Vehicle maintenance with Get Towing… Essex Trailer Training, before it’s too late!!
The winter season is upon us and the chances are you’ve not checked your trailer towing vehicle’s tyre pressures or fluid levels since, well, ever!! 😉
Let’s face it, you’ve always got something better to do than crawl around your ‘steed’ making sure it’s not about to expire in a cloud of steam.
But neglect your vehicle and hassle is guaranteed, because like any machine, your car wears out. It needs new parts, adjustments to be made, and preventative maintenance that’ll stop small issues becoming big ones.
If you wait until something goes wrong before you open your wallet though, the chances are something will fail catastrophically sooner or later. This will be when the repair bills will be astronomical and you could also end up putting your life in danger because something lets go when you’re driving at speed.
When the AA polled 21,510 drivers, it found that 8% of them don’t service their vehicle at all! while 12% have delayed or missed a service. According to the breakdown organisation, apparently, drivers in Wales and South-west England are the most likely to skip or delay servicing 😩 while those in Northern Ireland are the best at keeping their car serviced 😇
The problem for many car owners is that they feel modern cars are so complex, that even the smallest task has to be performed by a qualified mechanic. As a result, with garage costs so high, maintenance is put on the back burner – and that can be disastrous. But there are all sorts of things you can do to reduce the risk of a breakdown, including these:
Car Maintenance : Coolant
Your engine and radiator are filled with coolant to stop it overheating. Coolant is a mixture of water and anti-freeze, the latter preventing it from turning to ice in the winter. If your coolant needs to be topped up, don’t just add water; add anti-freeze so the coolant doesn’t become too dilute. However, the cooling system shouldn’t need to be topped up as it’s sealed. If the level drops, get it checked for leaks.
Car Maintenance: Brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs water over time, making it more compressible, leading to a spongy pedal. There’s also a danger of the fluid boiling as it becomes more dilute, which is why it must be replaced every two or three years. Check the level regularly to ensure the level isn’t dropping, suggesting leaks in the system. The brake fluid reservoir is mounted under the bonnet, below the windscreen on the driver’s side. Don’t remove the cap as the fluid absorbs water from the atmosphere; just rock the reservoir gently so you can see the fluid move. It shouldn’t be below the minimum mark.
Car Maintenance : Lights
Lights aren’t there just to see – they also help other road users see you, and to help you communicate with them. If one of your brake lights fails, or a headlamp, it takes just one more bulb failure and you could be invisible at night, so regularly check that everything is working. Put the gearbox in neutral, check the handbrake is on, switch on the ignition, then the headlights. Check the headlights and rear lights work, including the main beam. Do the same for the indicators. Brake and reversing lights are trickier but you can check both by reversing towards a wall and looking for the reflection.
Car Maintenance: Oil level
Run your car without oil and the engine will soon die. That’s why you need to check the level before the warning light illuminates on the dash – not after. Here’s how:
Park your car on level ground and switch off the engine.
Open the bonnet and leave the car for five minutes, for the oil to settle.
Pull on the loop of the dipstick and take it all the way out.
With a clean rag, wipe the oil off the dipstick.
Put the dipstick back in the engine, pushing it all the way in.
Pull the dipstick back out; towards the bottom end will be two markings. The oil level should be somewhere between these; if there’s no oil showing at all, the engine is dry and it’ll soon be wrecked.
If the oil on the dipstick is below the line marked ADD, put in a small amount of oil.
Add oil by unscrewing the oil filler cap, on top of the engine.
Using the correct type of oil (check the handbook), top up the level.
Check the level again and add more if necessary; don’t add too much oil as removing oil is much harder than adding it.
Put the oil filler cap back on and make sure it’s tight.
Make sure the dipstick is back in place as well.
Save money: do more yourself
When you get your car serviced the biggest cost is usually for the labour – and there’ll be a mark up on the parts too. But you could go to your local motor factor and buy the parts more cheaply, then do at least some the work yourself – potentially saving hundreds in the process.
