Car towing on a trailer behind my "C" class Forums

yankee

Put your legal heads on and tell me
I want to build a small car to take to shows so that I have transport when I am on the site, the car in mind is a Mini automatic with a few body modifications, because it is automatic I cannot use an "A" frame or towing bar so I will have to use a trailer, so the questions are:-
1. Will the trailer need to have brakes?
2. Does the trailer need to have two axles?
3. Do I have to insure the trailer, or will the car be covered by its own insurance if any thing should happen.
I will be pulling the trailer with my Dodge 23 foot "C" class camper so I know I will not have a problem with the weight and I have experience of towing a large caravan with my Dodge dayvan in the past. I would appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks Mick.

Moandick

Simple answer

Yes the trailer will need brakes - it will probably weigh over ¾ ton when loaded.

No, it will not necessarily need two axles - depends on how heavy the car is and how long the car is.

Yes, you will need third party insurance, at least for the trailer - and be very careful as the car may not be insured when it is on the trailer (except by it's own insurance)

And what is even more gloomy - if you haven't got a grand-daddy licence, you may need to take an E licence to add to your B or C1 licence.

Dick

yankee

Hi Dick, thanks a lot for your information. I suppose I am lucky to be old because it means that I do have grand-pappy rights on my licence. I will have to check my insurance for the trailered Mini and after what you have said I had better price up the cost of insuring the trailer, thanks for your help, Mick.

GEOFFs125

Hi Mick

If possible try and get a double axle trailer, they are a lot more stable. I have towed both types and would not go back to a single axle trailer.

Geoff

olley · Campsite DB Admin

Hi never found stability to be a problem with my single axle BJ trailer, and its easier to push around by hand when its unloaded than a twin. I said easier not easy, there both sods on rough ground.

Olley

doc_cam

Our single axle Brian James tows splendidly and is absolutely stable. It is much easier to move when not on the van, but it all depends on the size of your car I guess and personal preference.

Laurie

tco

You might find that the third party issues for the trailer are covered by you MH insurance.

yankee

[color=red]Well! thanks everybody for your input.[/color] The problem now is because of all the experiences by different people I have to decide which type of axle I require?. It appears that I have to decide whether I want a good steady twin axle trailer to tow, or a single axle trailer that I can manouver easily when I am manhandling it on site. Can anyone claim that one type is more suitable than the other, as I suppose there will be no difference in the cost of the insurance, although I will take the advice given and check with my MH insurance first and see if the trailer is covered by it. Thanks again for the very useful advice. [color=red]Keep your pedal to the metal, and watch for the Smokeys. Mick[/color]

falken

I'm not sure I understand why people are having difficulty moving a twin axle trailer. Reversing it behind the motorhome is fine and if I need to move it by hand I crank up the dolly wheel until the front wheels are off the ground. Hey presto, single axle trailer!

Regards
Doug

GEOFFs125

Have to agree with Doug.

Using the jockey wheel makes moving the trailer a piece of cake.