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Car + caravan tests

Hazel2705
Hazel2705 Posts: 89 Forumite
I'm planning on buying a caravan later in the year but have found out I will need to do a car + trailer test to tow it.

I want to get the test done before I buy the caravan as I will obviously need to tow it home.

If I borrow a friend's trailer (able to carry 1000kg) will I be able to do the test with a trailer as it will be lighter but has the potential to carry the heavier load. Apparently it's the "MAM" that they go on rather than the "ULW".

Why is nothing ever easy :rotfl:
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Comments

  • BOBS
    BOBS Posts: 2,871 Forumite
    Ah -- one advantage of being slightly older. Have driving test - taken and past in 1992 - which includes being allowed to tow trailer/caravan amongst many others. We hadnt a clue how to tow when we first bought the darn thing (caravan) but with advice along the lines of "" take corners wider than usual and you will be fine"" :-0 ... we have managed and two years later can now even reverse it into site.
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  • Hazel2705
    Hazel2705 Posts: 89 Forumite
    It's £115 for the test so not a terrible price but one I'd rather not pay!

    The man in the caravan shop said I am the first person to ever ask about the weights and he put it all in the computer and turned out I was 250kg over. I'm sure he doesn't offer up this information to potential buyers though but maybe I'm young to be buying a caravan at the age of 31!
  • BOBS
    BOBS Posts: 2,871 Forumite
    Hazel - we were mid 30's and 3 kids when we bought the van - kids love it and wish we had had it earlier. You are never too young and it is the best way to spend weekends!! People will scare you about the nose weights and all the rest but if you are sensible and guided by the dealer you should be grand. Just look at the state of some of the caravans being towed and you will soon realise which ones pay absolutely no attention to any guidelines!!
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  • pitkin2020
    pitkin2020 Posts: 4,029 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It is a good thing now that you are required to take the test for caravans than the automatic entitlement it used to be. Atleast people will actually be taught how to tow properly. If I were you I would borrow your friends trailer and find somewhere quiet and practice manoeuvres as much as you can then go for the training/test. Our local place does the training and the test on the day with car and trailer provided so it maybe worth looking for somewhere that offers that service. Practice makes perfect though and I keep saying I should get the test done but I never get around to it.
    Everyones opinion is the most important.....no wonder nothing is ever agreed on.
  • maxheadroom
    maxheadroom Posts: 145 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Seem to recall that the trailer used for the test had to be a box type trailer so that you couldn't 'see' through it for the reversing bit.

    Check the vehicle you use for the test is also compliant with towing weights and MAM as well
  • pitkin2020
    pitkin2020 Posts: 4,029 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Seem to recall that the trailer used for the test had to be a box type trailer so that you couldn't 'see' through it for the reversing bit.

    Check the vehicle you use for the test is also compliant with towing weights and MAM as well

    I think you maybe right, the place local to me use a high box trailer for training/test.
    Everyones opinion is the most important.....no wonder nothing is ever agreed on.
  • pstuart
    pstuart Posts: 668 Forumite
    May I ask what you are going to tow and what with.

    It is a common misconception that you need to take a towing test for a caravan.

    The maximum gross weight you can drive on the new test is 3500kg (with a braked trailer) ie. my Mondeo estate and a very large caravan = 3000kg, so well within the limit of a 'new' licence.

    Unless you are into very large 4by4s and travellers vans then you have no need for a test.
  • gpc273
    gpc273 Posts: 133 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    If you do need to take the test, then I would strongly reccomend you get at least 1 days training from someone who knows what they are talking about ie an LGV/PCV trainer or an ADI who specialises in B+E.
    You will need a trailer with a MAM of 1 tonne and it must be of the closed box type that you can only reverse using side mirrors. It must also have mirrors fitted for the examiners use. Oh yes and L plates!
    If you can't meet that criteria you'll just be chucking £115 down the road as the examiner will terminate the test.
    The test is exactly the same one as taken by LGV/PCV drivers, and if you want any advise please feel free to ask as my day job is a driving examiner....
  • paddedjohn
    paddedjohn Posts: 7,512 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    AS STATED ABOVE, CHECK YOUR WEIGHTS FIRST.

    Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

    If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits
    Be Alert..........Britain needs lerts.
  • Hazel2705
    Hazel2705 Posts: 89 Forumite
    I thought I might have to use a box type trailer. Do you think a horsebox would be OK??

    I've got a 7 seater Seat Alhambra. We checked on the computer at the caravan dealer and it says 2000kg fully loaded. It's abit annoying as there would only be two adults and a toddler in the car so we would remove 3 seat for any journey to put our bikes in (but I suppose they would be heavy). It's all down to the potential weight it could be.

    I can't risk driving illegally as I drive for a living so if I got points on my license I will lose my job!!

    It's not a problem doing the test. Anyone kow what I would have to do? I assume parking it. reversing around corners etc??

    I was thinking I could buy a cheap (ready for scrap) caravan for the test then take it down the scrap yard or resell it. Would they do a sort of MOT of a caravan before the test?
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