looks ok.

Probably, I’d not be stopped. Ever.

But when I wake up from the smash, when I made a mistake and look at the dead bodies around me ‘Cos I didn't give a fcuck?

I’d prefer to be safe and do the rules.

Think about it. These rules are not just about you. They’re for others safety too.

He did say 21 year old him did it. Hinting that this action might be in the past....

We all did stuff when we first passed that we would never do now I’m sure

[R0G]

There is no legal requirement to down plate a trailer so it does not exceed the max towing capacity or GTW of a vehicle
There are plenty of internet myths saying otherwise

Just use the lowest weight of either the max tow or trailer MAM as the max limit for the loaded trailer

[meb90]

Hi

Just checking my understanding having read the thread.

Car is a Mondeo:
Max Vehicle Mass: 2295kg
Max Train Mass: 4095kg

On my current B (post 1997) licence, I can tow a trailer up to 1205kg (3500-2295) Max Authorised Mass.

If I do my B+E test, I can tow a trailer of MAM of anything (up to 3500kg) as long I don't go over 1800kg (4095-2295)? [Actual trailer rating excepted - I get that I can't overload the trailer]

Cheers!

[Slow]

You can only tow 750kg on a regular B

[meb90]

Slow said:

You can only tow 750kg on a regular B

Unbraked though I thought?

I could tow 1205kg if it was braked and rated with a MAM of 1205kg or less?

Apologies if I'm wrong!

[eltax91]

meb90 said:

Unbraked though I thought?

I could tow 1205kg if it was braked and rated with a MAM of 1205kg or less?

Apologies if I'm wrong!

You’re not wrong

[meb90]

Lovely, thanks both.

Now to pull my finger out and sort my B+E test!

[TVR1]

meb90 said:

Lovely, thanks both.

Now to pull my finger out and sort my B+E test!

Something I’m looking into, offering towing training.. If you’re anywhere near me, happy for you to be my Test Pupil. I’m an ADI, hence the embarrassment about not knowing the rules.

[R0G]

meb90 said:

Hi

Just checking my understanding having read the thread.

Car is a Mondeo:
Max Vehicle Mass: 2295kg
Max Train Mass: 4095kg

On my current B (post 1997) licence, I can tow a trailer up to 1205kg (3500-2295) Max Authorised Mass.

If I do my B+E test, I can tow a trailer of MAM of anything (up to 3500kg) as long I don't go over 1800kg (4095-2295)? [Actual trailer rating excepted - I get that I can't overload the trailer]

Cheers!

All your figures are legally spot on

[R0G]

Slow said:

You can only tow 750kg on a regular B

Where did that incorrect info come from?

[meb90]

Rog: cheers, thanks.

TVR: thanks for the offer, I'm based in Derby, if that is anywhere near you.

[F17SRF]

R0G said:

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner

Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing rule

I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules

Edited by R0G on Sunday 8th January 10:15

Is this still the rule for supervising a B+E learner? Can't find anything on the gov.uk site.

[eltax91]

F17SRF said:

Is this still the rule for supervising a B+E learner? Can't find anything on the gov.uk site.

Yes. I passed my B + E last November time, the leaflet they gave me included being at least 21 and having held B + E for 3 years before I could supervise.

[F17SRF]

eltax91 said:

Yes. I passed my B + E last November time, the leaflet they gave me included being at least 21 and having held B + E for 3 years before I could supervise.

Thank you! Had another look and still can't find this info online though, strange!

[R0G]

F17SRF said:

Thank you! Had another look and still can't find this info online though, strange!

https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/practising-with-family-or-friends
Does that help?

[eltax91]

R0G said:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-dri...
Does that help?

That just says you must have held your full driving license for 3 years. Doesn’t say B+E entitlement held for 3 years too.

I’m almost certain I read it on a leaflet I got when I passed as I was thinking about getting my brother some practice in