trailering your nova

[richi]

if you recieved your license after the 1st jan 1997 do you need a additional license to trailer a nova, was thinking about doing it for track days just in case lol

[Hobbit]

what tow car?

[richi]

not sure as we where buying a new car soon so this will depend on the car we get looking at something like a big estate, 4x4 or large coupe

[Royston]

yes

[mowgli]

its a grey area...

you can tow up to 85% of the weight of the towing vehicle, up to (iirc) 3500kg total train weight....as long as the trailer is braked.

but i expect jack QC to prove me wrong.

[richi]

yeah as you said grey area, i found this which make me wonder

Category B vehicles with larger trailers i.e. > 750kg, provided that the combined MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. To be able to tow combinations outside this ruling requires the passing of an additional test.

so am i right in thinking that if the combined weight of the car, trailer and nova does not exceed 3.5tonnes its okay on a license after 97 as long as the car towing is heavier then the trailer and nova combined and in the manual of the car its okay to tow sed weight?????????

[Iain]

Not combined weight, combined maximum weight (from the stamps on the car and trailer) must not exceed 3.5 tonnes.

If you can get a car and trailer that adheres to this and the trailer is suitable to tow the Nova, I don't see why you can't tow it on your new style licence.

This is my understanding of it anyway.

[Hobbit]

almost, but the max weight of the trailer must be less than the unlaiden weight of the tow car, decent sized family saloon should be ok.

[mowgli]

and then avoid the m5 in worcs. as that is the home of the biggest tw@t on a police uniform, & he reckons he knows transport law, and loves to give out tickets

[MK999]

almost, but the max weight of the trailer must be less than the unlaiden weight of the tow car, decent sized family saloon should be ok.

Note it's *max* weight also, you may need to get the trailer replated at a lower maximum mass, as even if the trailer is empty, if it's capable of carrying more than you are allowed to you can get done for it.

[mowgli]

a transit mk3 beavertail is probably cheaper to run/insure

[Alex J]

buy a vectra v6 and a single wheel trailer, and your be fine to tow with, also been pulled a few times and its been fine:cool:

[richi]

well thinking of something like a volvo estate car

buying this trailer or something similar http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110720723390&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

and slaping the nova on the back, thinking that it would be okay to do it

[stupot89]

Pm boffer8 on here he has all the details you need as he trailers his rally car with his granddads LR90 and a small Brian James twin axle to rally's

[matthew172]

you thought about a dolly trailer ?

[richi]

looked at a dolly but wasnt sure if you coluld take them on motorways for long journeys thats why i looked at the trailer option

[mowgli]

towing A frame.... the winnebago boys tow little cars round all day on them...

http://intertradeuk.co.uk/catalogue_php/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=37

the only problem is if you prang the nova & need to trailer it home...

[Hobbit]

plus the nova would need tax mot and insurance.

[MiniManDan118]

I've got a small trailer for sale at the moment. Fits our Nova on perfectly. PM me if it interests you.

Dan :)

[Royston]

I might try and create an excel worksheet to calculate it.

If you understand the rules and have access to the correct vehicle/trailer combination it can be done legally.

Either way it will be worthwhile having all the vehicles, trailers and intended load weighed on a weighbridge with all you bits and bobs, tools, spare wheels, etc

Easy answer is to pass a B + E test, but you still need suitable vehicle/trailer

[richi]

so the a frame ones are okay? i have seen these on the bay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRAME-CAR-RECOVERY-TOWING-DOLLY-TRAILER-2-6-ton-/110719258213?pt=UK_Recovery_Tools&hash=item19c761ce65#ht_4209wt_1139 and they fold up just thought you wouldnt be allowed

[Royston]

so the a frame ones are okay? i have seen these on the bay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRAME-CAR-RECOVERY-TOWING-DOLLY-TRAILER-2-6-ton-/110719258213?pt=UK_Recovery_Tools&hash=item19c761ce65#ht_4209wt_1139 and they fold up just thought you wouldnt be allowed

towed car requires tax/MOT/ins

[richi]

mine does have tax mot and ins, sorry i should of mentioned that, main reason for trailering is discomfort of long trips in a nova, large cost in petrol and if the engine blows, only problem with the trailer i posted was it doesnt lift the front wheels of the ground which i think it would be worth the extra few hundred to get a trailer that does this

[Maka]

Found a useful website whilst gathering info on this - http://www.johnexley.co.uk/jedtagri.htm

Site is run by a driving instructor, some good worked examples of car/trailer combo's and clear information.

I was planning on taking my B+E test for carting my autograss nova up and down the country but dont think I'll bother now :)

[Royston]

I might try and create an excel worksheet to calculate it.

If you understand the rules and have access to the correct vehicle/trailer combination it can be done legally.


I have developed a spread sheet that should calculate if you do or don't need a B + E licence to legally drive the combination, I just want to prove it out before I release it;)

If anyone has any information regarding their primemover and trailer and can post it up or pm me, I will check it functions OK:)

Looking for.

My towing outfit as below

Vehicle : Range Rover Classic
Unladen weight: 2070kg
Gross vehicle weight:2510kg
Towing Capacity: 3500kg

Trailer:
Gross Plated weight: e.g. 3500kg
Trailer unladen weight: mine @ 1000kg, (must get it weighed) if available, but not necessary

Load Weight: Fordson Major Tractor 2420kg

You need a B + E to drive mine:roll:

[matthew172]

I have developed a spread sheet that should calculate if you do or don't need a B + E licence to legally drive the combination, I just want to prove it out before I release it;)

If anyone has any information regarding their primemover and trailer and can post it up or pm me, I will check it functions OK:)

Looking for.

My towing outfit as below

Vehicle : Range Rover Classic
Unladen weight: 2070kg
Gross vehicle weight:2510kg
Towing Capacity: 3500kg

Trailer:
Gross Plated weight: e.g. 3500kg
Trailer unladen weight: mine @ 1000kg, (must get it weighed) if available, but not necessary

Load Weight: Fordson Major Tractor 2420kg

You need a B + E to drive mine:roll:

so your allowed a train weight of 6010kg then ?

[Royston]

so your allowed a train weight of 6010kg then ?

That is what it works out at, RR are rated to tow 3500kg with over run brakes, can be increased to 4000kg if trailer has coupled hydraulic brakes and the RR's system is also is uprated but needs certification by LRRR though, don't know anyone who has done it though!

Also a Land Rover/Range Rover (and similar vehicles) aren't classed as a passenger car (don't know why)

I passed my test waaay before 1/1/1997 so was automatically granted a C1 licence (upto 7.5t) but hold full Class 1 HGV (C + E) anyway