We’re not suggesting that you rebuild your car’s engine or gearbox, but there are lots of things you can do yourself to minimise the chances of your car breaking down – and by doing these things yourself you’ll save hundreds. Dig out your car’s handbook, buy a workshop manual or check out some of the numerous podcasts and online videos that are available.
Above are some of the simple things you can do yourself, but if you want to go further, sign up to some evening classes to learn how your car works. That way you can tackle some more ambitious jobs like changing the brake pads or brake fluid, or maybe even swapping the cam belt – this latter job can easily cost £500, even though the parts are rarely more than £50. If there was a way of shaving 90% off the cost of any other necessary expenditure, you’d be mad not to look a bit more closely. Wouldn’t you??
safe towing!
Get Towing… from only £399, inc test fee, trailer licence training courses ‘near me’
Did you know that if you have passed your driving test after 1st January 1997, New Licence regulations are applicable please follow the above link to check whether you are towing legally.
If you have been Towing Trailers, Caravans, Boats, Horse-Boxes, Generators, Cars, Diggers etc and you do NOT have the correct entitlement (Category B+E) to tow what you are towing on your licence, you are running the risk of:
3 points for ‘no category’
Up to 6 points for ‘no insurance’
There could also be a fine of £400+
As an employer or employing an individual that tows for business purposes, that is doing so legally or illegally, you can also be held liable for their actions under the corporate manslaughter act
You could be;
Issued with a large fine
Criminally charged with Negligence if Training cannot be proven
Get Towing can and will help you to Tow with confidence. We will ensure that you have the ability to Tow in the hardest of circumstances. Our towing lessons are comprehensive, carried out on a One to One basis, and we will get you to test standard for the Towing Test (B+E if required).
Our Trailer Towing courses/lessons are second to none, we cover all of the basic’s’ starting with the legislation surrounding Towing, hitching and loading your Trailer, Horsebox, Caravan or Boat, Reversing, and ensuring your vehicle/ trailers safe handling. We want to ensure that you are able to get safely to your destination.
get Towing trailer training has a different approach to trailer teaching in comparison to other Towing schools and we have several different methods and aids to help you, hopefully, pass first time. We will aim to enable you to achieve your pass in the quickest time available. However, we are paramount to teaching you to Tow safely for you, your load, and the other road users. You may not be covered on insurance if you unfortunately had an accident whilst Towing!
We offer a bespoke service on all our towing courses. We have a choice of courses that are run on a one day, 6 hour, or 12 hour two day course basis.
one day 6 hr course =£399
two day 12 hr course = £599
(Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that the chosen course will be sufficient, as people learn trailer towing at different rates, you can rest assured that we will work with you and do our best to achieve a trailer licence together in the quickest possible time).
We run the courses in our own Ford Ranger and test prepared trailer.Due to changes in the B+E test all trailers presented for test have to carry a set weight (currently 600kg) to show a real mass is in place, our trailer complies with the new regulations.
good luck!!
Oil – The life blood of your trailer pulling vehicle
Your car/truck/van engine is a big chunk of metal, inside which are numerous other metal parts that move about very close to each other and potentially crash together!
Here’s a look at the basic ways oil protects your engine, as well as the fascinating sciences involved in ensuring your engine doesn’t go bang!
1. What exactly does engine oil do?
There are a few reasons why it’s important you keep your car’s engine topped up with oil. First and foremost, it provides lubrication to all the moving metal parts, ensuring they don’t grind together and cause unnecessary wear or too much heat. Oil also holds all of the nasty by-products of combustion. In the long run keeping your oil level topped up will save you cash on repairs, and will even give a very small improvement to your fuel economy, as the engine won’t be working quite so hard.
Over time, your engine will pick up dirty deposits, meaning it won’t last forever. If you’re wondering how often you should change your oil, check your car’s manual. It’ll probably be somewhere in the region of every 10,000 miles for a modern car…
Please ignore the 5000 mile myth!
