Am I Legal To Tow A Caravan

[Michael_374420846]

Hi people i have just bought a abbey executive 430 caravan, and there is a badge on the side (next to the door) saying the weight is 753kg.

My car that i tow with it is a Vauxhall Vectra SRI 1998 model, and according to the manual the kerb weight of the vehicle is 1300kg.

I passed my test 13th August 2003 ( before Jan 2007 ), and was wondering if i would be able to that caravan with this car, OR if i would need to take a towing test.

Any help appreciated.

Many Thanks Michael.

 

[dougie201]

Hi Michael.

I think its 1997, if you passed your test before then you are ok, but after you need to sit a further test to allow you to tow even a small trailer never mind a caravan . It should be stated on your license what catagories you are entitled to drive and tow.

Dougie...............

 

[Michael_374420846]

Hi Michael.

I think its 1997, if you passed your test before then you are ok, but after you need to sit a further test to allow you to tow even a small trailer never mind a caravan . It should be stated on your license what catagories you are entitled to drive and tow.

Dougie...............

yes 1997 sorry got confused when putting 2007 but i have been reading things that say i could be ok to tow a carvan

 

[jo_374385568]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/index.htm
all the information you need is here

 

[Michael_374420846]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/index.htm

all the information you need is here

thanks jo i have read it but still unsure coz im a bit thick when it comes to weights etc haha

 

[Parksy]

Hi Michael

Information on towing law is accessible from the home page of this website by clicking on the Home Page logo in the blue box.

I've copied and pasted the information which concerns driving licences:

Driving Licences

A full (not provisional) driving licence is required to tow a caravan. From 1 January 1997, new category B (generally held as 'normal' car entitlement) vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg Maximum Authorised Mass allowing a combined weight of up to 4.25 tonnes MAM OR a trailer (for example a tourer) over 750kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM. This would mean that many drivers who possess only a category B on their licence would be able to tow a caravan provided it was not heavier than their car, and that car and caravan combined, does not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.

New drivers of outfits over these limits must take a category B + E test.

Further information from: Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)

www.dvla.gov.uk

 

[Parksy]

I forgot to add that because you passed your test before 1st January 1997 you don't need to take the category B test.

 

[jo_374385568]

Parksy he said he passed his test in 2003.

 

[Michael_374420846]

Hi Michael

Information on towing law is accessible from the home page of this website by clicking on the Home Page logo in the blue box.

I've copied and pasted the information which concerns driving licences:

Driving Licences

A full (not provisional) driving licence is required to tow a caravan. From 1 January 1997, new category B (generally held as 'normal' car entitlement) vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg Maximum Authorised Mass allowing a combined weight of up to 4.25 tonnes MAM OR a trailer (for example a tourer) over 750kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM. This would mean that many drivers who possess only a category B on their licence would be able to tow a caravan provided it was not heavier than their car, and that car and caravan combined, does not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.

New drivers of outfits over these limits must take a category B + E test.

Further information from: Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)

www.dvla.gov.uk

i passed my test in 2003 so it does affect me but what do you think as i have read that but still dont understand properly whether i can tow my caravan with my car ( im thick )ha ha

 

[emmitdb]

Greetings Michael,

With regard to your specific circumstances;

Al though you haven't provided all the necessary weights for me to give you an exact indication with regard to your outfit I have made some 'ballpark' presumptions.

First of all, your car has a kerb weight of 1300kgs. I will 'assume' that it has a Gross weight of 1800kgs (Thats 500kgs to allow for load)

Your caravan has a badge on the side that says 753kg. I will assume that that is its MIRO or unladen weight. I will further assume that it is fitted with brakes. I will now add a very generous 247kgs to allow for load.

This will take your MTPLM (or, if you like Maximum weight to 1000kgs.)

Now, because you passed your test aftyer 1/1/1997 you are only allowed to tow a braked trailer if

1. The combined weights (laden) are less than 3500kgs.

(Your combination weighs 1800kgs+1000kgs = 2800 kgs)

2 Your braked trailer weighs less than your towing vehicle

(Your Your trailer DOES weigh less)

So, in your circumstances you are perfectly entitled to tow the above combination.

