Can I tow a caravan on a B licence....

[TheHulk]

I have tried to understand all the rules etc which comes with legally towing a caravan.....and it's clear as mud to me.
I have a B Licence as I passed my test after 1997. I have a 2003 1.8 16v ZT-T and need to know if I can purchase a caravan which will put me within the correct towing weights so I can legally tow a caravan without being over weight and therefore illegal. Hmmm

[RPWC]

You will need to take another test to tow a caravan,unless the COMBINED weight of your car and LADEN caravan,is under 3.5 tons. see here

In this article reference is made to the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permissible maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.
Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats

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.
For example:

• a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle

Whereas

• the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
• Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

[TheHulk]

Thanks for your reply RPWC.
So the ZT-T is 1420kg unladen so as long as the caravan weighs less than 1.4 tonne is can be towed on a B Licence as its below 3.5 tonnes? Am I correct or totally wrong?

[daddydobbo]

dont forget to add the weight of all your passengers and a full tank of fuel and any luggage that will be carried it all adds to the gross weight of the car

[TheHulk]

Originally Posted by daddydobbo

dont forget to add the weight of all your passengers and a full tank of fuel and any luggage that will be carried it all adds to the gross weight of the car

I've been looking on Google and this site is very useful:-

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/2...%20caravan.pdf

Also it would only be a small 2 berth caravan and from looking at some on ebay they are no more than 750kg, I appreciate once packed this will increase but its not going to weigh more than the car and a car with myself, my missus and my 3 year old plus luggage and the caravan isn't going to be above 3.5 tonne.

[RPWC]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

I've been looking on Google and this site is very useful:-

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/2...%20caravan.pdf

Also it would only be a small 2 berth caravan and from looking at some on ebay they are no more than 750kg, I appreciate once packed this will increase but its not going to weigh more than the car and a car with myself, my missus and my 3 year old plus luggage and the caravan isn't going to be above 3.5 tonne.

In that case you should be ok,bear in mind though,as your caravan equipment increases,and maybe the size of your family,you may wish to upgrade to a larger van,then you will need to take the B+E test.