You do not need to change your oil, on your trailer Towing vehicle, any more often than that.
2. What does that numerical rating actually mean?
Engine oils are rated in two ways: cold viscosity and hot viscosity. This rating will be displayed on the bottle, and gives you an idea how well it’ll respond to cold startups – particularly important for people who live in colder climates – as well as its thickness at high temperatures.
The first number, which will be attached to the letter ‘W’ (which stands for ‘Winter’), is the cold rating. The lower the number, the lower the temperature it will work in – if the number is too high and you try to start your car in freezing temperatures, the oil might be too thick to get flowing, and your engine may not start.
The second number is the viscosity of the oil when tested at normal engine running temperatures, indicative of a running engine. The higher the number the thicker the oil. If you run your engine at high speeds or under heavy load, for example towing a trailer, you want a higher number. Your car’s manual will let you know what viscosity oil to use.
3. What’s the difference between synthetic and mineral oils?
A mineral oil is essentially the same as it was when it was pumped from the ground, whereas synthetic oils have been distilled and broken down to their base molecules. They can then be rebuilt, with molecules tailored to provide better protection. Mineral oils will be cheaper, but they’ll also have more impurities and will not provide such smooth lubrication.
4. Synthetic oil is more than just oil
The cool thing about fully synthetic oils is that clever scientists in laboratories can add to the oil’s makeup to provide better anti-wear, anti-oxidant and anti-corrosion properties. Once the base oil is in place, they’ll typically add zinc, phosphorous and sulphur molecules.
Cool stuff eh!!
Get Towing with a Trailer Training Course from £399 inc test fee
GET TOWING… QUALITY CAR AND TRAILER TRAINING IN SOUTHEND ON SEA AND ESSEX
The trailer training courses that we provide are some of the best in Essex and we’re proud to be the trailer licence company of choice for many in the local area.
At Get Towing Trailer Training, we provide high-quality car and trailer lessons, and you’re sure of an excellent service with our team.
Call us today to discover more.
one day courses at £399
two day courses at £599
three day courses at £799… all inc test fee
07956 321678
get-towing.co.uk
TRAILER TRAINING GUIDELINES
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
LICENCES HELD BEFORE
1 JANUARY 1997
If you passed your category B car test before 1 January 1997 you are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes.
This is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.
You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg. and a 7.5 ton vehicle also with a trailer.
LICENCES HELD FROM 1 JANUARY 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B licence, you can:
Drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg towing a trailer of up to 750kg.
Tow a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3500kg.
LICENCES ISSUED FROM 19 JANUARY 2013
From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
Small trailers weighing no more than 750kg.
Trailers weighing more than 750kg, where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer isn’t more than 3500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than3500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Good luck on your trailer training course and trailer licence test!! 😎
Get Towing trailer training says, “Give your vehicle a brake!” 😉 Advice on your vehicles’ braking system.
Signs Your Towing Vehicle needs it’s brakes repaired.
When it comes to safety in the car, the brake system is your best friend. It is important to know the signs of failing brakes so that you can have them repaired immediately in order to keep you and your passengers safe. Effective braking could be the difference between a serious accident and driving away without a scratch. Here are some common signs that your vehicle needs brake repair.
Brakes squeal when applied.
Your brakes are designed to squeal or screech to let you know that the pads are getting low. This involves a small mechanism that creates the shrill noise, which stops when the brakes are applied. This is often the first sign of brake failure Be sure to get your car to a local car repair shop right away to get the problem fixed before it turns into a larger issue.
Car vibrates when the brakes are applied.
If you start to feel shaking, vibrating or other odd motions abnormal for the car when you apply the brakes there is a decent chance you have warped rotors, which is the part of the wheel where the brake pads grab to slow your vehicle. Warped rotors will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the brake system.
Grinding noise when braking.
