Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 11 February 2008, 16:33:41
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me being a stuuuuudent bum, that actually works in London. But only 23, whats the laws on me towing stuff?
I think i took my test too late to have towing rights on it, how much does it cost to take the test for towing things?
Where can i go to take the test?
Anybody had any experiance?
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found some info:
http://www.learners.co.uk/towing/towing-txt0.htm
I am limited to 3.5 ton combined weight, question is at £90 for a test which is the same as HGV, i could take a gamble and take a HGV test! ;D
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You're also limited to a trailer of up to only 750Kg MAM, IIRC.
Kevin
(thankful of his 1987 driving license although it makes him an old F@rt)
Edited to say: Not sure an HGV test would give you entitlement to tow in class B+E or whatever. Tests are normally for a specific entitlement.
Depends what you have in mind towing, TBH.
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I didn't realise there was any law about who can tow :o
I know cars can only tow certain weights.
Like the towed home they say you should only tow 85% of the weight of the car, but you can tow 100% apparently but if you do that it could be like "The Tail wagging the Dog!" :-?
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i ask DVLA the same question here is the copy of the email i recieved back. Hope this Helps
Subject: RE: Towing under new licence categories
Thank you for your email about towing trailers.
Please find below information you require, if you are a holder of a Category B licence.
I should start by explaining, if you are a holder of a category B licence you are able to tow the following combinations:
If your car weighs less then 3.5 tonnes MAM you are able to drive a combination weight of 3.5 tonnes (i.e. car of 2.5 tonnes and a trailer of 1 tonne). In this instance the laden weight of the trailer must not exceed the weight of the towing vehicle.
If your car weights exactly 3.5 tonnes MAM you are able to tow a small trailer of 750kgs.
If you would like to tow a larger trailer you will need to contact the Driving Standards Agency with a view of booking a test for category B+E. Their contact details are given below.
Tel Numbers: 0870 0101 372 or 0115 901 2500
Enquiries - customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Test bookings - bookings.dsa@prima.net
Website address - www.driving-tests.co.uk
Please note, if you are a holder of a full car licence you will automatically have provisional entitlement for category B+E.
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Hmm. That's as clear as mud. Ruddy DVLA. So, if your car has a MAM of 3495kg you can only tow 5 kg but if it's 3500Kg you can tow 750kg?
I had a feeling it was more restrictive than this because it has been a problem for a lot of younger glider pilots I know who want to tow aircraft in trailers.
I forget what the MAM of an Omega is now. :-/
Kevin
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If you can bring yourself to look, the answer to your question is here. :y :y :y
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=20&TopicID=124274&PagePosition=1
Yes, it is a caravan forum. ;D ;D ;D
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You're also limited to a trailer of up to only 750Kg MAM, IIRC.
Kevin
(thankful of his 1987 driving license although it makes him an old F@rt)
Edited to say: Not sure an HGV test would give you entitlement to tow in class B+E or whatever. Tests are normally for a specific entitlement.
Depends what you have in mind towing, TBH.
If that makes you an old f@rt then God help the rest of us. :D :D :D
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The way I see it (been 20) is that I can tow upto 750kg with the omega ... So I went and bought a trailer :)
Im 99% sure that I dont need to do anything else :y
I read somewhere the other day that a car NEEDS to have a light on the dashboard telling the driver that his trailer lights are working :-? Is this true?
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this is clear... not! ;D
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I read somewhere the other day that a car NEEDS to have a light on the dashboard telling the driver that his trailer lights are working :-? Is this true?
Where'd do read that? Wickipedia? ;) You need some kind of indication that your trailer indicators are flashing. You can either have an annoying buzzer some where, usually in the boot, or fit a 4 pin flasher unit & put the tell tale lamp in the dash panel. :y
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You're also limited to a trailer of up to only 750Kg MAM, IIRC.
Kevin
(thankful of his 1987 driving license although it makes him an old F@rt)
Edited to say: Not sure an HGV test would give you entitlement to tow in class B+E or whatever. Tests are normally for a specific entitlement.
Depends what you have in mind towing, TBH.
Your license is a good ten yaers younger than mine... so what does this make me? :-?
