GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
  
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| Trailers on Driving License |
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I need to get SWMBO's license upgraded to be able to drive with a trailer.
Anyone know how hard the Test is? Looking at training courses they look around £500 and then I assume the Test on top ( no idea of cost).
Can she pass with just a basic knowledge of driving one or is the Course a must have? D4 HSE - Aintree Green
D4 Orkney my13 - gone
Stornaway D4. Gone, Didn't like it at all
D3 silver manual. Loved my first LR
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 9th Jan 2017 12:26 pm |
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geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3169
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To tow properly you need to do a course and i think its compulsory to get trained by a trained instructor  Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
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| 9th Jan 2017 12:43 pm |
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Scottbrad
Member Since: 21 Dec 2014
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Posts: 229
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I did my B&E licence in 2015 and it was fairly straight forward however I'd probably advise doing a few short sessions with an instructor just to get an idea of what is included in the trailer test and to brush up on driving technique.
I went with a local driving company who did a 2 hour assessment session first (£40) which assessed whether I needed a longer course. I opted to take a 10 hour course, 4x2 hour sessions and then 2 hours for the test, think it was around the £500 mark and that included the test fee which was £140 at the time (might have gone up since). Cheers Scott.
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| 9th Jan 2017 1:32 pm |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
 
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When did she pass her test for a license? Before a certain date and for her license purposes she will be OK HOWEVER a towing course is always good idea. LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 9th Jan 2017 1:33 pm |
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J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
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You need to know how to check the trailer is safe for the road, how to hitch and unhitch in the correct order, how to reverse around a dogleg and in to a bay and the road test.
I took my training with Tom_W on here (he'll be along in a minute to tell you how  I was  ) and I'm glad I did.
I always get complimented on how well I can reverse my caravan (Charisma 590 Twin Axle) with my Amarok by the wardens when arriving on my pitch compared to some that they see 
I wouldn't say its a *must have* but if she is new to towing, reversing and hitching then it's probably a good idea.
On the last 3 categories I've taken I've always found the road driving the hardest - old habits die hard and all that!
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| 9th Jan 2017 1:35 pm |
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sycove
Member Since: 25 Mar 2015
Location: Burntisland
Posts: 396
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I think licences Pre-97 have automatic trailer entitlement
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| 9th Jan 2017 1:43 pm |
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GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
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My license is good for trailers, hers isn't.
However, I have never pulled a trailer and would there fore need training.
My dilemma now is what is best , trailer or safari rack.
There are a number of plus/minus with both in my head at the moment.
Trailer - cost of trailer, cost of training, reduced speed on longer journeys, experience, if SWMBO is not comfortable means I do all the driving - to name a few.
Safari Rack - which one, can I make camping stuff on it secure, do I have to leave it on all the time or is it easy to put on/take off, assume I need a ladder to reach it as I am a short .
so many decisions ..........  D4 HSE - Aintree Green
D4 Orkney my13 - gone
Stornaway D4. Gone, Didn't like it at all
D3 silver manual. Loved my first LR
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| 9th Jan 2017 2:09 pm |
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chugga90
Member Since: 13 Aug 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 434
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Small unbraked trailers up to 750kg can be towed on car license even after 97 cut off date! Discovery commercial tdv6 auto 2013
Volkswagen t6 lwb Kombi dsg 4motion 2018
Volkswagen t5.1 lwb single cab tipper 2013
Discovery commercial sdv6 auto 2014 gone and not really missed.
Range Rover Tdv8 gone
Freelander 2 I6 very sadly gone
VW t5 Dsg gone and missed
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| 9th Jan 2017 2:15 pm |
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Navigator
Member Since: 17 Mar 2010
Location: Stay at Home. One of the lives you save could be your own.
Posts: 5103
 
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That's the ones that are too small to be seen in the rear view mirrors and can't be reversed no matter how good the driver due to the shortness. A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
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| 9th Jan 2017 2:25 pm |
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GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
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Ah, the two I am looking at are a small one around 500KG LW or possibly the 750KG LW - both unbraked so this means I don't need B&E on license? D4 HSE - Aintree Green
D4 Orkney my13 - gone
Stornaway D4. Gone, Didn't like it at all
D3 silver manual. Loved my first LR
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| 9th Jan 2017 2:35 pm |
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Aerialmark
Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Burnley (Where the M65 is cobbled)
Posts: 5191
 
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Navigator wrote:That's the ones that are too small to be seen in the rear view mirrors and can't be reversed no matter how good the driver due to the shortness.
Ha ha I know what you mean I have a Erde 147 and when reversing it has a mind of its own  I just unhook it and do it manually. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
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| 9th Jan 2017 4:11 pm |
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B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
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The longer the caravan / trailer, the easier it is to reverse
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| 9th Jan 2017 5:23 pm |
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chugga90
Member Since: 13 Aug 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 434
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GlosBoy wrote:Ah, the two I am looking at are a small one around 500KG LW or possibly the 750KG LW - both unbraked so this means I don't need B&E on license?
Correct.
As stated by others small trailers are harder to reverse.
Twin axles make them less twitchy/or directionally better to reverse.
Huge trailers much better if you have enough room to bung them about! Discovery commercial tdv6 auto 2013
Volkswagen t6 lwb Kombi dsg 4motion 2018
Volkswagen t5.1 lwb single cab tipper 2013
Discovery commercial sdv6 auto 2014 gone and not really missed.
Range Rover Tdv8 gone
Freelander 2 I6 very sadly gone
VW t5 Dsg gone and missed
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| 9th Jan 2017 5:51 pm |
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maxbasscat
Member Since: 03 Jan 2016
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 1263
  
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I learnt the hard way by practice and have been towing all sorts for years. Personally I think it is a good idea that all people should pass a test of competence.
Many IWT suppliers have courses which I am trying to get my son to consider. Like many what Dad suggests is the opposite of what son will do. He tows on a regular basis and is good but now requires to upgrade to match the 3500kg rules. Although he is pretty competent at this time he cannot even tow one of our trailers unloaded!
It might seem an odd suggestion but before you start shelling out on lessons practice just like you probably did before your driving test if you have the opportunity. When you become reasonably assured go for finishing school and the prescribed test. Might just save some money. D3 2.7 Zermatt silver (not another one)
D3 4.4 V8 Zambezi silver
D3 4.4 V8 Adriatic Blue
D3 2.7 (gone) Tonga Green
D3 4.4 V8 LHD Tonga Green
FFRR TDV8
Defender 300
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| 9th Jan 2017 6:12 pm |
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