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Towing a bailey pageant

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  • 29-01-2020 11:24pm
    #1
    Moggaman
    Registered Users Posts: 348 ✭✭


    Hi. I might be getting a Bailey pageant . It’s mass in running order is 1180kg and it MTPLM is 1396. I want to pull it with a hatchback Vauxhall’s insignia where it’s weight is 2160 and gross weight allowed - car and van is 3925kg. My reading is that I’ll be pulling a caravan which will be around 1400kg max plus my car which is 2160kg..giving 3560kgs....do I need a trailer licence....?


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    #2
    Alkers
    Registered Users Posts: 6,815 ✭✭✭Alkers


    Yes, it's the gross weights that are relevant so once they're more than the permitted 3,500kg on the b license you need the trailer licence


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    #3
    AckwelFoley
    Registered Users Posts: 12,556 ✭✭✭✭AckwelFoley


    See attached.

    Explains the upper limits of each licence


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    #4
    Moggaman
    Registered Users Posts: 348 ✭✭Moggaman


    Thanks for that. Looking at a caravan that has a MTPLM of 1420...Mass in running order of 1195kg.
    My cars plate is attached .. can I ask ye ... is my insignia sound to pull this regardless of licences


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    #5
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    2160kg + 1420kg = 3580kg = BE Licence

    Having said that there are many with car/caravan outfits with a B Licence.
    Not having a BE licence may only bring trouble if the outfit looks heavy, like the tow vehicle is a large SUV or van or the caravan is a large twin axle or a combination of both. A 'regular' car and caravan should not come to the notice of the authorities.
    The most important thing from a road safety point of view is that the caravan weight is not more than 85% of the weight of the car, it's not law but good practice and advised by The Caravan and Motorhome Club

    Finally, if your new to towing, for maximum towing stability it's important to have about 8% of the caravan/trailer weight or the max allowable for the towing car (Insignia = 90kg), which ever is the higher, bearing down on the hitch.


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    #6
    spaceHopper
    Registered Users Posts: 3,970 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    If you have a B license is it hard to get a BE license. May camper is part time 4w4 an I'm thinking I might want to one day tow a boat


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    #7
    Moggaman
    Registered Users Posts: 348 ✭✭Moggaman


    niloc1951 wrote: »
    2160kg + 1420kg = 3580kg = BE Licence

    Having said that there are many with car/caravan outfits with a B Licence.
    Not having a BE licence may only bring trouble if the outfit looks heavy, like the tow vehicle is a large SUV or van or the caravan is a large twin axle or a combination of both. A 'regular' car and caravan should not come to the notice of the authorities.
    The most important thing from a road safety point of view is that the caravan weight is not more than 85% of the weight of the car, it's not law but good practice and advised by The Caravan and Motorhome Club

    Finally, if your new to towing, for maximum towing stability it's important to have about 8% of the caravan/trailer weight or the max allowable for the towing car (Insignia = 90kg), which ever is the higher, bearing down on the hitch.

    Issue is that if u were in an accident , ur insurers might not pay up if u were overweight.
    Is my insignia man enough for the bailey pageant auvergne ? MTPLM 1420kg


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    #8
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    Moggaman wrote: »
    ................................ Is my insignia man enough for the bailey pageant auvergne ? MTPLM 1420kg

    CLICK HERE to check


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    #9
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭gandalfio


    Sorry to hijack but I've a similar query having come across this thread.
    Would this be a safe combination with it being my first time towing anything ?

    https://towcar.info/GB/outfitmatch.php


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    #10
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    gandalfio wrote: »
    Sorry to hijack but I've a similar query having come across this thread.
    Would this be a safe combination with it being my first time towing anything ?

    https://towcar.info/GB/outfitmatch.php

    This is in the report For drivers with knowledge of, and experience in driving a caravan it is safe to drive which answers your question.
    82% is close to the recommended safe limit of 85% so being a novice you would need to be especially carefull until you gain some experience.


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    #11
    gandalfio
    Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭gandalfio


    niloc1951 wrote: »
    This is in the report For drivers with knowledge of, and experience in driving a caravan it is safe to drive which answers your question.
    82% is close to the recommended safe limit of 85% so being a novice you would need to be especially carefull until you gain some experience.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Just noticed that link doesn't link to my car and caravan match.

    It would be a Skoda Octavia Combi (1.6, estate 90bhp) and a Sterling Europa 470. It returns an 89% ratio. Would it be a total no no to use this combination? If so, would I be better off getting some lessons, or using a different car to tow?


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    #12
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    gandalfio wrote: »
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Just noticed that link doesn't link to my car and caravan match.

    It would be a Skoda Octavia Combi (1.6, estate 90bhp) and a Sterling Europa 470. It returns an 89% ratio. Would it be a total no no to use this combination? If so, would I be better off getting some lessons, or using a different car to tow?

    As long as the trailer (caravan) isn't heavier than the towing vehicle its legal. But the real question is, is it safe. At 89% it would be a challenge and definitely not a relaxing experience. CLICK HERE


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    #13
    oinkely
    Registered Users Posts: 945 ✭✭✭oinkely


    spaceHopper wrote: »
    If you have a B license is it hard to get a BE license. May camper is part time 4w4 an I'm thinking I might want to one day tow a boat

    no, you just have to do a driving test with a trailer.


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    #14
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    spaceHopper wrote: »
    If you have a B license is it hard to get a BE license. May camper is part time 4w4 an I'm thinking I might want to one day tow a boat

    If the trailer does not exceed 750kg a B Licence is ok up to a total weight 4,250kg (towing vehicle + trailer)

    To put it another way, taking the example of a van or motorhome with a GVW of 3,500kg you can tow a trailer which does not exceed 750kg without the need of a BE Licence.


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    #15
    Del2005
    Registered Users Posts: 18,915 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    niloc1951 wrote: »
    2160kg + 1420kg = 3580kg = BE Licence

    Having said that there are many with car/caravan outfits with a B Licence.
    Not having a BE licence may only bring trouble if the outfit looks heavy, like the tow vehicle is a large SUV or van or the caravan is a large twin axle or a combination of both. A 'regular' car and caravan should not come to the notice of the authorities.
    The most important thing from a road safety point of view is that the caravan weight is not more than 85% of the weight of the car, it's not law but good practice and advised by The Caravan and Motorhome Club

    Finally, if your new to towing, for maximum towing stability it's important to have about 8% of the caravan/trailer weight or the max allowable for the towing car (Insignia = 90kg), which ever is the higher, bearing down on the hitch.

    As said your insurance company won't cover you towing illegally and if you leave this country other police forces enforce laws so an overweight foreign combination is an easy target for them


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