When you apply the brakes and howling or grinding noise happens it is likely because you have no, or very little, brake pads left causing metal to grind on metal. If this is the case you will likely need to replace your rotors or drums along with the pads in order to restore the braking power of the system to its factory condition.
Brake pedal is soft and/or spongy!
If a brake pedal has lots of “give,” meaning when you push on it it takes more distance to push it for you to feel a response then when your brakes are new, it’s probable that your car’s brake pads are worn down. However it could also be a more serious issue with the brake system, such as low brake fluid or air in the brake lines.
Car ‘pulls’ to one side when braking.
If you hit the brakes and your car swerves to one side of the road or the other it likely means there is something wrong with the brake system. Usual culprits include a collapsed brake hose, sticking or leaking brake calliper, uneven wear on the brake pads or impurities or air in the brake fluid. It is important to get the car to a mechanic right away to diagnose the cause and have it repaired.
Don’t delay fixing your brakes. As soon as you experience a symptom of failing brakes contact your local repair shop to schedule an appointment to have them fixed.
Good luck and safe towing!!
Some useful information on choosing a trailer licence course
Car and Trailer Training, Essex.
Get Towing trailer training offer car and trailer driver training courses for B+E Test and licence upgrade whether for an individual or businesses needing to gain car and trailer B+E qualifications.
Our instructors are Fully Qualified and Approved Driving Instructors with many years of experience and have a wealth of knowledge of safe driving techniques for towing and to coach you how to show respect and consideration for other road users.
We are here to help assist you to learn the necessary skills to keep you and your vehicle safe on the road.
Car and Trailer training Southend and Essex area
The government have new legislation for car drivers wanting to tow trailers or caravans was introduced in 1997, if you passed your test after 1997 you may might need to get a separate licence to tow trailers of a certain weight. Want to read more on the what the government says read it here…
Get Towing trailer driver training course are built to help you to get to grips with the principles of towing trailers safely.
Our courses include a one to one car and trailer course with an assessment, if necessary, and a range of driving exercises and reversing manoeuvres all carried out with our coaching and assistance.
We will then give you plenty of practical advice from our instructors. This course has been put together to increase understanding and we will improve your confidence towing a trailer.
Car and Trailer training in Essex B+E trailer training
The training for the trailer test is carried out to a high standard which does involve the trainee doing an on road driving test and independent driving session
Once the trailer training is completed, you will be accompanied by a DVSA trailer test examiner who will examine your driving and award you a b+e licence if you pass the trailer test.
We can offer fixed intensive trailer training courses using our vehicle and trailer starting with 6hrs and up to 18hrs;
6hrs = £399
12hrs = £599
18hrs = £799 (all inclusive with test fee)
If a customer chooses to use there own vehicle and/or trailer, for the training and trailer driving test, it is there own responsibility to ensure it is safe and legal for tuition and test purposes.
B+E test passed. Alif has upgraded his trailer licence and passed the trailer test!
Well done Alif you’ve passed your B+E trailer driving test at West Thurrock Driving Test Centre in Essex.
Alif met me at Get Towing trailer training head quarters in Southend-on-Sea in Essex where we carry out the trailer training courses and completed a 2 day intensive trailer training driving course and B+E driving test to gain his trailer licence.
He enquired for a ‘trailer licence and ‘B+E Trailer Test near me in Chelmsford or West Thurrock
The Examiner for the B+E driving test complemented him on a safe drive with only a few minors, a very good result as you don’t know the Chelmsford, West Thurrock, South Ockendon and Aveley areas of Essex that well.
The reversing exercise on the trailer test was completed with one minor faults after practicing it many times at our reversing site, before the trailer test really helped.
After that Alif had to carry out the un-couple and re-couple exercise, which scored no minors faults as again we practiced this many times as well.
His trailer licence should be back to his home address within 2 weeks as the examiner sent it off for him as his address on the drivers licence was the same as where he currently living.
The roundabouts in that part of Essex can be tricky, but Alif coped well on his trailer training course with the difficult junctions around the parts of Essex that we drove around.
