B+E Towing with a trailer test - Re-coupling/Uncoupling 2021

Full commentary from Neil Emmerson (ADI) at www.linksdrivingschool.co.uk for the DVSA B+E Towing with a trailer test.
Common serious faults -
1) not giving the trailer a push to check the handbrake is working once disconnected from the tow-ball and before removing brake away cable
2) not checking handbrake first before doing trailer inspection before reconnecting to vehicle
3) not carrying out the tug test once connected to your vehicle to establish connection has taken place.
4) not asking examiner to check your brake lights are working before driving off.

[@JoeWrigley]

Thanks for sharing this information freely. I am about to have some training prior to taking the test and want to minimise how much I have to spend by being as prepared as I can be. Clearly explained and really useful.

[@neilemmerson2830]

Joe. Thank you for your positive comments and I wish you good luck in your test.

[@cumulusrider]

Check the indicators individually, not with the hazards. Yes I have come across a trailer with the connections crossed. It wont show up if you use the hazards. Running the breakaway cable over th top of the hitch will not give a straight pull on the handbrake if the trailer comes off thus not activating it.

[@jamesmartin7782]

Thank you, very helpful and straight to the point 👍

[@neilemmerson2830]

James Martin Glad it helped.😃

[@ryanord0902]

found this really helpful, thankyou

[@neilemmerson2830]

Thank you for the feedback and good luck in your test

[@neilemmerson2830]

Hello Mike if the towbar comes into contact with the hitch then it is a serious fault. You can stop, get out of your vehicle and look as many times as you wish to get within a position to attach the breakaway cable. Hope this helps.

[@nathant3347]

Thanks for the video

[@Ravenstar-wd2qy]

Got my training starting soon perfect introduction from this video thanks .Cannot wait for caravan times to begin

[@neilemmerson2830]

Glad that it may benefit you in some way. Good luck

[@SLfamily1]

Thanks good men

[@micklee345]

Good video, very clear instructions , im an ADI with c +e im just about to start giving instruction on b+e and this as been really useful for me thank you

[@neilemmerson2830]

Thank you. Always welcome feedback.

[@neilemmerson2830]

o hope it helped Nathan

[@JayG2K]

What trailer do you get tested with can it be a standard flat bed trailer or does it need to be a box one. Also will it make a difference if its a single or double axle as well. Thanks

[@neilemmerson2830]

Hi Trailer must be covered and plated to a minimum of 1000kgs and have either 600kgs of sand, aggregates etc or 600litres of water. Click on this link for more information www.gov.uk/car-trailer-driving-test/trailer-rules

[@neilemmerson2830]

Check my video to help you pass your B+e towing trailer test - uncoupling and recoupling demonstration.

[@carldurrant9649]

Is it acceptable to leave the engine running and step out of the vehicle? On my car test the examiner would not allow me to do this (to get the air con on on a hot day) as I 'would not be in full control of the vehicle'

[@neilemmerson2830]

Thank you for your query. When you recouple the car to the trailer the engine must be switched off. Serious fault if you do not. When reversing your car back into position to recouple you can leave the engine running in order to check distance from said trailer to attach the brakeaway cable. Hope this answers your question.

[@NectarineSoup]

Why must you turn the jockey wheel in the opposite direction to raise the back of the vehicle then back again?

[@neilemmerson2830]

Billie Fingers This is to demonstrate that the hitch has connected to the towball. Fail to do this on yr test and it is classed as a serious fault and FAIL.

[@mikepearce9676]

what hapens if you hit the trailer with the tow bar? do u fail? it sounds hard to judge 50cm

[@calumaitchison]

you would probably fail. Manual handling too. you wouldnt push the trailer over the hitch in real life this is supposed to be trailers more than 750kg, examiner should act as your mate and guide onto it.

[@gt1749v]

When uncoupling the trailer from the vehicle it's still attached and the vehicle handbrake is on. When you apply the trailer handbrake you say to check that the brake is actually on? How the handbrake from to vehicle is on holding the trailer. Thanks

[@neilemmerson2830]

when you uncouple the trailer from the vehicle the handbrake is set and should therefore hold the trailer in place when you release the brake away cable. Before taking off the brake away cable their is no harm in giving the trailer a push to ensure no movement takes place. I hope this answers your question. Thank you

[@tonyjohnston3454]

I am doing my training now and the van I'm using has a metal plate by the towbar and my instructor has said that it's ok for a gentle tap against it when backing up to the trailer ???