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You're also limited to a trailer of up to only 750Kg MAM, IIRC.
Kevin
(thankful of his 1987 driving license although it makes him an old F@rt)
Edited to say: Not sure an HGV test would give you entitlement to tow in class B+E or whatever. Tests are normally for a specific entitlement.
Depends what you have in mind towing, TBH.
Your license is a good ten yaers younger than mine... so what does this make me? :-?
An early developer? :-/
;)
Kevin
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The way I see it (been 20) is that I can tow upto 750kg with the omega ... So I went and bought a trailer :)
Im 99% sure that I dont need to do anything else :y
I read somewhere the other day that a car NEEDS to have a light on the dashboard telling the driver that his trailer lights are working :-? Is this true?
As far as know when you have a trailer on the back, when the indicators are turned on a picture of a trailer or towbar lights up too...
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The way I see it (been 20) is that I can tow upto 750kg with the omega ... So I went and bought a trailer :)
Im 99% sure that I dont need to do anything else :y
I read somewhere the other day that a car NEEDS to have a light on the dashboard telling the driver that his trailer lights are working :-? Is this true?
You need either or optionally both, an audible or visual indication that the indicators are operating in sync with your car indicators... I'll advise audible... if the bulb fails on the trailer, it don't beep!
That is the law, it's not MOTable, the only time I've ever seen it checked, is by the ministry on a motorway service station spot check. Do fit one though, it's a peace of mind thing :y
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You need either or optionally both, an audible or visual indication that the indicators are operating in sync with your car indicators... I'll advise audible... if the bulb fails on the trailer, it don't beep! .......
That's what I said! Although I'd suggest using the lamp on the dash rather than the buzzer!
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[slightly off-topic ....] :)
Having just had the towbar/13 pin electrics fitted, including the "Flash Guard" (?) module as advised by AndyC, all the van electrics now work as advertised BUT the dash tow warning doesn't work - elsewhere is mentioned a relay to go somewhere behind the glove box ??? and the "Park Pilot" reversing sensors don't shut up when van plugged in...
Any one any ideas on either ???
[/end slightly of topic ... ] :)
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Any one any ideas on either ???
Possibly...
The relay behind the glove box is a current sensor designed to display a warning of brake bulb failure on the MID in relation to the trailer brake lights. I assumbe this has been bypassed or the brake lights wired to the rear light clusters so probably not worth worrying about.
The trailer indicator light aparently requires a new indicator flasher module and the light bulb fitting in the in strument panel. You'll possibly need to bypass the indicator relay with audible warning to make it work.
The park pilot requires a connection either side of the trailer hitch fog lamp switch to detect when towing. If you're keen on doing this I'll look up the pin numbers and wire colours involved.
Kevin
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Kevin .. thanks :)
The bulb failure/MID thing "appears" to be done by the "flash guard" unit that I bought, as without it I don't get a correct brake light test on start, with it I do. It also seems to monitor the van brake/side lights
The replacement flasher unit/bulb I'll look into.
I would appreciate the info on the "park pilot" when/if you get the chance.
Your help much appreciated :y :y
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OK. From what I can see pin 9 of the park pilot (violet/white) should go to the feed from the fog lamp switch to the trailer socket. Pin 14 (violet) should go to the feed from the trailer socket to the car's fog lamps (after the switch in the towing hitch socket). I believe the park pilot detects when this switch is open and disables the warning. In addition, the wire link between pins 12 and 26 (grey) appears to be disconnected if a trailer hitch is fitted and connected if not.
All pin numbers refer to the 28 pin connector on the park pilot.
I haven't tried any of this. It's just what I have deduced from the wiring diagrams.
Kevin
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Thanks .. I'll have a play tomorrow night !! :)
anything to stop that damned noise whilst reversing with the van on !!! :)
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Thanks .. I'll have a play tomorrow night !! :)
anything to stop that damned noise whilst reversing with the van on !!! :)
I have aftermarket sensors - I just ignore them
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Thanks .. I'll have a play tomorrow night !! :)
anything to stop that damned noise whilst reversing with the van on !!! :)
You could always fit a 'Master Switch' to turn them off when towing.