Basildon and Chelmsford trailer training routes can be particularly challenging if you are not used to the layouts used to reading the road signs.
Basildon and Laindon are noted for their three lane approach roundabouts and unusual junctions particular difficult in a car and trailer.
We carry out these trailer training courses and trailer tests all over the Essex area at locations including; Basildon, Enfield, Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester…
Well done again Alif, work will be pleased and work will be easier now with the trailer
Do you need a trailer licence test… a Get Towing… Trailer Training Course can get you there!
Trailer Training and the trailer test with Get Towing…
If you obtained your driving licence after -1997, then you need to take the B+E test (Category B is a Car and E, a Trailer). We can help you pass the B+E test with one of our intensive courses. All people who want to tow trailers above the B licence limit. i.e. caravan owners, horse-box owners, boat owners etc. Please note, the law does not distinguish between a trailer and a caravan. If we say ‘trailer’, we mean both.
Fully supported tuition; we will look at safe, eco-friendly driving too
Assessment Lesson?
If you already have some experience, why not book an assessment first? Our expert Instructor will help ensure you choose the right course for your level of experience.
1 Day Experienced Driver Course
cost £399
The one-day Trailer Training course is aimed at drivers with significant towing experience and just need guidance in relation to the trailer test. You will cover all the exercises and roadwork skills required to pass the B+E car and trailer test and earn a trailer licence. We will always seek to find out how much experience and then tailor the course to your skill level. The course will involve a test the same day at the DVSA Multi-purpose Trailer Test Centre in West Thurrock or Chelmsford
Part 1 (off road)
An Eyesight & licence check followed by a full test brief
Q&A on Towing safety session, covering rules and regulations
Show me / Tell me question session
Unhitch / Rehitch
Q&A and practice
Practise driving off road with trailer on the vehicle
Reversing manoeuvre
Part 2 (on-the-road)
Expert coaching with a trailer on the vehicle, covering town, country roads and dual carriageway.
Independent drive explanation, coaching and practice.
Test on the same day.
2 Day Intermediate Course
cost £599
The two-day course in Trailer Training is aimed at drivers with some towing experience already. This course will suit those with an idea about what they are doing but wish to build confidence prior to testing. You will cover all the exercises and roadwork skills required to pass the B+E car and trailer test without rushing but in depth. The two full trailer training days allow you to practice and become competent during the training sessions. The second day is a recap of Day 1 plus the test at the DVSA Multi-purpose Trailer Test Centre
Part 1 (off road)
An Eyesight & licence check followed by a full test brief
Towing safety session, covering rules and regulations
Show me / Tell me question session
Unhitch / Rehitch procedure demo and practise session
Practise driving off road with trailer on the vehicle
Reversing manoeuvre
Part 2 (on-the-road)
Expert coaching with a trailer on the vehicle, covering town, country roads and dual carriageway.
Independent drive explanation, coaching and practice.
Test on the second day.
3 Day Beginner Course
cost £799
Our special intensive three-day course is carefully structured for the complete towing novice and designed to bring you up the E test standard. We will work with you to improve planning, awareness and anticipatory skills – vital when towing trailers.
You will cover all the exercises and roadwork skills required to pass the B+E car and trailer test in depth and without rushing. Two full training days allow you to practice and become competent during the training sessions. The third day is dedicated to the test at the DVSA Multi-purpose Trailer Test Centre
Part 1 (off road)
An Eyesight & licence check followed by a full test brief
Towing safety session, covering rules and regulations
Show me / Tell me question session
Unhitch / Rehitch procedure demo and practise session
Practise driving off road with trailer on the vehicle
Reversing manoeuvre
Part 2 (on-the-road)
Expert coaching with a trailer on the vehicle, covering town, country roads and dual carriageway.
Independent drive explanation, coaching and practice.
Test on the third day
good luck!!