[@neilemmerson2830]

Tony Johnston Hello. It is a serious fault if you touch the hitch and towball as I have had a client do that and the examiner failed them. You reverse to a point where you can connect the brake away cable and then pull the trailer over the towball before winding down to get the connection. Hope this helps?

[@willcox44]

That was what my instructor said and I did that in my test and it was ok

[@blank-dr2kx]

@@neilemmerson2830 it's rather difficult to reverse so close without knowing the exact distance away, can you fail for being too far away or can they allow you to reverse upto a certain point, safely stop the vehicle, exit vehicle and check the distance and return to vehicle to continue the reverse? Surely this is more a real life scenario

[@neilemmerson2830]

@@blank-dr2kx hi..when you reverse back you can stop get out have a look as many times as you like. Just move backwards in small steps get out and assess. You can even drive forward if you are not in line with towbar and hitch.You only need to get positioned so you can attach the brake away cable. Normally about a foot away is ideal. Just do not reverse into the hitch!

[@SeanOfEarth]

Is it fine not checking that the indicators are the correct way round?

[@neilemmerson2830]

Sean Thompson hello Sean. Sorry for delay in replying. Not sure what you mean by indicators the wrong way round.

[@SeanOfEarth]

Neil Emmerson in the video, there was no check to see if indicating left displayed as left, or visa versa.

[@neilemmerson2830]

Sean Thompson Thanks for clarifying your point. The requirement is to just put on the hazard lights as this would indicate a defective bulb. If you wish to check just the left and then the right then that is acceptable. Hope this answers your question.

[@floriskuipers4925]

Here in the Netherlands we do have to check them separately (with the brake applied to check that the brake lights don't flash with the indicators)

[@mattmilford]

Seems that they don't care about earthing problems in the UK.

[@jayropxy8223]

Thanks a lot. Please do more videos on driving in the city.

[@neilemmerson2830]

Jay Ropxy... If you require more info re towing tests then email me at [e-mail].

[@gcfcos]

Do they really get you to run your hands round the tyres? Be great when there's cords hanging out and you rip your hands to pieces 😭

[@neilemmerson2830]

British-mechanic There is no requirement to touch the tyres just to carry out a visual check to see if their are nails in the rubber and for any cuts and bulges on the tyre wall. Hope this answers your query. Thanks

[@neilemmerson2830]

the trailer only needs to be pushed once disconnected from the towbar as per dvsa requirements

[@NectarineSoup]

Neil Emmerson if you're not physically strong enough to pull the trailer forward is that a fail? (I would usually have assistance with a full load on site)

[@neilemmerson2830]

Billie Fingers hello. You must for the purpose of the test be able to manoeuvre the trailer over the towball as you cannot hit the trailer when reversing your vehicle up to it. The distance from your vehicle to the trailer needs to be so you attach the brake away cable. In reality if their are other people with you then that can give you assistance. On the trailer test you are working solo.

[@calumaitchison]

that pick up has rear camera as standard, can you not use that as thats real life if your solo. or if not got that reverse so far and check and adjust. load of crap pushing a trailer that size yourself but thats what im going to have to do for my trailer test soon

[@neilemmerson2830]

you can use whatever device is fitted to your vehicle to assist in the test i.e. rear camera to reverse backwards to trailer itself.

[@Richard-ze6dy]

No safety chains?

[@neilemmerson2830]

Richard. Thank you for your enquiry. The brake away cable is I am assuming your reference to safety chain? The brake away cable is the last thing to disconnect on uncoupling the trailer from your vehicle and the first thing to connect when re coupling to your vehicle.

[@floriskuipers4925]

In Europe we use a break away cable that applies the trailers hand brake (trailers here usually have mechanical instead of electrical brakes) should the trailer become disconnected instead of the chains used in the US

[@jayropxy8223]

@@neilemmerson2830 please more videos. I am having test soon.will like to the know parts kn a trailer and their names.great job guys great job

[@caravantrailers4264]

No safety chains, or secondary coupling on any trailer GVW over 750kg. Fitting one to a braked trailer will not allow the safety cable to engage the brakes in event of a decouple

[@nightcaller9218]

what qualification do you need to teach the trailer towing course ? just confused because your not teaching the person to drive a car ??..

