UK driving licence caravan/trailer towing restrictions NOT being lifted on Nov. 15th

[BTB 500]

BUT..... it would get rid of the dodgy homemade contraptions based on old Mini rear subframes and old caravan chassis.
edit to add. Maybe the Selby rail accident in 2001 ?
second edit. Trailer Safety Statutory Report 2019

Are home-made trailers still a thing? Many years since I last saw one!

The Selby rail accident was caused by dangerous driving rather than a defective trailer.

I already posted a link to the 2019 DfT report - only 20 of 983 towing accidents investigated identified trailer defects as a contributory factor (not necessarily the direct cause). The report concluded "Only in a relatively few cases do defects contribute to injury incidents. In some respects, trailer-related incidents share some characteristics with incidents in the wider light vehicle fleet, including that human error is a far more prevalent reason. On the basis of the information assessed so far, I am not convinced that the Government should extend vehicle testing to light trailers".

As an aside pre-1983 cars are are also never inspected/tested (MOT exempt) ... I wonder what the accident/injury figures are for those?

 

[JHS]

Are home-made trailers still a thing? Many years since I last saw one!

The Selby rail accident was caused by dangerous driving rather than a defective trailer.

I already posted a link to the 2019 DfT report - only 20 of 983 towing accidents investigated identified trailer defects as a contributory factor (not necessarily the direct cause). The report concluded "Only in a relatively few cases do defects contribute to injury incidents. In some respects, trailer-related incidents share some characteristics with incidents in the wider light vehicle fleet, including that human error is a far more prevalent reason. On the basis of the information assessed so far, I am not convinced that the Government should extend vehicle testing to light trailers".

As an aside pre-1983 cars are are also never inspected/tested (MOT exempt) ... I wonder what the accident/injury figures are for those?

Homemade trailers are still alive and kicking, a trip to your local tip will show you.
I seem to remember that a contributing factor in Selby was that he was towing an unbraked trailer loaded with a car, but I could be wrong.
The 2019 report. in the foreword, in the paragraph just before the one you quote, also says:
"It is clear including from roadside checks by DVSA undertaken for this report that many light trailers are used on public roads in a defective state. I recognise it is important that the focus already developed by campaigns and involving public agencies is taken forward."

The Executive Summary of the 2019 report also says:
1.3 DVSA undertook roadside checks to provide additional data on light trailers for this report. About 50% of O2 trailers checked were non-compliant in random stops, as opposed to about 20% of GB heavier (O3 and O4) trailers, with the rate of immediate prohibitions (i.e. defects so dangerous repairs were needed before further use of the trailer) being 29% for O2 and 5% for heavier trailers. There are a number of likely reasons for this differential, including enforcement, operator licencing and annual testing,"

1.8 The poor level of compliance of light trailers when stopped is a cause for concern.There will be further consideration of adding to the types of information used in this report including more stops of caravans during summer months to check compliance rates and consideration of incident-related data collection (including via STATS19)."

I concede that the incidences of deaths caused by trailer defect are insignificant,unless they affect one directly,but doing nothing about a small problem does not stop it growing into a big problem.

Pre 83 cars are another subject, but I would suggest that they are subject to a better level of service and repair than light trailers.



Edited ro add this from the MVG site:

These documents are needed for the registration of your trailer​

So that your trailer is approved and your new license plates can be issued, you can’t avoid driving to the responsible registration office. When you are on site, you need the following documents so that your approval can be issued: You need the manufacturer’s certificate or confirmation of a valid general inspection by a testing organization such as the German DEKRA or TÜV, which confirms that your trailer is roadworthy. If the “TÜV” has expired, there will be a fine depending on the duration of the overdraft, so make sure that the general inspection is still valid. You should also be able to identify yourself, for example with an identity card. Also have the registration certificate part I and II with you in any case. Finally, you need an insurance code from your insurance company, alternatively you can also bring a double insurance card with you.

Registration of your trailer

After buying a new trailer, you have to register it first. What do you have to consider and which documents do you need? We have all the information for you.

www.how-to-towbar.com

 

[BTB 500]

Homemade trailers are still alive and kicking, a trip to your local tip will show you

I seem to remember that a contributing factor in Selby was that he was towing an unbraked trailer loaded with a car, but I could be wrong.
The 2019 report. in the foreword, in the paragraph just before the one you quote, also says:

I concede that the incidences of deaths caused by trailer defect are insignificant,unless they affect one directly,but doing nothing about a small problem does not stop it growing into a big problem.

