[Mike Halliday]

have I been told correctly, that to tow a trailer behind my van I will need a tachograph fitting?

I had a towbar fitted to my van so I can tow my bowserwasher, but if this is true I've wasted my money

[Mike Halliday]

found the answer!!! but what a search it was :

Drivers are also exempt from the EC drivers' hours and tachograph rules when engaged in the following transport operations in the UK:

Vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of not more than 7.5 tonnes carrying material or equipment for the driver's use in the course of his work within a 50 kilometre radius of the place where the vehicle is normally based, provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the driver's main activity

so if I don't go over 50k from home I'm safe, look like my plans for  national domination will have to be shelved

but I have seen some big trailers for sale with truckmounts fitted perhaps this is the real reason they are being sold the can't be used more than 50km form home so no good for anyone doing national work. same goes for that big trailer mounted pressure washer for sale in the 'for sale' section.

[jasonl]

I had this problem with trailer mounted dehumidifiers.

If the gross train weight (  total kg of van and trailer) exceeds 3500kg , you have to have a tacho fitted, this caused massive problems as the Nissan Navara pick ups we ran at the time did not have the necessary socket fitted in the gearbox.

There are exemptions though , the main ones are,,

 domestic use/not for hire or reward.. lets caravanners off the hook..

Showmen, fairgrounds etc..

This is the clever bit ,,emergency water supplies , we used this as we were  carrying out emergency drying, only got called on it once , the traffic cop called his sergeant who could not be bothered with the hassle, I kept records of the incident, to save problems in case we ever had an incident and we had any more tacho bother.  

Having recently run trucks , tachos are hassle , and expensive to maintain and administer, avoid if possible.

[Glynn]

I think it depemds on when you passed your test, I know that young drivers are now different i.e.less inclusions on their license.
Look at the driver group codes on your license and then go online and see exactly what they mean.

[Andrew Briscoe]

Glynn is correct, you need to pass a seperate test now to tow a trailer.
There is a cut of age, depending when you passed test. its for people round about 30 give or take a year or two.
My best mate is a trainer and is qualified to put you thru a test.

[Buster Ingram]

I believe it was pre 1997 and anyone after has to take another test.

[robert stubbs]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521

[robert stubbs]

I'm let off the hook as I tow a Caravan with my van.

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[murky]

Obvious isnt it!!!!!!!!!!

Put the water bowser in your caravan, or fill the 'van with water and tow it round.

Shimples.

Murky