Like all select occupations, trailer towing has its own jargon. This section
attempts to explain these and add some practical knowledge on the subject.
Please let us know if you think of something we have left out or if any errors
have sneaked in. We have a minimum test vehicle to help you get through the
driving test but we will provide training on your own outfit if required.
Trailer towing incurs a 25% surcharge over our standard rate -
please check the home page for our current rates.
The MAM is the maximum authorised mass (weight) also known as the gross
vehicle weight. It is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of the
maximum permitted payload.
Grandfather's rights are the continued rights to drive vehicles although the
law has changed. New drivers with the same license will not be permitted to
drive certain vehicles which had hitherto been allowed if that person had
passed the test at an earlier date.
Drivers who passed the test before 1 January 1997 are permitted to drive
vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8.25 tonnes. They are also permitted
to drive medium goods vehicles which have a MAM of 7.5 tonnes. Drivers who
passed their test after this date are restricted to vehicle and trailer
combinations of 3.5 tonnes MAM. They are also restricted to small trailers
with a MAM of 750 kg, 3/4 metric ton.
5. What is the vehicle weight when pulling a trailer?
This is the weight of vehicle + trailer. Note that a driver passing over a
bridge limited to 2 tonnes driving a 1.5 tonne car and pulling a trailer
weighing 750kg would be breaking the law.
7. What are the current restrictions to car provisional license holders?
These include not pulling a trailer and not driving on the motorway. They
should also display ‘L' plates and be accompanied by a suitably qualified
driver.
8. What are the restrictions applying to trailer drivers?
These include not using the third lane of motorways and lower speed limits on many roads:
Motorways and dual carriageways,60mph,
other roads, 50mph.
Weight restrictions may also apply.
Note that some vehicles (eg Ford Ka) are not permitted to tow trailers of any description.
Click here to return to FAQ
9. How does the car + trailer test differ from the car test?
The test is longer,
The test centre has a manoeuvring area,
No manoeuvres are conducted on the road,
There is no emergency stop,
The ‘controlled stop' is conducted on the manoeuvring area,
The examiner will ask the candidate to perform a manoeuvring exercise,
The examiner will ask questions on vehicle safety
An uncoupling and recoupling exercise is performed,
The candidate is expected to drive to a higher standard.
Reverse close to the trailer tow cup and leave the car is a safe
condition.
(A stick by the trailers tow cup could be used or check visually.)
You should consider repositioning the car if needed. (It is easier to
swing the trailer round rather than to pull it up to the car. A tandem
axle trailer is easier to swing round if the jockey wheel lifts the
front wheels off the ground))
Wind down the jockey wheel so that the tow cup is slightly higher than
the car tow ball.
Release the trailer handbrake carefully and swing the tow cup over the
tow ball, be prepared to reapply the trailer handbrake if the trailer
threatens to move too quickly,
Raise the jockey wheel to lower the tow cup onto the car tow ball.
ENSURE THAT A SAFE COUPLING HAS BEEN EFFECTED. Raise the back of the
car by lowering the jockey wheel down a little.
Raise the jockey wheel completely and lock it up, making certain that it
does not interfere with the brake actuator.
Make certain that the green plug or handle has sprung out,
Connect break-away cable and the black electrical plug.
(The drain hole is at the bottom)
Release the trailer brake,
Make certain that the slack in the cables is sufficient to allow manoeuvring
yet will not let them drag on the ground.
Check lights, tyres and vehicle security. (The brake lights need the
ignition to be switched on, have a handy stick which can be wedged between
seat and brake pedal if you are on your own.)
Adjust any retrofitted mirrors.
Check the coupling and brakes before leaving the yard by accelerating and
braking.
12. What is meant by ‘vehicle security' when recoupling?
The trailer used by us is small and light. Ensure that the tipping
mechanism is locked down and that the lid catches are secure.
Larger trailers may need an anti sway (or stabiliser) devices to be
attached after the towing vehicle has been coupled.
Caravans require more attention. Drawers and cupboards must be locked,
gas bottles stowed, stop cocks, windows and skylights closed, chemical
toilets emptied, electrical appliances made safe, loose items secured.
The number plate may need to be changed. The trailer should be
serviceable which is important if it has been standing for a long period.
Increasing the nose weight, fitting an anti-sway device, increasing the
trailers tyre pressures and travelling slower will reduce this effect.
Should this occur, braking will exacerbate this. Drive sympathetically
and lift off the accelerator should this should occur. Consider accelerating
if a transitory gust is the cause of the problem.
The weight should be such so that it can be coupled up to the car
without too much effort. Excessive weight on the tow bar will set
the car head lights too high and make the steering dangerously light.
Too little weight will make the combination snake the coupling may
bang when going over bumps and the rear of the car will be excessively bouncy.
A nose weight of between 50 to 100kg should be considered. The load
on the trailer may be re-distributed to achieve this.
Jack knifes come in two forms. Firstly, when reversing, the angle of
the trailer can become so acute that the driver will not be able to
recover when on full lock. Driving forward and straightening will sort
this out.
A second type is a dangerous condition caused by the driver slowing
down too sharply when cornering. The trailer goes straight on and
pushes the back of the car round. If the driver had braked on the
straight and accelerated gently when cornering, this could have been
avoided. If the driver is lucky and catches the situation in time
then accelerating might restore stability.
Hot friction material may lose its efficiency when hot or metal
parts distort slightly. Old hydraulic fluid may produce bubbles
if subjected to heat, air is squashy.
Cars have disk brakes which do not suffer brake fade since they
offer superior cooling and brake disks expand towards the pads.
Trailers have drum brakes which can overheat causing the drums
to expand away from the brake shoes.
When approaching long descents trailer drivers should keep
their brakes cool by –
19. When driving off, what is the most important safety concern?
Visibility is restricted so be vigilant with your observation by
checking ALL mirrors and looking round effectively, covering all
sides of the vehicle. Watch out for pedestrians stepping over the
tow hitch!
If you wish to tow a larger trailer, the kind that have brakes fitted,
and you do not have 'grandfather rights' (see questions 3 and 4 for
explanation) then you will probably need to get your entitlement by
passing the trailer test.
For additional useful information on trailer regulations click here
Please note all information on this site is as correct as best endeavours
can make it (Errors and Omissions excepted). Please report website problems to webmaster Neil Manuel
Website created on Sunday 30th November 2003 and last edited on Sunday 13th July 2008.
We have welcomed
visitors to our site. Thanks for browsing.
Useful Links...
BMW 120D - Our training vehicle - click on the above picture to visit the BMW site to see it's specifications.
