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[Entwood]

I cannot reverse a small trailer - yet I can a caravan

The smaller the trailer, the harder to reverse as it "moves" much faster. An articulated flatbed is easier to reverse than a 10 ft caravan !!  Far more control

[2woody]

nicely put Entwood.

I'm currently in a position to specify the licence needed for around 320,000 drivers - this is the "number one" topic for us.

the "new" requirements are an EU Directive. surprised ?

[Squidy]

thanks Entwood, makes alot of sence now, cheers

[Debs.]

The smaller the trailer, the harder to reverse as it "moves" much faster. An articulated flatbed is easier to reverse than a 10 ft caravan !!  Far more control

Agreed; the worst combination for reversing that I`ve ever driven is a SWB 'Series' Landy with a narrow-track Sankey trailer......I`m (usually) rather proud of my trailer-reversing skills, but my old Landy/Sankey is a real 'pain in the proverbials' to go back`ards in!

[henryd]

The smaller the trailer, the harder to reverse as it "moves" much faster. An articulated flatbed is easier to reverse than a 10 ft caravan !!  Far more control

Agreed; the worst combination for reversing that I`ve ever driven is a SWB 'Series' Landy with a narrow-track Sankey trailer......I`m (usually) rather proud of my trailer-reversing skills, but my old Landy/Sankey is a real 'pain in the proverbials' to go back`ards in!

reversing my caravan with my old grand cherokee was hard as there was not enough steering lock,mig is much better

[david036]

I've always found it easier with the 'little' trailer to cheat and take it off rather than trying to reverse it as it just can't been seen until its gone too far!!!!!!

[Martin_1962]

I've always found it easier with the 'little' trailer to cheat and take it off rather than trying to reverse it as it just can't been seen until its gone too far!!!!!!

That is what I did when I last towed one.

If for any reason I had to take a towing test, I would bring my own trailer.

So what if it has a fridge/toilet/shower ect ect in it.

[Psychoca]

Reverse + Hitch
Reverse in a S pattern to a loading bay (with 1 allowable Shunt)
then drive around your local test centre town for an hour or so, abiding by road laws... 

I agree, it is in some aspects a stupid test, but, as your vehicle gets heavier, the handling characteristics are altered (I knew someone who had their Omega written off when the brakes failed on a trailer, lifted the back end of the car and pushed them into the back of another car)...

.. and that test won't teach you much about the handling characteristics.

At the end of the day, towing, like most things, requires a little common sense. The towing speed limit is there for a reason, and a very real reason in comparison to the speed limit for a car alone IMHO.

It might not be significantly more "unsafe" to ignore the limit and drive a car at 80 or 90 MPH but anyone towing at 80 MPH needs a serious talking to.

Stopping distances are also important. Trailer brakes do fail. Towing combinations are not as stable as a car when braking hard and / or from high speed so much longer distances need to be left ahead of a towing combination to avoid the need fro heavy braking.

I don't really see how ticking a box and taking a little jaunt with an instructor and trailer on the back will make much difference, TBH.

Kevin

Me neither.  It is just money for the coffers so far as I can see...

[v6fletch]

As an hgv petrol tanker driver , as i believe ,please dont quote me but ,the law changed recently so all new drivers must take a practical driving test if they wish to tow a trailer(i have seen these "trailer" driving schools about).If you passed your car test before a certain date (sorry not sure exactly but it is recently)you can tow a trailer or caravan on what is known commonly as "grandads" rights.If you do tow on a car licence you are only covered up to the maximum gross vehicle towing weight eg a 1200 kg car can only tow up to its max combined towing weight which varies as to whether the trailed combination has brakes or not.
if you drive a land rover with a "braked" trailer this can be in the region 3 and a half tons upwards,BUT if its weight exceeds over 3.5 tons then you MUST have a tachograph fitted !!  It sounds complicated but if you want real complications, try taking your ADR hazard chemical licence then take 3 weeks training to qualify as a petrol tanker driver...my brain hurts 
the best way is to check is to ask somebody like VOSA they know the law inside out ,hope this helps .I just thank god im one of the lucky ones who doesnt have to worry about towing a c/van,im a class one hgv driver with a full bike licence too 

[Entwood]

Fletch .. the law changed in 1997 (not really "recent") and is laid down in my post #16

A quick guide is in my post #21 using an Omega as an example. The weight limit for a class B only is 3500 kgs gross train weight. Full stop.

The only requirement for a tacho is if you are being PAID to tow.

If the towing vehicle has a MAM of over 3500 kgs you need a C1+1 .. not a tacho to drive it  ..

