accidents while towing trailers

[criefftony]

My employer, Perth and Kinross council is currently reviewing the practice of towing trailers behind minibusses. Can anyone out there provide me with any factual information on accidents or near misses involving minibusses and trailers (particularly canoe trailers) as this would greatly inform the debate. I know you are all busy but I want to gather as much information as possible so that we make the right decision.

PS... please respond via this board in the first instance

Thanks

Tony McClelland
Outdoor Education
Perth High School

[MikeB]

Hi Tony - I've had a big 4 wheel box trailer come off a Landy - but that was down to the hitch not having been properly connected! Fortunatley, it happened at very low speed in a car-park so all that happened was the thing ran into the back of the Landy when I braked.

The only other incident I can report is of having a lightweight canoe trailer go sideyways coming thro the bends at Stanley - down to excessive speed! It came nicely back into line after the bend.

It's also worth checking tyres - trailers tend not to wear their tyres due to relative lack of miles, but the tyres do deteriorate due to age and uv. Sidewalls crack.

Other than the two incidents above, I've towed trailers for thousands of miles without incident. The only "nasty" incidents I've been aware of have involved caravans, in all cases down to defective tyres and/or too much or too little nose-weight causing snaking.

Mike.

[Ed Lefley]

Trailers need to be serviced at least every 6 months... depending on use.

If there are concerns about driving with trailers, then there are DVLA testst that can be undertaken.

Currently if you passed your driving test prior to 1997 you can tow any trailer as long as it does not execeed the maximum permissable weight behind your car.
With a minibus (in the UK) as long as it is not for hire or reward you are able to tow any weight trailer.

If you passed your test after 1st Jan 1997 (ie all those like me under 25) then behind a car you can tow upto a train weight of 3500kg, or a max trailer weight of 750kg, or the maximum amount that your car can tow. to get round this you will need to pass the B + E test

With the minibus you have to pass the D1 driving test, and that will limit you to a maximum weight of 750kg for the trailer, unless you also take the D1 + E

In some of the truck magazines there are bits on tachograph rules, and when the train weight is over 3500kg you are supposed to use a tacho.

I think that is all correct, but have a chat with a driving school that specialises in large vehicles.

Last thing with the trailers make sure that all the boats are attached securely and that boats are NOT loaded with equipment at the top of the trailer. also be aware of the weight that your trailer is able to carry, and how heavy all your kit is.

With trailer tyres, make sure that they are with the correct weight capacity, if need be make sure that they are the reinforced tyres for trailers / vans, rather than the std car tyres.

[Steve B]

I used to tow a 15-kayak trailer behind a minibus quite regularly. Easier than towing with a car, definitely. Reversing is as easy as it gets - the trailer reacts slowly and progressively due to the wheels being further back than a smaller trailer, and visiblity is pretty good because you can see between the boats as well as around. I used to reverse the trailer into our shed, from an angled approach, with about three inches clearance either side and a small ramp right on the doorway. I won't say it was easy but it showed what could be done.

But all told it is a big vehicle and some people adapt better than others. I would certainly advocate doing a training course of some kind. I did a minibus course provided by the county council; the trailer skills I had to work out for myself.