Turboman
Mab An Gov
Only to onlookers. I doubt if the driver can see it much at all.
Only to onlookers. I doubt if the driver can see it much at all.
Hicap phill
Well-Known Member
Even better behind a series.
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
The basic test is £120-140 I think, but tbh I'd probably hire a vehicle and trailer. They are really funny about having the "right" trailer. It has to be an exact size, shape and weight. Not just any trailer.
They are also funny about the tow vehicle and won't even let you take the test if you don't have additional towing mirrors fitting, a friend got turned away and sent home. Despite being in a 90, which has mirrors more than big enough to see down the sides of the test trailer. But maybe it is our local test station that is very specific.
My brother and cousin have taken their trailer tests in recent years. It costs about £400 for the hire of a vehicle, trailer and lesson before, as a 1 day intensive. And the silly thing is, it's a complete gamble on if you will pass. Whether founded or not, our local test station has a reputation of failing people for no real reason. As essentially they can always find something to fail you on. My cousin got minus marks (the max allowed and still pass) for not using the cruise control on the tow vehicle, despite the fact he didn't even know it had cruise and had only driven it for the first time 2 hours prior.
My brother was also told by the instructor not to use low range when reversing the trailer, that is an instant fail.
I don't really need to be taught how to tow, for years (I'm 38 BTW) I've been driving tractors with 10 tonne of corn behind them. But being shown how to try and pass the test is probably worthwhile.
And despite that, I've never really had an actual 'need' to tow, although sometimes it would be useful.
As for the Sankey, if it's legal tow as is, why not? Seems silly not too and no need to find another to tow it.
On this note, it makes a complete mockery of the trailer test anyway. As right now I and others can legally tow any 750kg trailer and with a bit of thought such as my opening post, can tow just under 1400kg. That's a kit car on a suitable trailer or maybe even a small caravan. The trailer test doesn't test or teach any differences between a lighter trailer and a heavier one, they take the view that you can't tow at all without it. Which is rather silly.
And of course, no additional licence is required to drive and tow these.
Honestly with your background you'd breeze it!
I got 2 minors for mine, on the old by-pass I didn't accelerate up to 50 as I thought the limit was 40, and then when you have to pull up as tight to the kerb as possible without touching, the trailer tyre slightly touched the edging as I pulled away! Apart from that its your car test essentially, after you've done your manoeuvre s and reversing (on site, not on road), you just have to show decisiveness at roundabouts and early braking etc, honestly a piece of cake...and then the towing world is your oyster (or something like that) . Wasn't to much either!
flat
Well-Known Member
Narrow track for a series and wide track for a 90/110/defender era
A brockhouse looks spot on behind a series
flat
Well-Known Member
Yeah a longer trailer would be better and easier to manouveur
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
A twin axle 16ft Ifor is my weapon of choice, can tow big tracked chipper, 2. something ton digger, 2.5 tons of logs and a shed load of chippings (with the ply sides up) , not all at once, obviously. Also I've found twin axle to be much better when turning around in tight yards etc as you can get one wheel to lift, tripple axle is better ont road but useless in really tight spots where you need some slidige! 
Turboman
Mab An Gov
6 foot wide Ifor, either flatbed or box, is the easiest of all to use with a Landrover. The trailer is six inches either side wider than the flat sided body of the vehicle. Gives you a perfect sight line for reversing.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
You won't if you put in a few hours practice first, it is like the driving test, you just have to do a few simple things without making major mistakes.
Can you get your work to pay for it?
I keep trying but they ain't interested. They are quite happy for me to tow on site and have "possibly" suggested i do it on the road too.... If I pay for it my self i won't be using it at work.
Hicap phill
Well-Known Member
Here's a Q for you @goonarmy
Have they trained you to tow on site?
If they have not this is a very quick way of getting your test done. They cannot force you to go any job which you have not been trained/signed off for.
I own my own licences for multiple forklifts/attachments
Towing(livestock/ wato for horses)
Cherry pickers & boom lifts.
Work did not pay for any of these and they don't get the luxury of me using them. Even through some are on site.
H&S helps your cause also with off road towing & liability
Have they trained you to tow on site?
If they have not this is a very quick way of getting your test done. They cannot force you to go any job which you have not been trained/signed off for.
I own my own licences for multiple forklifts/attachments
Towing(livestock/ wato for horses)
Cherry pickers & boom lifts.
Work did not pay for any of these and they don't get the luxury of me using them. Even through some are on site.
H&S helps your cause also with off road towing & liability
They don't force me to do anything and that's the problem. I do it on site to improve production and efficiency. If it was compulsory then id get the training straight away as a matter of course. There are lads where towing is part of their role and they go straight on it if needed. As it's not required but would be useful it don't get paid for.Here's a Q for you @goonarmy
Have they trained you to tow on site?
If they have not this is a very quick way of getting your test done. They cannot force you to go any job which you have not been trained/signed off for.
I own my own licences for multiple forklifts/attachments
Towing(livestock/ wato for horses)
Cherry pickers & boom lifts.
Work did not pay for any of these and they don't get the luxury of me using them. Even through some are on site.
H&S helps your cause also with off road towing & liability
Chalky.
Well-Known Member
They don't force me to do anything and that's the problem. I do it on site to improve production and efficiency. If it was compulsory then id get the training straight away as a matter of course. There are lads where towing is part of their role and they go straight on it if needed. As it's not required but would be useful it don't get paid for.
Honestly bud its really straightforward, I'm not a gung-ho kind of guy, and I was nervous the morning of the test, but it really is a piece of cake, especially if you've manoeuvred them on sites etc! I tow most working days now, and because the trailer is pretty much the same width as the landy I sometimes forget its even there,, that is until I have to drop a cog or two on the hills!
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Actually I was quite impressed with how the Sankey towed. I can see it in both mirrors and the rear view. Did over 300 miles with it over the weekend.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
When you have passed your test, try a twin axle Ifor, and tell me which you prefer.
300 miles in a weekend is good going, plenty of practice for the test.
