Trailer test

craig_c · 26 September 2006, 22:18

As im a young'in i have to take a trailer test to allow me to tow over 750kg. has anybody taken the test before? what am i to expect?

Nos4r2 · 26 September 2006, 22:45

Have a look at the class C practical test for HGVs-it's essentially the same reversing manouevre and the rest is like a long car test where you're expected to drive a bit better, use a shedload more observation and with more planning as you're towing a trailer.

I've done both HGV tests and they really aren't hard as long as you get the obs and planning right-and don't rush into things.

Jono Garton · 27 September 2006, 07:20

Graig

My advice would be to go withan approved driving school, there lots of little thing they dont tell you when you book a test. ie -

Trailer must be -

MAM 750kg> with breaks and be plated
as high and as wide as the towing veichle
not be loaded
not be a caravan

you must -

take a co driver with you
wear a vis vest when out of the veichle att all times.
have extended mirrors on your veichle

This is just a few of the things we have discovered putting two of our trainee instructors through the tests.

Jono

craig_c · 27 September 2006, 22:27

i have had lots of conflicting advice and worst has come from the test centre but im sure as long as i turn up and drive properly i should be ok. spent 30 mins on the phone trying to get the correct regs but its a minefield out there!!!

Lets go boating · 27 September 2006, 23:23

Making us do this test is stupid, just another way to make money.

Nos4r2 · 27 September 2006, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha Focker

Making us do this test is stupid, just another way to make money.

It's actually a good idea....look at the number of idiots towing caravans that have no idea.

codprawn · 28 September 2006, 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It's actually a good idea....look at the number of idiots towing caravans that have no idea.

Just as many idiots driving - and most of them HAVE taken a test!!!

Nos4r2 · 28 September 2006, 07:07

yeah but they aren't towing badly maintained and loaded dirty great boxes that act like sails in any crosswinds...

When I came back from Fowey in August I was looking at the endless stream of caravans as we passed them. 1 in 3 of them was so badly loaded as to be dangerous-either that or they had 2 tonnes of lead in the car spare wheel well as there wasn't anything visible in the boot-and one was pulling the car suspension UP from the amount of weight in the back of it

.

I see this more or less every day but being stuck at 56mph most of the time I don't overtake many-or vice versa-so I only see 2 or 3 normally and didn't realise the sheer numbers of complete f**ckwits.

Anything that makes these muppets take some training is worth it. It won't improve it immediately but it will eventually.

Jono Garton · 28 September 2006, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig_c

i have had lots of conflicting advice

when youve booked the test and received confirmation, phone the test centre and speek to the examiner, would be my advice.

Jono

Nos4r2 · 28 September 2006, 07:33

^^ good advice-the only drawback is they usually use the HGV test centres to do it (down here at least) due to the amount of room needed for the reversing exercise. They don't usually have anyone there apart from the examiner and he's out doing tests most of the time.

If you can't get hold of anyone then consider a couple of lessons-the instructor will know what the particular test centre likes-they aren't always consistent even though they should be. Lessons will help with the reversing exercise anyway and it's vital you get the observation right during this as you can fail before you even leave the test centre.It's always the same exercise but you'll get a bit of practice with the cones in the right places and tips/cheats on how to judge distance properly. (you'll need these-you have to get the back of the trailer into an area 18" long....)

craig_c · 28 September 2006, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

when youve booked the test and received confirmation, phone the test centre and speek to the examiner, would be my advice.

Jono

i did speak to the examiner, but he was adamant that the trailer HAD to be over a tonne in WEIGHT not Maximum authorised mass.

BogMonster · 28 September 2006, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

When I came back from Fowey in August I was looking at the endless stream of caravans as we passed them. 1 in 3 of them was so badly loaded as to be dangerous-either that or they had 2 tonnes of lead in the car spare wheel well as there wasn't anything visible in the boot-and one was pulling the car suspension UP from the amount of weight in the back of it

.

Aaaah negative noseweight - a wonderful and generous contributor to accident statistics I'm sure