Give us a call… 07956 321678
Oz passing his trailer test and trailer licence, from £399 search trailer licence test near me in Chelmsford
Well done Oz who passed his B+E (car and trailer) driving test at West Thurrock Driving Test Centre in Essex.
Oz met me at Get Towing trailer training head quarters in Southend-on-Sea in Essex where we carry out the trailer training courses and completed a 2 day intensive trailer training driving course and B+E driving test to gain his trailer licence.
He enquired for a ‘trailer licence and ‘B+E Trailer Test near me in Chelmsford
The Examiner for the B+E driving test complemented him on a safe drive with only a few minors, a very good result as you don’t know the Chelmsford, West Thurrock, South Ockendon and Aveley areas of Essex that well.
The reversing exercise on the trailer test was completed with no minor faults after practicing it many times at our reversing site, before the trailer test really helped.
After that Oz had to carry out the un-couple and re-couple exercise, which scored no minors faults as again we practiced this many times as well.
His trailer licence should be back to his home address within 2 weeks as the examiner sent it off for him as his address on the drivers licence was the same as where he currently living.
The roundabouts in that part of Essex can be tricky, but Oz coped well on his trailer training course with the difficult junctions around the parts of Essex that we drove around.
Basildon and Chelmsford trailer training routes can be particularly challenging if you are not used to the layout.
Basildon and Laindon are noted for their three lane approach roundabouts and unusual junctions particular difficult in a car and trailer.
We carry out these trailer training courses and trailer tests all over the Essex area at locations including; Basildon, Enfield, Dagenham, Ilford, Romford, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester…
Well done again Oz, work will be easier now with the trailer
Facts on tyre wear before your Get Towing trailer training course
Get Towing examining Tyre Wear – Everything You Need To Know
Trailer and vehicle tyres are the only area of your vehicle that make contact with the road you are driving on. For your vehicle to steer, brake and stay on the road safely it is vital your tyres are kept in good condition and checked regularly.
The outer surface of a tyre is made of rubber with a tread pattern. The grooves of the tread create traction with the road surface you are travelling on meaning your vehicle sticks to the road and moves in the direction you instruct it to! The body of a tyre contains an area of compressed air this provides cushioning that protects the wheel rim and absorbs shock.
Rubber is not an everlasting material so the tread pattern on your tyres will wear each time you drive somewhere. Because of this tyres will need to be replaced again and again to maintain a safe and legal vehicle.
If you are found driving with illegal tyres you could be fined up to £2,500 and receive 3 points on your licence – per tyre.
What is the Legal Tyre Tread Depth?
When a tyre is brand new the tyre tread is around 8mm. The legal minimum tyre tread is 1.6 mm over ¾ of the tyre. Tyre tread below this measurement is not thought to provide enough traction to the road to ensure safety when driving.
However, many experts believe tread of 1.6mm is too shallow and recommend using 3mm as the minimum measure of when to change your tyres. This is because research conducted by MIRA found 3mm to be the critical measurement, when tyre tread depth became lower than this the stopping distance needed started to increase. The difference between the stopping distance when braking on a wet surface when tyres were at 1.6mm tread depth was found to be up to 44% longer than a tyre with a tread depth of 3mm.
How do you check the tread depth on a tyre?
Experts recommend the tread of your vehicles tyres should be checked every 2 weeks and at the very least once every month.
There are several ways you can check the tread depth of your tyres:
Use the 20p test – to use this method insert a 20p into the groove of your tyre tread, if the outer band isn’t visible your tyres are legal, if the outer band is visible it is time to get your tyres replaced.
Buy a depth gauge – these handy tools provide a more precise measurement of tread depth than the 20p test and are readily available
Look at your tyre tread wear indicators – Most tyres will have a raised area at the bottom of grooves, once the rest of the tread is in line with this area you are near the legal limit and should get your tyres replaced
See a specialist – tyre centres and garages will know exactly what to look for when checking your tyres, so if you are in any doubt you should ask an expert.
