TOWING QUESTION (NOOB) :)

[lixah]

Hey, so i recently decided that i could use a trailer, basically i thought i'd come here to get a bit of advice.
Firstly, i have a 92 volvo 940 2.3 auto, with tow bar, so i want to know, would this be ok to pull a large trailer (im not sure exactly what kind yet).
I want a trailer big enough to be able to get any (90%) of cars onto it np. I dont know much about trailers, but have been looking at them (mainly on ebay), so another question is, what kind of trailer would you suggest, i want to spend around ~£500 on it, I know this isnt much in todays market, decent trailers seem to sell for more than a recovery truck would, but its less hassle.
and lastly, what driving laws/issues do i need to be aware of?
and really any advice/experience people have to offer would be great.

much appreciated, matt.

[Whiskeydog]

I'm guessing you should read this first.....
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/new-rules-for-towing-tr...

Apparently, if you pass your test after 1st Jan 1997, you need to do an extra test for towing.

[RDMcG]

You need to be very clear on the towing capacity of your car and what kind of loaded trailer weight you are thinking about.Normally you do not tow more than 75% of the rated towing capacity.

I live in Canada and trailer cars periodically but I have a fully braked trailer with a trailer controller in the car to be able to adjust the trailer braking for various loads.

Naturally you need to be very familiar with British rules and requirements for a legal trailer setup.

[James_N]

Licences held from 1 January 1997

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)

So for example, I too have a volvo 940 turbo. For a short while I had a caravan (I think from memory it weighed 1200KGS). Add that to the weight of the car and it was still under the 3.5t limit (we were 4 up and heavily loaded going to le mans though, but still had no issues)

I think volvo 940 + trailer with caterham might be ok but trailer + something like another volvo, would be a no no. I guess it depends on the weight of the car you have on the trailer.

I never had any hassle with volvo + caravan but if i'm reading the rules right, I wouldn't be allowed to drive my dads jeep + caravan as it would be over the 3.5t rule.

/edit - knew there was a post on this somewhere explaining this in SP&L: http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by James_N on Friday 1st February 05:35

[LooneyTunes]

James_N said:

I think volvo 940 + trailer with caterham might be ok but trailer + something like another volvo, would be a no no. I guess it depends on the weight of the car you have on the trailer.

MAM of the trailer is what is relevant. Having a lighter car on there doesn't help as it's about what the trailer could carry. Has always seemed odd to me though...

[HustleRussell]

You won't be able to tow much at all with a 940 and a post-'97 driving license. Probably 1,500kg max, which means you certainly won't be legally towing '90% of cars'- just small classics and hatchbacks.

Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 1st February 08:01

[Supernova190188]

With a post '97 licence isn't it 750kg you can tow at the maximum if you haven't passed your trailer test? I may be wrong though!

[R0G]

lixah said:

Hey, so i recently decided that i could use a trailer, basically i thought i'd come here to get a bit of advice.
Firstly, i have a 92 volvo 940 2.3 auto, with tow bar, so i want to know, would this be ok to pull a large trailer (im not sure exactly what kind yet).
I want a trailer big enough to be able to get any (90%) of cars onto it np. I dont know much about trailers, but have been looking at them (mainly on ebay), so another question is, what kind of trailer would you suggest, i want to spend around ~£500 on it, I know this isnt much in todays market, decent trailers seem to sell for more than a recovery truck would, but its less hassle.
and lastly, what driving laws/issues do i need to be aware of?
and really any advice/experience people have to offer would be great.

much appreciated, matt.

Do you have a BE on your driving licence ? (If passed car test before 1997 then you deffo will)

Check the weight plate on the Volvo (or the V5 reghistered keepers document)
The first weight listed will be the GVW
The second will be the GTW
GTW minus GVW will usually be the towing weight recommended by the manufacturer but its not legally enforceable
GVW and GTW are legally enforceablle

Most cars are between 1400 and 1700 ?? when empty so a trailer that has a plated MAM of 2500 with an unladen weight of 500 will leave 2000 for the load

[lixah]

every time i have a good idea, the government seems to somehow ruin it. I will however look into getting a trailer licence next i guess. Anyone got any experience with that? will it take much to be ready for the test? (I have never towed before).

Guess i'll have to get GTA out for some practice

[Grenoble]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

A useful thread to read as well - one of R0G's finer contributions to PH.

[R0G]

lixah said:

every time i have a good idea, the government seems to somehow ruin it. I will however look into getting a trailer licence next i guess. Anyone got any experience with that? will it take much to be ready for the test? (I have never towed before).

Guess i'll have to get GTA out for some practice

cost in my area is about £650 all inclusive if pass first time over 3 half days with test on day 3


Hope this helps ....

