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Trailer towing B and B+E licence rules explainedViews : 5817 Replies : 52Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:06 | #1 |
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Last Online: Aug 20th, 2012 16:40
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Location: LEICESTER
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Trailer towing B and B+E licence rules explained
Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained
I have extensive knowledge on this issue and already have a trailer towing clinic HERE as well as many other sites. I use the above to demonstrate that I have not joined this site to spam etc but simply to help others understand the rules which the Govt sites do not seem to explain very well. Trailer MAM means the maximum weight the trailer can be when fully loaded (weight of empty trailer plus weight of load) Trailers over 3500 kgs plated MAM weight come under different rules which is why all the trailers towed by B class vehicles , those of 3.5 tonnes and under, are not plated at more than 3500 kgs or 3.5 tonnes MAM Trailers without plates use the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS to determine the MAM. A rating of 66 on 4 tyres would give a MAM of 1200 kgs. Vehicles in the B licence category will have the following information on a plate in the vehicle, in the handbook or on the V5 form. Information can also be found on many internet vehicle specification sites. Unladen or Kerb weight - although there is a slight difference in the two it is not that much GVW - the max weight the vehicle can weigh when fully loaded GTW - the max weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights. Towing capacity - this is the ACTUAL weight that can be towed by the vehicle - it does not mean the trailer MAM weight. None of the above weights must be exceeded Some vehicles have a GVW, a towing capacity and a GTW. In such a case the GTW takes priority over the GVW and towing capacity when added together FOR B+E LICENCES Where a towing capacity is listed then this would be a legal example:- CAR has GVW of 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800 TRAILER has a MAM of 3500 and an unladen weight of 1000 The trailer can be loaded with a maximum weight of 800 Where there is not a towing capacity listed then the GTW is used GTW minus the GVW does not give the towing capacity unless the vehicle is fully laden EXAMPLE: - VAN has GVW of 3500 and GTW of 6000 TRAILER has MAM of 3500 The van and trailer can weigh 3000 each and be legal FOR B LICENCES The Gov sites are not that good at explaining this so I have managed to find a simple way of determining whether a driver can tow something on a B only licence - To tow over 750 kgs with a B licence you need to say NO to the following:- Is the plated MAM of the trailer more than the UNLADEN/KERB/EMPTY weight of the towing vehicle? Does the GVW of the towing vehicle plus the plated MAM of the trailer add up to more than 3500 kgs? Is the ACTUAL weight of the empty trailer and its load more than the listed towing capacity? Example of legally towing over 750 kgs with a B licence - made up figures but not that far from what can be found.... Towing vehicle - Unladen/empty/kerb = 1500 GVW = 2000 Towing capacity = 1800 Trailer - Unladen/empty = 800 MAM = 1500 (Perhaps originally a 2000 MAM but downplated by manufacturer so it conforms to B licence towing) Load trailer with 700 max Reasons it is legal for towing on a B licence - The 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than the 1500 unladen/empty weight of the towing vehicle The 2000 GVW of the towing vehicle plus the 1500 MAM of the trailer is not more than 3500 The towing capacity/actual weight being towed does not exceed 1800 Here is another way of looking at the B licence towing rules with examples:- RULE 1 - The gross plated weight of the trailer (MAM) cannot exceed the vehicle kerbweight. RULE 2 - Also, the sum of the vehicle gross plated weight (GVW) and the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) cannot exceed 3500kg. Examples:- Vehicle 1200kg kerbweight, 1700kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 1 Vehicle 1500kg kerbweight, 2000kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500kg SEE RULES 1 & 2 Vehicle 1800kg kerbweight, 2300kg gross plated weight (GVW) = maximum trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1200kg SEE RULE 2 The weight which can be loaded on the trailer is the trailer gross plated weight (MAM) minus the trailer unladen weight Trailer gross plated weight (MAM) 1500 with unladen weight 900 = a maximum load of 600 The listed maximum towing capacity for a vehicle must not be exceeded - that is actual weight not plated MAM weight Although there is not a specific law which states this there are other laws which can be used if the combination (vehicle & trailer) is deemed unsafe. Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing rule SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test. They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner. The usual rules apply when a learner is driving - The supervising driver must be aged over 21 The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer Correct insurance for a B+E learner Many will find that passing the once in a lifetime B+E test is their best option so here is some info on that test:- The B+E test No medical or theory test required Read a number plate from a certain distance VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5 The next three can be in any order:- VIDEO - Reversing Exercise (old measurements) - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds One hour road drive - includes the independant drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos I hope this helps those who are unsure of the rules Please post with this info if you want me to answer a specific query - weights in kgs please (might be made easier if the info below is copied and pasted with the weights etc put after the '=' bits) LICENCE B or B+E VEHICLE Unladen/kerb = GVW = GTW = Towing capacity = TRAILER Unladen = MAM = |
Apr 30th, 2012, 21:14 | #2 |
Rodney
Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: On The Street
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Crikey.It looks complex.
I just know that if I wanted, I could tow,say a 2000kg boat or caravan, with a Range Rover and not be lumbered with the newer 3500kg all in rule. Regards |
Apr 30th, 2012, 21:20 | #3 | |
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Last Online: Aug 20th, 2012 16:40
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Quote:
Reasons - If the 2000 is the MAM of the trailer then it must not be more than the kerb weight of the RR - that means the kerb of the RR has to be at least 2000 If the kerb of the RR is 2000 then the GVW would be about 500 higher so that means the 2500 GVW of the RR plus the trailer MAM of 2000 makes 4500 which is well over 3500 |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:23 | #4 | |
Rodney
Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: On The Street
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Yes, I sure have the relevant licence.Passed years and years ago so well past learner stage!! Cheers. |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:26 | #5 |
Rodney
Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02
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Location: On The Street
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A point actually I have always wondered is when cars that, well take the Range Rover as a vehicle in question,I think that weighs about 2.6 tons, yet it can tow well above its kerbweight at around 3.5 tons.
Its allowed for this to tow more than its own weight, so why is this? Regards |
Apr 30th, 2012, 21:36 | #6 | |
VOC Member
Last Online: Feb 26th, 2016 19:58
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Exmouth
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Quote:
VR, I'm with you on the fact that it is all a little complicated these days and no wonder people get it wrong. Why don't they really simplify it? Cat B = vehicle ONLY! Cat B+E = vehicle plust trailer with a max of 3500kg? Just glad I've got B, B+E, C, C+E, D, D+E so don't have to worry too much, with the exception of not going over the max weights. |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:36 | #7 |
Lunatic from Wakefield
Last Online: Apr 16th, 2023 06:33
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: wakefield
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the v70 is the same the car can tow 1800kgs, but weighs 1700kg
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:43 | #8 | |
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Last Online: Aug 20th, 2012 16:40
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The answer is because it has been designed to do just that Sort of makes a big mockery of the caravanning 85% safety rules doesn't it? |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:53 | #9 | |
Rodney
Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: On The Street
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Quote:
I have always tried to tow at the 85% recommendation purely from a safety point of view.I have also towed a caravan with an 'mtplm' higher than the cars tow weight, although the actual weight of the van was below that which the car was allowed to tow. The rules seem daft that a relatively new driver would flout the rules towing a 1300kg caravan with a Range Rover (which is a nice safe combination) yet would be ok towing the same caravan with a VW Golf, which is probably an ok combination yet nowhere near as safe as the RR combi. Regards |
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Apr 30th, 2012, 21:57 | #10 | |
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