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Subject Topic: Towing without B+E
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Personwilliam clark
via mobile 26/8/2019 at 9:07pm
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Hi new to caravaning
I'm confused as not sure if I need to sit this test I past my driving test after 1997 am I able to tow as says I can tow trailer 750kg or combine weight 3.5tons anything more will I need B+E if my cars weighs2000kg I can get caravan 1500kg i currently drive a ford kuga and been out looking to purchase one PLEASE HELP thanks in advance


Personmarg6
26/8/2019 at 9:38pm
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what model is your car? what year and engine size? what does it say on your vin plate? next the same for proposed caravan what make and model year and max loaded weight


Persontango55
26/8/2019 at 9:43pm
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If you passed your driving test after 1997 it just means that you are limited to what you can tow and cannot exceed the 3.5 ton limit which is the weight of the towing vehicle plus the caravan. What you need to do is find out EXACTLY what the kerbweight of the Ford Kuga is first then minus that figure from 3500 kgs. (3.5 ton) which leaves the figure required for the maximum weight of trailer you are allowed to tow by UK law. Remember to totally ignore the caravan's MIRO weight as that is what the caravan weighs when it leaves the factory so you need to always adhere to the caravan's MTPLM weight which is the MIRO + the personal payload. If you however change the car or caravan in the future then the figure will need to be recalculated unless you pass the B+E driving test in order to qualify to tow above the 3.5 ton limit.
You will find that the above advice is correct but it is still advisable to do your own research just to confirm that the information provided above is accurate.






Post last edited on 26/08/2019 21:50:49


Personwilliam clark
via mobile 26/8/2019 at 10:06pm
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Thanks for replying seen a few nice caravans but been put off towing them as been unsure thanks for the information so I'm looking at kerb weight of my car? Will Doolittle more research thanks


Personwilliam clark
via mobile 26/8/2019 at 10:07pm
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So confused with it all was going to book a test for B+E was a friend said it all depends on total weight thanks for advice 👍


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Personwilliam clark
via mobile 26/8/2019 at 10:14pm
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Sorry just a quick one
Ford kuga kerbweight of 1716kg
-this I can tow caravan 1784kg
What about load in car I.e family and belongings thanks


PersonRob and Tina
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You need to know the max plated weights of car and caravan. Your Kuga will have a max weight of around 2400 kg, check the weight plate on the car to get the correct figure. You will be able to tow a caravan with a max weight of 3500- the weight of the car so in your case around 1100 kg.

Check the DVLA site as mentioned above and check the plate on your car as these are the figures you need to use.


Persontango55
26/8/2019 at 10:43pm
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Quote: Originally posted by william clark on 26/8/2019
Sorry just a quick one
Ford kuga kerbweight of 1716kg
-this I can tow caravan 1784kg
What about load in car I.e family and belongings thanks


Yes that's right but this is where it gets a bit more complex. The only true way to do it is to take the car fully laden plus the caravan and it's payload and proceed to a weigh bridge and see if it is less than 3500 kgs.
Personally, if I was in that situation I would be looking for a caravan with an MTPLM around 1600 kgs. as that would give you around 150 kgs. to slot into the safe margin. It's too late once you have bought a caravan that's too heavy as it's back to the drawing board as they say.


PersonRob and Tina
26/8/2019 at 10:50pm
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The max plated weights are the weights that have to be used for licence entitlement. Please see the official website for clarification.

Tango is usually very good at this sort of thing but unfortunately his advice this time is incorrect. However it would be better for William to check the website and possibly phone the DVLA to get the definitive answer in case one of us has misunderstood the current situation.

Rob

This is a quick cut and paste from the gov.uk site:

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.


Persontango55
26/8/2019 at 11:13pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 26/8/2019
The max plated weights are the weights that have to be used for licence entitlement. Please see the official website for clarification.

Tango is usually very good at this sort of thing but unfortunately his advice this time is incorrect. However it would be better for William to check the website and possibly phone the DVLA to get the definitive answer in case one of us has misunderstood the current situation.

Rob

This is a quick cut and paste from the gov.uk site:

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.



Thanks, but it's not something that I have ever really had to pay any attention to as I passed my driving test well before 1997 but the total weight of my car plus my 2 berth caravan is around 2,900 kgs. so well within the limit if I had passed my driving test after 97 anyway. I know the basics but not always spot on like you say, that's why I advised the OP to do their own research anyway rather take legal advice from a forum.


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Personwilliam clark
via mobile 27/8/2019 at 6:06am
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Thanks to everyone for all the information
But I have just went and booked my B+E this morning 16th Oct wish me luck 😁


PersonFlat at
27/8/2019 at 9:51am
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Let us know how you get on


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Unfortunately the advice given on the GOV.UK website also needs to be read with caution. The opening page of the 'Towing: licence and age requirements', states the following:

'A full car licence already lets you tow trailers weighing no more than 750kg. You can also tow heavier trailers with a car as long as the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.'

It is only when you start delving through the options that it replaces the term weight with the correct term MAM, which is needed for working out your licence requirements.

Is it surprising that there is so much confusion on the issue?


PersonSamandRose
02/9/2019 at 5:57pm
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Just to clarify - it is the MAXIMUM PLATED weights of both the car and caravan (or any other type of braked trailer) combined that cannot legally exceed 3500kg, if you are towing on a post-1997 'Category B' licence. The kerb weight of the car, or the actual weight of either the car or caravan is irrelevant.

With a 'Category B' licence extension the combined maximum plated weights of car and trailer can be increased to up to 7000kg which is almost certainly more than you will need. However it is still a legal requirement that the actual weight (note: not necessarily the maximum plated weight this time) does not exceed the maximum towing limit of your car.

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Personiank01
03/9/2019 at 11:58am
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Quote: Originally posted by SamandRose on 02/9/2019
Just to clarify - it is the MAXIMUM PLATED weights of both the car and caravan (or any other type of braked trailer) combined that cannot legally exceed 3500kg, if you are towing on a post-1997 'Category B' licence. The kerb weight of the car, or the actual weight of either the car or caravan is irrelevant.

With a 'Category B' licence extension the combined maximum plated weights of car and trailer can be increased to up to 7000kg which is almost certainly more than you will need. However it is still a legal requirement that the actual weight (note: not necessarily the maximum plated weight this time) does not exceed the maximum towing limit of your car.


That is very confusing as the legislation revolves around the maximum plated train weight of the vehicle because if you exceed that even though it is under 3500kg you will still be fined!
good job the OP is sitting his B+E licence!


Personmadasaman
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Makes sense to take the test, my daughter did it, and said it wasn't too bad. She did pass by the way and towed to the Dordogne with us this year.

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