DinkyDi   10 #1 Posted August 21, 2006 Hi newbie here . any driving instructors anywhere who do a course for towing a caravan ? my husband currently tows our van but i would love to learn , but as i passed my driving test in late 97 when the law changed it states that i cannot tow without all those extra letters /digits ect on the back of your driving licence , so if anyone can help ........... cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
muddycoffee   10 #2 Posted August 21, 2006 What an amusing post..   If only there was a caravan towing license. This is a subject for which I regularly appear on the radio, where i have to pretend to be at an astonishing rage over the amount and state of caravans which clutter our motorways and roads.  To be honest I couldn't really care any longer.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
IanR Â Â 10 #3 Posted August 21, 2006 According to DVLA, for people who got their licence since '97: Â Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) OR a trailer over 750kgs 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. Â So unless you have a very large van you should be OK on your car licence. If you do have a van that needs a B+E licence you'd best ask the Caravan Club or similar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
rbrt   10 #4 Posted August 21, 2006 What an amusing post..  If only there was a caravan towing license. This is a subject for which I regularly appear on the radio, where i have to pretend to be at an astonishing rage over the amount and state of caravans which clutter our motorways and roads.  To be honest I couldn't really care any longer..  what a waste of bandwidth, thought suppose falling into the same trap by suggesting if you cant say anything useful, why bother!  try this friendly forum dinkydi :- http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/  btw there is a caravan / trailer licence though as ianr points out most of us have grandfather rights from pre 97 licences.   public enemy number 1 twice over, a 4x4 AND a caravan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
muddycoffee   10 #5 Posted August 21, 2006 what a waste of bandwidth, thought suppose falling into the same trap by suggesting if you cant say anything useful, why bother! try this friendly forum dinkydi :- http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/  btw there is a caravan / trailer licence though as ianr points out most of us have grandfather rights from pre 97 licences.   public enemy number 1 twice over, a 4x4 AND a caravan  That is a particularly aggressive post, insulting and uncalled for. I am owning up to being a "so called bogyman" which the BBC regularly call to feature on drive time shows, who regularly calls for a caravan test and other such rubbish like that. But in reality I am not bothered let alone in a rage about the subject. And If I hadn't made a stupid web page about it 7 years ago I would be less famous.  Can I say that a four wheeled drive vehicle towing a caravan should not make anyone mad, the torque and power should be plenty for such an operation. What I used to get mad about was when you saw huge traffic hold ups on hilly country lanes where some tiny engined fiesta was struggling along with the myopic driver being completely oblivious to the carnage behind.  Thanks for telling me about the caravan licence I never knew about that at all. Last time I was on supposedly "arguing" with an official from the caravan club, a couple of years ago live on radio stoke, they never mentioned it. This year I have been on 3 counties radio and I am getting a bit fed up with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Saxon   10 #6 Posted August 21, 2006 As Ian R states, unless you have a very large caravan, it is unlikely that you'll need B+E on your licence.  However, I am well versed in towing so if you'd like a few lessons, let me know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
dawman   10 #7 Posted August 21, 2006 the camping and caravaning club do a caravan towing course but i think you have to member Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Allen   38 #8 Posted August 21, 2006 The Caravan Club also provide towing courses to members, and is well worth joining for access to their certified location sites......much cheaper than your average commercial site.  My advice would be to find a large car park...somewhere like the Owlerton Stadium car park. Get behind the wheel and give it a go. You'll be surprised what an hours practise at reversing will do for the confidence. Going forward is easy, lol......the caravan will follow you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Shazbat   10 #9 Posted August 23, 2006 The first time I towed our caravan, I just swopped places with my ex- midway up the A64. No practice. Just got in the car and drove. It was a 40-year-old Sprite, rock solid, no stabiliser and it never moved. Not even in high winds driving down the A30 over Bodmin Moor; we were overtaking other drivers with much newer and lighter caravans having obvious difficulties even with stabilisers. Obviously that's not a recommendation but in our case, because the 'van was so old and built so heavily, it never caused us any problems. We never parked it using the car, just pushed and pulled it into position but my folks did the Caravan Club course when they got their present car, as being in their 60s it's going to be easier to use the car to position their 'van than push and pull it about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
spudgun   10 #10 Posted September 6, 2010 All the courses that the caravan club run are miles away though. I think the nearest is york so you`d have to stop over as it`s a day and a half course. I was hoping there`d be something nearer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Starlet83 Â Â 10 #11 Posted September 6, 2010 Honestly just get in the car an do it! You can spend your time and money on lessons and not learn a thing til you are out there on your own, OH tells me I'm a better driver when I am towing. Â A few months ago I was left with no choice but to tow our old van as OH was delicate, I suprised myself how easy it was, try on a long straight ish road to start with or a car park and then give reversing a go when you are in a car park or getting onto a pitch with nothing else round you! Its not hard at all! Just common sense! And makes things so much easier so we can now share the driving! Â Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...