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Topic: B+E Test

MattCharlie

03/1/2012 at 12:18am
Location: Atherton Manchester
Outfit: Ford Mondeo TDCI & 5M Bell Tent

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Hi, I know this topic has been covered extensively on here, however I would like to hear peoples feedback that have taken the test and there experience of the lessons they did. I have recently found out that I am actually 50Kg's over my license limit with my current van (150Kg with my previous van). I've been towing for 5 years now and haven't been pulled so far but you never know. So have now decided that I'm going to do it this year. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

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Matt

Grampian91

03/1/2012 at 7:55am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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Have you got your figures right?

What model/year is the mondeo?

What is the caravans gross weight? 1350kg? I know thats close for some models.

But shouldnt be over.

My sisters tows with a 2002 hatchback and as long as the caravan is less than the cars kerbweight she is within the limit.

Gross train weight = 3490kg.

Now my estate is over 3500kg so i have my doubts about that.

millermicm

03/1/2012 at 8:49am
Location: west country
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If you are over and need to take the test the reason most people fail the test is not through the towing elements of the test but through their basic driving skills and picking up faults from simple errors. Get this up to speed first.

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Steve

cwdc56768

03/1/2012 at 8:56am
Location: Keswick
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Can't assist you on the course details but you need to understand how your car insurance operates in the circumstances you have described. You may of course know, but for anyone who doesn't.....

When you tow in a manner that is not allowed by law you only have third party insurance even where your policy is fully comprehensive. Further, if there was an accident when towing, the insurers can recover from you all of the costs they incur in compensating the other driver. You pay for your own damage repairs.

So, get on the course asap

Phil

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If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe

Greendemon315

03/1/2012 at 9:41am
Location: Blackburn Lancashire
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Yes, you definitely need to pass the test before you tow the caravan again. Check your figures first, just to be sure, but don't risk it any further than you already have.

Jim

PhoenixLager

03/1/2012 at 10:31am
Location: None Entered
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I did the test about this time last year. If you are confident and used to towing then a half day course will be plenty. On the test the instructor had be reversing in an 'S' shape through cones and stopping with the rear of the trailer in a specified stopping zone (about 1.5 meters). After doing that you then are asked to unhitch and then re-hitch the trailer. This is where most people fail aparantly as there are certain things that have to be done i.e. checking the handbrake is applied before hitching by pushing against the trailer, checking the tyres and lights, lifting the rear of the towcar with the jockey wheel to make sure its connected correctly etc. It was then abour a 45 minute drive and back to the test centre.

Surfer01

03/1/2012 at 10:41am
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It is the gross weight of the vehicle and the MTPLM of the caravan that could send you over the 3500kg limit, not the kerbweight plus MTPLM of caravan.
Wise move to upgrade as not having the correct licence could invalidate your insurance.

Grampian91

04/1/2012 at 4:22pm
Location: Midlands
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I cant see how the match you have is over the limits.

Goung by my sisters 2002 TDCI hatchback.

Gross train weight is less than 3500kg

Gross vehicle weight + trailer at vehicles unladen weight all come out legal.

Gross tow weight + gross vehicle weight woul;d be in excess of 3500kg. But you cannot tow that because it exceeds the vehicles gross train weight.

I do have the figures somewhere, I looked into it to make sure she would be legal. Not sure if she can tow with an estate though with its gross weigh in excess of 3500kg.

MattCharlie

04/1/2012 at 8:48pm
Location: Atherton Manchester
Outfit: Ford Mondeo TDCI & 5M Bell Tent

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Hi, I have been speaking with a guy from TRUK training who is a local training providor to me. He seemed doubtful my combination was over the limit. Whilst chatting to him I got my handbook out and re-checked the the car weight. Its a 2005 hatchback and I got my car figure wrong. The MAM of the car is actually 2025Kg not 2200Kg as I thought. In that case I am legal as the caravans MTPLM is less than the kerbweight. This gives me an 125Kg tolerance so am ok but am still going to do it anyway as caravans are just getting heavier these days. Thanks for all the replies :)

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Matt

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