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Topic: Towing a trailer for the first time

Andyjackson

29/4/2015 at 8:25pm
Location: South Manchester
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi All,

So, we have a trailer. Its a Lider Saragos. 750kg Gross.

It will be towed by a Freelander 2, so I don't have any concerns about whether the car can cope.

I haven't towed before, nor owned a trailer, so, I'm looking for some tips.

For example, what do you guys pack in terms of a jack - do you use the car jack or have you a small one for the trailer - where do you jack the trailer? on the torsion beams?

it'll be stored in the garage when not in use, do people store them just as they are, or put them on axle stands?

Do they need servicing? it'll be taken to the south of France and back, plus the odd trip to south Wales from Manchester each year.

I'm aware of the speed limits in the UK, can someone help me out with the limits in France?

Any other tips from the towing fraternity will be greatly received!

Thanks

billy

29/4/2015 at 9:16pm
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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I assume Freelander will have max allowable gross train weight of over 3.5tonnes so regardless of trailer weight your French motorway speed limit is only 90k/56mph & 80k/50mph out of town roads. Thats the quirky French law but it does seem widely ignored so up to you.

greasychipbutty

29/4/2015 at 9:28pm
Location: Sheffield
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Hi Andy,
Not sure what type of camper you own or what is in it, but i would have a service for breaks and wheel bearing check.
It is better if the weight of the camper is not on the same spot for any length of time ie winter storage .It is better if you have the space to move it around or better still axle stands. You can buy winter wheels ,which are a small steel frame which sit on the ground and fasten to your wheel bolts in place of your wheels ,plus added security someone may put a link up to show you as am am computer useless.
If the car jack is not suitable you can get a bottle jack which does not take up much space all caravan spares sell them.
Towing should not be a problem, though reversing is a little harder just find a bit of space and have a practice before you go ,It is harder to reverse a small trailer than a larger caravan.
Check if the camper is wider than the towing vehicle you may need mirrors
Hope this helps .....happy camping GCB

Hacksaw Bob

29/4/2015 at 9:43pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Various tents

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Winter Wheels

and

Reversing Game

(often easier to unhitch a small trailer and manoeuvre it by hand)

andy monty

02/5/2015 at 6:09pm
Location: Gods Own Country
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whats the combined MAM of the car and trailer and when did you pass your driving test? do you need / have B+E with your chosen outfit combination?

if its over 3500kg combined plate weight you need the +E part

Skoda Bob

02/5/2015 at 7:02pm
Location: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by andy monty on 02/5/2015
whats the combined MAM of the car and trailer and when did you pass your driving test? do you need / have B+E with your chosen outfit combination?

if its over 3500kg combined plate weight you need the +E part

Its one of those camping type trailers you can buy from Halfords, he wont even know its there

andy monty

02/5/2015 at 11:42pm
Location: Gods Own Country
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That's not the point he says it has a mgw of 750 kg if the free lander is plated mgw of 3000kg he needs a b+e as its 250kg over the threshold

DaveS1

03/5/2015 at 9:07am
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
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As Billy x says, you will definitely be limited to 80 or 90 kph which does make a long journey pretty monotonous.
Daves1

Rhj296

03/5/2015 at 9:47am
Location: Sweet Home Inversneckie
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To get experience of driving and manoeuvring it, plan a route that allows you to go out and back with NO surprises. Just enough to practice turning and getting the feel of it. Early in the morning or at a quiet period with minimum traffic till you feel more confident. Supermarket car parks are also great if you can get there late or early. They allow you to try a bit more manoeuvring.. Reversing takes time and practice and when it all goes wrong and you're under pressure, uncouple it and move it by hand.
When I bought mine I had the benefit of 2 miles of quiet country road followed by 150 miles on the A9 north in peace to get used to it.
Take your time is the best advice.
Good luck and safe travelling.

Jesscar

03/5/2015 at 10:41am
Location: Leicester
Outfit: Avondale Argente 650-6

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Quote: Originally posted by andy monty on 02/5/2015
That's not the point he says it has a mgw of 750 kg if the free lander is plated mgw of 3000kg he needs a b+e as its 250kg over the threshold

From gov.uk

Category B

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.

Skoda Bob

03/5/2015 at 11:33am
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Quote: Originally posted by andy monty on 02/5/2015
That's not the point he says it has a mgw of 750 kg if the free lander is plated mgw of 3000kg he needs a b+e as its 250kg over the threshold

That's the freelander's fully loaded max weight

Andyjackson

03/5/2015 at 6:36pm
Location: South Manchester
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I said I hadn't towed before not that I was a moron!

The freelander comes in well under two ton it may hit two and a bit onec we have fuel and two people.

I was unsure about the towing rules in France, one because I could in theory tow at a faster speed with a lighter car which seems odd and two because last year we were overtaken by lots of either German or Dutch drivers who were very flexible with the speed limits.

A quick Google will get you the exact trailer

Cheers

listerdiesel

03/5/2015 at 7:07pm
Location: Rushden Northants
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Driving at 80/90kmh in France is no big deal, stay off the Autoroutes and enjoy rural France.

We took our big 6-wheeler down to France last year for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the back routes.

Dual-carriageways are fairly quiet:

We did get a bit of speed up occasionally:

Pictures are from our dashcam, our son's Discovery is in front.

We are off again this month, Holland then France.

Peter

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