[U]The B+E test[/U]
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos

This is interesting BUT NOT RECOMMENDED – a B licence towing set up can be presented for the B+E test but L plates must be used for the test. So you can train yourself, go to test by yourself, fit L plates, do the test, then, pass or fail, remove L plates and drive away by yourself.
DSA B+E TEST AND VEHICLE/TRAILER REQUIREMENTS



[U]SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER[/U]
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 a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
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

[R0G]

Supernova190188 said:

With a post '97 licence isn't it 750kg you can tow at the maximum if you haven't passed your trailer test? I may be wrong though!

The B (no BE) licence towing rules are ... put simply...

The vehicle GVW added to the plated trailer MAM must not be more than 3500 kgs
The plated trailer MAM must not be more than the towing vehicle kerbweight

[kambites]

Your Volvo appears to have a maximum braked towing capacity of 1600kg, which isn't enough to tow "90% of cars"; or probably even 50% these days.

From what I've heard, Brian James trailers are popular for a reason. I've never owned one, though.

[samdale]

R0G said:

The plated trailer MAM must not be more than the towing vehicle kerbweight

This seems to be the killer for towing a lot of cars. To carry an average sized car on a trailer capable of carrying it you need a VERY heavy car to tow with.


ETA: So the maximum he can really tow, from what I understand of it, is this.

If his Volvo can tow 1600kg then he can buy a 400kg trailer and put a 1200kg car on it once he has B+E no matter what the trailer MAM is? Any more and his towed weight is greater than the tow car weight (technical terms) and this is not allowed?

Edited by samdale on Friday 1st February 11:31

[RB Will]

regarding what sort of trailer. Try to find one that sits as low as possible as it will be much more stable, trust me if you are new it it you dont want to be worrying about snaking.

[lixah]

Hi, thanks for all the input, very interesting and helpful!

I was looking at this trailer, wondered what people though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251218379271?ssPageName=...

It's also very close to me, which is good.

[R0G]

samdale said:

This seems to be the killer for towing a lot of cars. To carry an average sized car on a trailer capable of carrying it you need a VERY heavy car to tow with.


ETA: So the maximum he can really tow, from what I understand of it, is this.

If his Volvo can tow 1600kg then he can buy a 400kg trailer and put a 1200kg car on it once he has B+E no matter what the trailer MAM is? Any more and his towed weight is greater than the tow car weight (technical terms) and this is not allowed?

Edited by samdale on Friday 1st February 11:31

You have not 'got it'

If you read the two simple rules I posted then it becomes easier to understand

You are referring to actual weights whereas the rules refer to MAM/GVW which refer to the max weight something can be when fully loaded

[samdale]

R0G said:

samdale said:

This seems to be the killer for towing a lot of cars. To carry an average sized car on a trailer capable of carrying it you need a VERY heavy car to tow with.


ETA: So the maximum he can really tow, from what I understand of it, is this.

If his Volvo can tow 1600kg then he can buy a 400kg trailer and put a 1200kg car on it once he has B+E no matter what the trailer MAM is? Any more and his towed weight is greater than the tow car weight (technical terms) and this is not allowed?

Edited by samdale on Friday 1st February 11:31

You have not 'got it'

If you read the two simple rules I posted then it becomes easier to understand

You are referring to actual weights whereas the rules refer to MAM/GVW which refer to the max weight something can be when fully loaded

The rules you posted, you say are for B only. I'm talking about him having B+E...

I'll try with your terms from your other thread.

Volvo GVW 1800, towing capacity 1600.
Trailer MAM 3000, unladen 400.
Trailer can be loaded with 1200 max

[R0G]

samdale said:

The rules you posted, you say are for B only. I'm talking about him having B+E...

I'll try with your terms from your other thread.

Volvo GVW 1800, towing capacity 1600.
Trailer MAM 3000, unladen 400.
Trailer can be loaded with 1200 max

Ah B+E is different ...
1200 would be the recommended max load in that instance but could legally be more as long as the GTW was not exceeded but it could make the set up unsafe

[McSam]

samdale said:

So the maximum he can really tow, from what I understand of it, is this.

If his Volvo can tow 1600kg then he can buy a 400kg trailer and put a 1200kg car on it once he has B+E no matter what the trailer MAM is? Any more and his towed weight is greater than the tow car weight (technical terms) and this is not allowed?

Edited by samdale on Friday 1st February 11:31

No, as far as I can tell, your actual towed weight is allowed to be more than your actual towing car weight when you have B+E.

It's just for B-only holders that the restriction "actual towed weight must be less than towing vehicle kerbweight" holds.