GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => Shows, events, track days, motorsport => Topic started by: jake on 19 April 2010, 12:48
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Hi guys
I am at the point where i now need to start trailing my golf around! I have just looked around the internet for the B+E courses? To be honest i have never really looked into this and im quite shocked at the prices?
I am 22 so it seems that as i passed my test after 1997 i need to do this test to tow anything? Have any of you guys got any tips or advice on where i go? Or how much i should be paying?
I have just found one that was £1300 for a 4 day course with test? This sounds very very expensive to me? I literally thought it was a one day course?
Any help or advice would be great?
Thanks
Jake
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you spoke to the dvla?
0300 7906801
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Why? Do they offer courses?
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they might be able to clarify the restrictions and who runs the courses
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I'm 20, and have towed a caravan along with numerous other things, LEGALLY.
The way i interpret the law is that, aslong as the trailer laden does not exceed over 80% of the weight of the car, and your gross weight (weight of car and trailer laden) is not over 3490kg then you can tow with out a B+E.
However, if you you are over 80% then you need a B+E or if you exceed 3490kg then you need a B+E, and also a tachograph fitted to the towing vehicle.
I'd also like to note that this is just my interpretation :grin:
Hope this was some help :smiley:
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you think they can teach you everything you need to know about towing a trailer in a day :huh:
and it says on your licence if your good to go with trailers
God its good being OLD :grin:
and have you read
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_287
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ok ....
sorry to sound dumb here! But i have an audi a4 that im towing a flat bed with? With obviously the golf mk4 on the trailer?
Do i need a B+E for that? Or not? Im confused now?
Jake
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don't forget to check with you're insurance company you're covered to tow. probably want some more money out of you for that
what does the golf, trailer and the a4 weigh?
i'd probably get the b+e just in case
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I dont know to be honest! I would reckon around 3,000kg
In regards to this! Have i got this right!
If the overall weight including car, trailer and track car weighs less than 3400kg im ok to tow? Providing my insurance knows?
Jake
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Ring DVLA or the Trailer training place you contacted. IE the experts :smiley:
and are you sure on the AUW of 2 cars and a trailer :huh:
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Yeah the A4 probably weighs more then 1.5 tonne. :huh:
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Yeah the A4 probably weighs more then 1.5 tonne. :huh:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Detail.aspx?deriv=25379
Less than 1400kg :wink:
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Yeah the A4 probably weighs more then 1.5 tonne. :huh:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Detail.aspx?deriv=25379
Less than 1400kg :wink:
that will be DRY weight as such, add in YOU, all your kit etc etc and that will rise up :wink:
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If your towing a car on trailer you need 2 do te B+E test
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From my understanding ... http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073
As long as:
3.5 tonnes > A4 + Golf + Trailer AND A4 >= Golf + Trailer
Then you can happily tow without the requirement for B+E.
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You're kidding yourself about the weights.
Get the rig on a weighbridge and all will be revealing properly.
£10 says you're over and will need to do the test.
Remember - if you're caught over weight then there's no argument in court - it's empirical so you're guilty if you're over. It's just the size of the fine and the number of points the judge is deciding on.
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As I understand it, you need catagory B at least to tow a trailer of more than 750kg, regardless of the weight of the towing vehicle.
The combined outfit weight can be 3500kg, but the trailer can be no more than 750kg without cat B.
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Let's explore this some more:
Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs 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.
Cat B vehicles are up to 3.5t, which is where the 4.25t comes from - 3.5t + 750kg
So that's the first bit, then there's the 'trailer over 750kg' bit, which causes confusion.
Let's outline the situation using my kit - I know what it weighs.
When could you tow a trailer over 750kg? Say I'm towing with my Passat, which is stated in at 1875kg (it's a fat-ass, there's no denying it!), so in the situation where you don't have a full towing license, you could tow up to 1625kg.
BUT
Let's look at the real-world situation. Going to the day on Monday I had the following:
1875kg Passat
60kg fuel
400kg trailer
1060kg Golf2
30kg fuel in Golf
50kg luggage
100kg tools
2 x blokes at 95kg
2 x blokes at 80kg
64kg spare wheels
Total: 3989kg
Even if you cut it down to just the cars, fuel and two blokes you're at 3585kg and that's with a car on the trailer weighing in just over a tonne, a really light trailer and two skinny blokes.
Plus, unless you know how to manoeuvre a trailer already I'd be very hesitant in hitching up a full-size car trailer - it's not like a little box trailer you can unhitch and hoick about if you get it wrong.
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I'm pretty sure you are still limited to a 750kg trailer whatever the towing vehicle is without having done a trailer test.
Like DH said, it would not be prudent to allow anyone to hook up to a 5.5m long trailer with a car strapped on top if the had'nt had any idea how to handle it.
I was lucky and was brought up driving tractors from a very young age, so by the time I was towing on the road at 17, I had a pretty good idea about what I was doing. Unlike other lads my age who were out of control most of the time.
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Read the links - they're why I explored it like I did, to try and make sense of it.
750kg is the unbraked limit for sure (and why A-frames generally aren't legal) which is what might be making you think that.
I was bought up on tractors too - 40' straw trailers and high-side silage trailers FTW when learning to handle trailers. :cool:
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Judging from what you say you have, i'd guess you'd be over. And therefore need a B+E.
I use a Mondeo Estate(No abuse please) :grin: towing a twin wheeled trailer, but i only ever put small cars on it, likes of Corsa B's, Saxo's, and any other light, usually french sh1t.
I once put a Golf on it, and thought i'd be up on my weights so my dad drove as he has a C+E so was well in :grin: