Towing A Caravan

[kkynaston]

Ok, so our pub landlord has offered to let me borrow his caravan whenever I want.
Problem is i'm 22 and have had my license for 5 years and I have heard (from somewhere?) that if you passed your test after 1997 you have to take a trailer test to pull a caravan.

Does anyone know if this is true or can I just hitch up and get gone?

 

[simon_m]

Yes you will have do do the test

 

[TonyWarrington]

You will need to take additional test.

Details here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022564

 

[jefoss]

22 going on 50... go get some sunshine before the world collapses (sorry been reading joes posts!)

 

[kkynaston]

22 going on 50... go get some sunshine before the world collapses (sorry been reading joes posts!)

As much as I would love to can't afford it.
Hell, we haven't even got passports yet

What with a mortgage, fuel etc etc etc. you all know how it goes i'm sure.
Anyway most people say I act at least 40!

All settled down with a mortgage, diy, fiancee and a dog

 

[MarkBarl]

Yes you will have do do the test

Not necessarily. The Law states

Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg having not more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg. Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle

Depending on the combination of weights of the caravan and towing vehicle it may not be necessary to take an additional test. Have a look at the Caravan Club website. It has some useful information.

 

[breezer]

would you really want to tow some one elses property?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

How to deal with caravans.....

 

[breezer]

that picture is nothing, see a video (nice colour) clicky

 

[empip]

Around '70... Did Scotland, jumped out of Mini, into hither to unseen BIL's (chosen from dealing yard being only vehicle sporting tow hitch) Zephyr 6 (column gear change) plus ( borrowed ) caravan, Halfords extender mirror fitted to driver's side, reg' number white emulsioned onto van plate just prior to the off... .
Coming from south - second lap of Gloucester bypass saw us off and running toward the mysterious cold North...
Two weeks of hilarity superb time had by all ... We used a 'Camp site guide' borrowed from library.... Amazed at decent camp site quality.

Had glorious weather throughout second week ... could even slickly drop down a cog at 50 - missing 2nd then boot our land train past the odd eight wheeler...
Never caravaned since, but it was fun.

 

[Spark123]

Ok, so our pub landlord has offered to let me borrow his caravan whenever I want.
Problem is i'm 22 and have had my license for 5 years and I have heard (from somewhere?) that if you passed your test after 1997 you have to take a trailer test to pull a caravan.

Does anyone know if this is true or can I just hitch up and get gone?

Have a look on your driving license - it tells you what can drive.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Whether mandatory or not, if you've never towed one before it's probably a BGI to get some specialised training.....