It would not surprise me if other came along and said "Ah but you dont EXACTLY know the EXACT weights" but take it from me, I'd be gobsmacked if I'm wrong in your circs.

 

[Parksy]

Parksy he said he passed his test in 2003.

I seem to have misread Michaels dates

 

[Michael_374420846]

Greetings Michael,

With regard to your specific circumstances;

Al though you haven't provided all the necessary weights for me to give you an exact indication with regard to your outfit I have made some 'ballpark' presumptions.

First of all, your car has a kerb weight of 1300kgs. I will 'assume' that it has a Gross weight of 1800kgs (Thats 500kgs to allow for load)

Your caravan has a badge on the side that says 753kg. I will assume that that is its MIRO or unladen weight. I will further assume that it is fitted with brakes. I will now add a very generous 247kgs to allow for load.

This will take your MTPLM (or, if you like Maximum weight to 1000kgs.)

Now, because you passed your test aftyer 1/1/1997 you are only allowed to tow a braked trailer if

1. The combined weights (laden) are less than 3500kgs.

(Your combination weighs 1800kgs+1000kgs = 2800 kgs)

2 Your braked trailer weighs less than your towing vehicle

(Your Your trailer DOES weigh less)

So, in your circumstances you are perfectly entitled to tow the above combination.

It would not surprise me if other came along and said "Ah but you dont EXACTLY know the EXACT weights" but take it from me, I'd be gobsmacked if I'm wrong in your circs.

thanks del advic much thanked at least thats one thing less i have to worry about i thought the same but wanted somebody to confirm

many thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Michael.

Some confusion still exists about your licence and the vehicles you have. I will assume that you passed your test in April 2003, (after the 1997 licence changes)

I have been unable to find any data from my usual sources about the Abbey executive 430 models so I cannot confirm the information you have supplied. But your posting has rung a warning bell to me. Generally Abbey have used a model numbering system that increases along with size and weight of the caravan. And 430 falls amongst the larger numbers Abbey use.. Abbey vans with model numbers in the 400's have MIRO's between 893Kg and 1440Kg Consequently I am not convinced that your caravan only weighs 753Kg MIRO. I feel it is likely to be somewhat heavier.

Equally my sources do not list the 1998 Vectra Sri, but within the range the 1.8L saloons have do have a maximum permitted towed mass of 1400Kg with a kerb weight of 1300Kg or a little over depending on the model variations.

As I do not have verifiable data on either part of your combination I cannot offer definitive advice however I am concerned that your outfit may actually be illegal. You must seek clarification on the models you have and their respective weights. Do not rely on third party web sites, as my own investigations have demonstrated, either they are incomplete or do not cover every model made, or the information may be inaccurate. Check your data with the relevant hand books or data plates for the vehicles, or with the registered dealer or direct with the manufacturer.

The Law in this area is easily confused, so I urge you read the information available on the NTTA web site:

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/
and if necessary confirm it with the DVLA or the Department for transport.

Please note that you with your post 1997 licence cannot tow a trailer where its maximum authorised mass (MAM) is greater than the kerbweight of the car - even if the trailer is not fully loaded and is actually less than the Kerbweight of the car. This is a point that Del did not make clear.

 

[Michael_374420846]

thanks for your concern jon i dont suppose you have any number i could phone to phone out from the dealer do you as i have the seriel number but for more info on his plate its says 753kg is the maximum gross weight of the caravan and was made 1985 and as for the 430 it is part of the decals on the back at each side and the front and back has abbey at the bottom and executive on the roof panel front and back

thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello again Michael

I don't have a phone number for dealers or manufactures, but if you need to find out they will have numbers on their web sites etc. However abbey were taken over by Swift a few years after your van was manufactured, and whilst records should have been transferred, it is quite possible some older ones will be unavailable.