[@neilemmerson2830]

Thank you for the question. You need to have the driving qualification or category on your own drivers licence. I cannot teach LGV as not on my licence. You do not need to be a qualified driving instructor either. Hope this helps.

[@nightcaller9218]

Neil Emmerson thanks for that Neil. So how do you know how to get them test ready ??? Like all the checks etc. like the reversing side of the test ?

[@neilemmerson2830]

@@nightcaller9218 Obviously being a driving instructor can help as it is no different to teaching a learner driver out on the road. In relation to the reversing and uncoupling routines I used the Gov.UK site and was given a booklet - How to Pass a B+E towing test - from the towing company I work in partnership with.

[@nightcaller9218]

Neil Emmerson sorry for all questions pal. I’m a hgv driver i drive cat c and c + e. Was thinking about getting into this and didn’t know what I needed to do. and if I was qualified to teach.

[@neilemmerson2830]

@@nightcaller9218 Cat C+E will cover you to coach clients in B+E. Have a look at your drivers licence which will confirm this.Send me an email and I will send you scanned copies of B+E requirements.

[@TheLewmen]

Got a caravan going to be towing it with out a B+E because the total weight of car and caravan wouldn't exceed 3500kg crazy rules but hey DVSA know best

[@richardmoyes4409]

You should never run your hands over tyres like he did unless you don’t mind potentially slicing your fingers open!

[@neilemmerson2830]

Richard Agreed and I have responded in a previous message. Thank you for your feedback though.

[@richardmoyes4409]

Neil Emmerson I am currently looking at doing my licence upgrade hence looking at some videos to get a little more context. Noticed also that you had a DBC sticker on the back. I am from hemel. 👍🏼

[@neilemmerson2830]

Contact me by email for more info or training

[@CononBarrett]

OTT mate, do this on a HGV test, you’ll piss the examiner right off!

[@neilemmerson2830]

This is required to get the pass certificate Connor so you would not piss the examiner off. It’s called playing the game. You miss out any of these checks and you FAIL!!

[@blank-dr2kx]

Reversing upto 50cm is very difficult 😕

[@neilemmerson2830]

Take your time and just get in a position to attach the cable. Don't worry about 50cm..lol

[@steveh9089]

50 cm is 500mm, that was more like 70 mm

[@RussianSpaceman]

as a mechanic and someone who tows a recovery transporter i find this hilarious, and the comments 'thank's that was brill!' really makes you think weather population is brain dead or almost there

[@neilemmerson2830]

Shame you cannot spell words properly Anton!! If the video is useful to one person then that's good enough for me.

[@mrc7966]

As a fluent English speaker and somebody who went to primary school, I find the illiteracy of your comment hilarious. Starting sentences without capital letters, using a comma before "and", not to mention the fact that you don't know the difference between "weather" and "whether". It really makes me wonder why you'd be so quick to call other people brain dead, when your own communication capabilities are bellow the standard required to pass the SATS exam taken by all eleven year olds. Perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to judge other peoples intelligence.

[@sixdegreesofcrispybacon]

@@mrc7966 Though I basically agree with the sentiment, the comma before "and" should, indeed, be used when joining two independent clauses. Back to school for you. ;-)

[@Poetry4Peace]

I was just curious when looking at my test sheet lmao. So I'm here 🤷 0:52 sees woman touches everything lul.

[@neilemmerson2830]

?

[@chrismiller8384]

Some of this advice is wrong

[@neilemmerson2830]

how can you leave a stupid comment like that without expanding.

[@StormTrouper3]

Some bits are a bit ott but not wrong imho , but if it helps pass it's worth doing.

[@lenniecapuano521]

and these are paid to teach u common sense

[@neilemmerson2830]

Common sense, yes, but that was not how the test was conducted, unfortunately. Thx for the comment.

[@adammartin5701]

What a load of rubbish, anything to make a £1 or £500, what's next, adjust your sun visor, wing mirrors and rear view mirror ticket, I'd like to meet one person that actually checks their trailer by rubbing their hands all over it every morning and checks the tightness of wheel nuts with their fingers I guess none of the assessors have heard of torque indicators or eyes lol

[@neilemmerson2830]

Its called getting through the TEST Adam. We all know the realities but this is the DVSA we are dealing with. You play the game for the duration of the test. If you cannot add sensible comment then do not bother in the first place.

[@sg1589]

Totally agree load of shite money scam