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TowingPaul H
@amazonsprite
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Sept 20, 2005 18:23:14 GMT
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Due to the date when I passed my test (summer '99), my driving licence is more restricted than those issued previously. The only things that I know of are that I can't drive a 7 1/2 tonner or tow a trailer over a certain weight without having taken separate tests / courses.
I'm not fussed about being able to drive a truck, but does anyone know what the trailer weight cut-off is, and also where I can find info about the relevant test?
Cheers!
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BigWig
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,101
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Sept 20, 2005 19:00:59 GMT
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TowingPaul H
@amazonsprite
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Sept 20, 2005 23:10:47 GMT
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Thanks!
I've had a quick skim through, but to be honest most of it is straight over my head....
What I'm wanting to do is tow a large car trailer with the Sprite on it, behind my Amazon. I know that the Amazon will tow it easily, just a case of working out the legality.....
I'll have a better look at that site tomorrow.
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Sept 20, 2005 23:17:00 GMT
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I think this is the bit that applies, Paul..... So as long as A - the trailer + the sprite weighs less than the Volvo, and... B - the whole lot weighs less than 3500kgs, Then you're OK.
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Sept 21, 2005 10:51:10 GMT
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The new rules suck ass - you can bet that if we don't get them then your average my Plod/Magistrate won't either
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Sept 21, 2005 12:55:42 GMT
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The rules sound pretty undemanding to me.
Saying that, Skomad would be outside them with his skoda on a trailer behind another skoda, unless the ‘tower’ has a few hundred kg’s of ballast on the back seat! Get that Subaru squared up Skomad! They are pretty decent for towing.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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Sept 21, 2005 15:02:07 GMT
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They've been reworded on the DVLA website now - they used to cause me endless sleepless nights and I'm still not entirely confident of the legality of towing my bug behind my VW transporter even now. They used to imply that if the trailer was over 750kg you couldn't tow it at all
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Sept 21, 2005 15:13:22 GMT
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The rules sound pretty undemanding to me. Saying that, Skomad would be outside them with his skoda on a trailer behind another skoda, unless the ‘tower’ has a few hundred kg’s of ballast on the back seat! Get that Subaru squared up Skomad! They are pretty decent for towing. Don't forget, Mr_B that these rules only apply to folk who passed their driving tests AFTER 1997, not old duffers like you, me or SKOmad. Those passing before 1997 have a different set of restrictions...
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Sept 21, 2005 16:17:49 GMT
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I used to wonder how 'close to the edge' I was towing old heaps up and down the A1 with my towing dolly.
Never got stopped but I often wondered, if for no other reason than it is unbraked. I know the AA use dollys so they must be semi-legal but if the car which is on it has no tax/test thats a question which I have never been able to answer, also the question of the dolly being unbraked is tricky too.
Wonderful things these dollys though.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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TowingPaul H
@amazonsprite
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Sept 21, 2005 19:09:36 GMT
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They've been reworded on the DVLA website now.... They used to imply that if the trailer was over 750kg you couldn't tow it at all ....unless you passed before '97 or take the additional test. That's what I thought too, which is why I'm thoroughly confused by the whole issue
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TowingPaul H
@amazonsprite
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Sept 21, 2005 19:29:48 GMT
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Just had another search on the DVLA website: So, in English.... Up to 3.5 t, with trailer of 750kg (ie max 4.25 t) or Car & trailer combo with total weight of less than 3.5 t, and not exceeding max vehicle towing weight. Does everyone else agree with my translation?
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Last Edit: Sept 21, 2005 19:30:24 GMT by Paul H
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Sept 21, 2005 21:56:02 GMT
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I used to wonder how 'close to the edge' I was towing old heaps up and down the A1 with my towing dolly. Never got stopped but I often wondered, if for no other reason than it is unbraked. I know the AA use dollys so they must be semi-legal but if the car which is on it has no tax/test thats a question which I have never been able to answer, also the question of the dolly being unbraked is tricky too. Wonderful things these dollys though. Anything that is over 750kg is supposed to be braked. That includes dollys and A-frames. With A frames you are supposed to have someone sat in operating the brakes while the car is being towed, but I have seen some a-frames that can operate the brakes on the towed car. The car on it doesnt have to have tax and test as long as the tyres in contact with the road are road legal. The same also goes for a tow rope
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Sept 22, 2005 12:45:45 GMT
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I've also been told that to tow on a rope is illegal now, but who knows? I think the major issue is that there is a poo load of confusion about it and as I said above, I don't think that the average Policeman or magistrate would know whether what you were doing was illegal, especially if they are having a bad day. I once had the intense misfortune to end up in court for driving (legally ) an untaxed and untested car to an MOT test station. The special constable who pulled me over was a little wolly on his traffic law and so I got my day in the dock. Driving's my life and the thought of getting done caused me untold stress over the 6 months or so I ended up waiting to actually get into court, only to watch the magistrates tell the police soliciter they had no case
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Sept 22, 2005 12:54:40 GMT
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Sorry, that sounded like a rant! Didn't mean it to, it's just a concern
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Sept 22, 2005 12:59:23 GMT
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christ i tow all the time, never think of the legalities of it. With the old heffer of a benz i should be ok i guess ... but out of interest, i passed my test in Oct '97 - which set of rules apply to me? You guys have spoken of before 97 and after 97, not actually 97 itself lol.
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Sept 22, 2005 13:02:13 GMT
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My brother passed his test after the cut-off (can't remember when it is in 97) and he still retains the full entitlement from before! Check the back of your photocard license (if you have one) and the pictograms will tell you.
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