[Entwood]

As an hgv petrol tanker driver , as i believe ,please dont quote me but ,the law changed recently so all new drivers must take a practical driving test if they wish to tow a trailer(i have seen these "trailer" driving schools about).If you passed your car test before a certain date (sorry not sure exactly but it is recently)you can tow a trailer or caravan on what is known commonly as "grandads" rights.If you do tow on a car licence you are only covered up to the maximum gross vehicle towing weight eg a 1200 kg car can only tow up to its max combined towing weight which varies as to whether the trailed combination has brakes or not.
if you drive a land rover with a "braked" trailer this can be in the region 3 and a half tons upwards,BUT if its weight exceeds over 3.5 tons then you MUST have a tachograph fitted !!  It sounds complicated but if you want real complications, try taking your ADR hazard chemical licence then take 3 weeks training to qualify as a petrol tanker driver...my brain hurts 
the best way is to check is to ask somebody like VOSA they know the law inside out ,hope this helps .I just thank god im one of the lucky ones who doesnt have to worry about towing a c/van,im a class one hgv driver with a full bike licence too 

Pedantic mode ON :

There is no such thing anymore ... you hold a C + E licence, (Large Goods Vehicle with trailer) (vehicle over 3500 Kgs with a trailer over 750 Kgs)(up to the towing vehicle Maximum Authorised Train Weight)

 and you also have additional qualifications, Tanker, ADR and probably HIAB which are nothing to do with your "licence" as isued by DVLA

Pedantic mode OFF :


 

[v6fletch]

As an hgv petrol tanker driver , as i believe ,please dont quote me but ,the law changed recently so all new drivers must take a practical driving test if they wish to tow a trailer(i have seen these "trailer" driving schools about).If you passed your car test before a certain date (sorry not sure exactly but it is recently)you can tow a trailer or caravan on what is known commonly as "grandads" rights.If you do tow on a car licence you are only covered up to the maximum gross vehicle towing weight eg a 1200 kg car can only tow up to its max combined towing weight which varies as to whether the trailed combination has brakes or not.
if you drive a land rover with a "braked" trailer this can be in the region 3 and a half tons upwards,BUT if its weight exceeds over 3.5 tons then you MUST have a tachograph fitted !!  It sounds complicated but if you want real complications, try taking your ADR hazard chemical licence then take 3 weeks training to qualify as a petrol tanker driver...my brain hurts 
the best way is to check is to ask somebody like VOSA they know the law inside out ,hope this helps .I just thank god im one of the lucky ones who doesnt have to worry about towing a c/van,im a class one hgv driver with a full bike licence too 

Pedantic mode ON :

There is no such thing anymore ... you hold a C + E licence, (Large Goods Vehicle with trailer) (vehicle over 3500 Kgs with a trailer over 750 Kgs)(up to the towing vehicle Maximum Authorised Train Weight)

 and you also have additional qualifications, Tanker, ADR and probably HIAB which are nothing to do with your "licence" as isued by DVLA

Pedantic mode OFF :


 

sorry but you are quite right , it is a c + e licence now .
BUT  you are wrong about the ADR , it IS issued by the dvla , i took and passed mine in may this year and it was issued by the dvla.Also you are wrong about the 3.5 ton rule.If your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 you Must have a tacho fitted , it has nothing to with  hire or reward , it can be for private use . It is because of drivers hours rules.Also limos that weigh that weigh over 3.5 whether being used privately or hire / reward must have a tacho fitted , i an friends with a local limo owner.

[Entwood]

As an hgv petrol tanker driver , as i believe ,please dont quote me but ,the law changed recently so all new drivers must take a practical driving test if they wish to tow a trailer(i have seen these "trailer" driving schools about).If you passed your car test before a certain date (sorry not sure exactly but it is recently)you can tow a trailer or caravan on what is known commonly as "grandads" rights.If you do tow on a car licence you are only covered up to the maximum gross vehicle towing weight eg a 1200 kg car can only tow up to its max combined towing weight which varies as to whether the trailed combination has brakes or not.
if you drive a land rover with a "braked" trailer this can be in the region 3 and a half tons upwards,BUT if its weight exceeds over 3.5 tons then you MUST have a tachograph fitted !!  It sounds complicated but if you want real complications, try taking your ADR hazard chemical licence then take 3 weeks training to qualify as a petrol tanker driver...my brain hurts 
the best way is to check is to ask somebody like VOSA they know the law inside out ,hope this helps .I just thank god im one of the lucky ones who doesnt have to worry about towing a c/van,im a class one hgv driver with a full bike licence too 

Pedantic mode ON :

There is no such thing anymore ... you hold a C + E licence, (Large Goods Vehicle with trailer) (vehicle over 3500 Kgs with a trailer over 750 Kgs)(up to the towing vehicle Maximum Authorised Train Weight)

 and you also have additional qualifications, Tanker, ADR and probably HIAB which are nothing to do with your "licence" as isued by DVLA

Pedantic mode OFF :


 

sorry but you are quite right , it is a c + e licence now .
BUT  you are wrong about the ADR , it IS issued by the dvla , i took and passed mine in may this year and it was issued by the dvla.Also you are wrong about the 3.5 ton rule.If your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 you Must have a tacho fitted , it has nothing to with  hire or reward , it can be for private use . It is because of drivers hours rules.Also limos that weigh that weigh over 3.5 whether being used privately or hire / reward must have a tacho fitted , i an friends with a local limo owner.

Sorry .. but incorrect.....

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/road/workingtime/drivershoursgoods.pdf

Section 1, page 12

..........  Additionally drivers who never carry goods or passengers in the course of their employment are not considered to be within scope of the regulations ...... 

Section 3, Page 27

The following groups are exempt from the domestic drivers’ hours rules:
•
drivers of vehicles used by the Armed Forces, the police and fire brigade;
•
drivers who always drive off the public road system; and
•
private driving, i.e. not in connection with a job or in any way to earn a living.

(my highlight)

I accept that IF a vehicle is not registered as "private", and it can EVER be used for commercial purposes, it will have a tacho fitted.... but a "private" taxed vehicle does not require one.