Some good news! You have just added some very important information:-

"The plate its says 753kg is the maximum gross weight" = MGW 753Kg

Previously you had only said the "weight is 753Kg", which I think most of us had assumed was the Ex works weight or the 'kerbweight' for the caravan. The MGW is very important; as this is the heaviest the caravan must be with all your clothes, gas, pots and pans etc. It is bradly the same as the MTPLM for the caravan

I am still surprised how light it is, but you are well within the capabilities of the Vectra and your licence at that weight.

Do make sure the caravans wheels and brakes are serviced, as even with such a light weight caravan they are very important.

Don't forget that the tyres on caravans rarely wear out, they actually age, and it is suggested they are changed at 5 years.

 

[Michael_374420846]

Hello again Michael

I don't have a phone number for dealers or manufactures, but if you need to find out they will have numbers on their web sites etc. However abbey were taken over by Swift a few years after your van was manufactured, and whilst records should have been transferred, it is quite possible some older ones will be unavailable.

Some good news! You have just added some very important information:-

"The plate its says 753kg is the maximum gross weight" = MGW 753Kg

Previously you had only said the "weight is 753Kg", which I think most of us had assumed was the Ex works weight or the 'kerbweight' for the caravan. The MGW is very important; as this is the heaviest the caravan must be with all your clothes, gas, pots and pans etc. It is bradly the same as the MTPLM for the caravan

I am still surprised how light it is, but you are well within the capabilities of the Vectra and your licence at that weight.

Do make sure the caravans wheels and brakes are serviced, as even with such a light weight caravan they are very important.

Don't forget that the tyres on caravans rarely wear out, they actually age, and it is suggested they are changed at 5 years.

Ok thanks very much for your help john im sorry didnt make clear concerning the weight before its just this is the first caravan i have had and im new to caravaning so dont know which about them

Thanks Again Michael

 

[emmitdb]

Hello Michael.

Some confusion still exists about your licence and the vehicles you have. I will assume that you passed your test in April 2003, (after the 1997 licence changes)

I have been unable to find any data from my usual sources about the Abbey executive 430 models so I cannot confirm the information you have supplied. But your posting has rung a warning bell to me. Generally Abbey have used a model numbering system that increases along with size and weight of the caravan. And 430 falls amongst the larger numbers Abbey use.. Abbey vans with model numbers in the 400's have MIRO's between 893Kg and 1440Kg Consequently I am not convinced that your caravan only weighs 753Kg MIRO. I feel it is likely to be somewhat heavier.

Equally my sources do not list the 1998 Vectra Sri, but within the range the 1.8L saloons have do have a maximum permitted towed mass of 1400Kg with a kerb weight of 1300Kg or a little over depending on the model variations.

As I do not have verifiable data on either part of your combination I cannot offer definitive advice however I am concerned that your outfit may actually be illegal. You must seek clarification on the models you have and their respective weights. Do not rely on third party web sites, as my own investigations have demonstrated, either they are incomplete or do not cover every model made, or the information may be inaccurate. Check your data with the relevant hand books or data plates for the vehicles, or with the registered dealer or direct with the manufacturer.

The Law in this area is easily confused, so I urge you read the information available on the NTTA web site:

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/
and if necessary confirm it with the DVLA or the Department for transport.

Please note that you with your post 1997 licence cannot tow a trailer where its maximum authorised mass (MAM) is greater than the kerbweight of the car - even if the trailer is not fully loaded and is actually less than the Kerbweight of the car. This is a point that Del did not make clear.

John L,

I didn't think I had to make anything clear.

The worst case scenario was that the caravan referred to by Michael had a Miro of 753kgs. The fact that it turned out to be MTPLM went to make an excellent match, so much better.

If in and amongst all your records you can find any caravan that has a MAM in excess of the kerb weight of any Vectra (regardless of engine size, fuel, body type, starting from a MIRO of 753kgs I'd be glad to hear of it.

From the information given by Michael I gave good advice somewhat clouded by your assumption (wrong)that there couldn't be a caravan with such a low weight and then further compounded the felony by telling the bloke that he didn't know the make and model of his car.

My last paragraph was some prophetic.