Transport- towing -cafe`s and pull-ins page 1
Tips on towing your trailer safely.
to page 2 new E.U.regs on animal transport
Before you start out on your journey you should do a safety check, look round the trailer check tyres
make sure they are at the correct pressure, look for any rust or damage that could affect the towing of the vehicle.
When hitched,check indicators, brake lights, safety cable,make sure all doors to trailer are closed properly before you pull away, when towing a
caravan a stabiliser is a very good investment, as wind or passing traffic can start a trailer swaying with loss of control.
The weight ratio of your trailer must not exceed the towing weight of your towing vehicle, look on the manufactures website
for details if you do not know the correct weight for your vehicle, most car makers publish the weights on the web.
You can check the trailers nose weight using a set of bathroom scales, to check fully loaded it is best to find a public weigh
bridge,exceeding the weights for your towing car will lead to prosecution.
People who tow trailers have the same safety concerns as other road users but a towed vehicle becomes articulated which poses
additional problems . While towing your trailer remember to travel slightly closer to the centre of your lane, be aware of oil
spillage at junctions and roundabouts and uneven road surfaces and camber that could unbalance the trailer.
A common problem on trailers brakes that could occur is that the brake cables and linkage seize this causes the brakes to bind,
overheating the wheel bearings, this could result in the wheel complete with hub parting company from the trailer.
An extension door mirror will give extra visibility when towing wide trailers or caravans.
Incorrect weight loading will cause problems, heavy loads are best positioned over the axle or put in the car, check the load is
made secure. It is best, when reversing to have a person behind to guide you into the parking place,
Remember when driving to allow for the extra length of your car and trailer when taking corners, take a
wide line to ensure the trailer does not clip the kerb.
Drivers who passed a car test before 1st january 1997 retain their entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This
means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. they also have entitlement
to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.
drivers who hold subcategory c1+e-limited to 8.25tonnesMAM, may apply for provisional entitlement to the new
subcategory c1+e, in order to take and pass the test which will increase their combined vehicle and trailer entitlement to
12TonnesMAM. It is not necessary to gain subcategory c1 entitlement first but drivers have to meet higher medical standards,
and pass both the c theory test and the c1+e practical test.
Large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle licence's held before January 1997
since january 1997 all drivers who hold category c or d entitlement have been limited to to trailers up to 750kgs MAM, cat c+e
or D+e must be held in order to tow trailers in excess of this.
Drivers who passed a car driving test on or after January1st 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain
access to category B+E and all larger vehicles. In addition to the new driving tests, Drivers of vehicles which fall into
subcategories C1, C1+E and D1+E also have to meet higher medical standards.
cat B vehicles up to 3.5tonnes MAM and up to 8 passenger seats
Cate gory 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 3.5tonnes MAM
For example a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25
tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed
the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
where as/// The same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25.tonnes and a MAM of 2tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a
MAM of 1.5.tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer
is with in the 3.5tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle
Existing general guidance for towing a caravan recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85%of
the UNladen weight of the car, In the majority of cases caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be with in the new
category B threshold.
note because EC regulations limit drivers aged under 21yrs to driving vehicles or combinations which weigh no more than 7.5
tonnes MAM drivers under the age of 21yrs are not allowed to drive subcategory C1+E vehicles up to 12tonnesMAM but 18yr
old drivers are allowed to take a test for sub category C1+E which will allow trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM to be towed.
entitlement is limited to a combination weight of 7.5 tonnes MAM until the driver reaches 21yrs, at which time the balance of 12
tonnes MAM entitlement automatically becomes effective.
Disclaimer While the Northernlights team do our best to give you the correct information on these pages they are meant as a guideline
only and you should check with the appropriate source