Pre 83 cars are another subject, but I would suggest that they are subject to a better level of service and repair than light trailers.

Edited ro add this from the MVG site:

Our nearest 'household recycling centre' is a 40 mile round trip, so we don't go there very often I vaguely remember you actually need some sort of permit to take a trailer (or van) in.

I think the Selby crash guy initially claimed there had been a fault with the car and/or trailer but none was found hence he was done for dangerous driving.

Trailers have never had any controls on them in the UK ... the subject of registration & testing is reviewed fairly regularly so I think if there was evidence that the rate of injury from them was on the increase something would be done.

Yep I knew that trailers had to be registered in Germany (for which evidence of roadworthiness is needed) but wasn't sure about testing after that. As mentioned cars are only checked every 2 years there.

I would suspect that MOT exempt cars are involved in more injury accidents than trailers but I don't know if there's any data on this.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Homemade trailers are still alive and kicking, a trip to your local tip will show you.
I seem to remember that a contributing factor in Selby was that he was towing an unbraked trailer loaded with a car, but I could be wrong.
The 2019 report. in the foreword, in the paragraph just before the one you quote, also says:
"It is clear including from roadside checks by DVSA undertaken for this report that many light trailers are used on public roads in a defective state. I recognise it is important that the focus already developed by campaigns and involving public agencies is taken forward."

The Executive Summary of the 2019 report also says:
1.3 DVSA undertook roadside checks to provide additional data on light trailers for this report. About 50% of O2 trailers checked were non-compliant in random stops, as opposed to about 20% of GB heavier (O3 and O4) trailers, with the rate of immediate prohibitions (i.e. defects so dangerous repairs were needed before further use of the trailer) being 29% for O2 and 5% for heavier trailers. There are a number of likely reasons for this differential, including enforcement, operator licencing and annual testing,"

1.8 The poor level of compliance of light trailers when stopped is a cause for concern.There will be further consideration of adding to the types of information used in this report including more stops of caravans during summer months to check compliance rates and consideration of incident-related data collection (including via STATS19)."

I concede that the incidences of deaths caused by trailer defect are insignificant,unless they affect one directly,but doing nothing about a small problem does not stop it growing into a big problem.

Pre 83 cars are another subject, but I would suggest that they are subject to a better level of service and repair than light trailers.



Edited ro add this from the MVG site:

These documents are needed for the registration of your trailer​

So that your trailer is approved and your new license plates can be issued, you can’t avoid driving to the responsible registration office. When you are on site, you need the following documents so that your approval can be issued: You need the manufacturer’s certificate or confirmation of a valid general inspection by a testing organization such as the German DEKRA or TÜV, which confirms that your trailer is roadworthy. If the “TÜV” has expired, there will be a fine depending on the duration of the overdraft, so make sure that the general inspection is still valid. You should also be able to identify yourself, for example with an identity card. Also have the registration certificate part I and II with you in any case. Finally, you need an insurance code from your insurance company, alternatively you can also bring a double insurance card with you.

Registration of your trailer

After buying a new trailer, you have to register it first. What do you have to consider and which documents do you need? We have all the information for you.

www.how-to-towbar.com

Trailer are not registered in the UK nor can they be.....just mainland Europe (that's why when you see caravan oversea it has it own reg ....not the same as the one on the car like here in the UK)....and because of that it makes any types of trailer or caravan MOT unenforceable.
The NCC (National Caravan Council) and the Gov looked into a basic MOT type safety test for caravans and heavy trailer a few years back.....my company was involved in the consultation. The conclusion was that most "trailers"are well maintained (especially caravans due to the usually very low miles they accrue) and that the cost of setting up any sort of testing system would far outweigh any advantages....idea shelved. Also of course there would be the massive extra cost of giving every caravan its own registration document and number plate (caravans due have an "owners doc"...the CRIS doc....but even these are not mandatory and run from a private company.....not HM Gov).
Without this registration/number plate scheme all the ANPR cameras that pic up cars with no MOT/TAX or insurance would only get info on the car....not the caravan. Personally, although our workshop might have made more through testing and repair, I think that caravans are generally safe if towed sensibly and with the right car so I think to not go forward was the right choice. When we do see caravans that get binned its usually people using tyres over five years old (nothing leaves my centre with old tyres....5 years from DOT sidewall date is now the NCC approved limit)....or towing too fast for the weather or with too light a car.....nothing usually to do with the van itself.

 

[JHS]

Trailer are not registered in the UK nor can they be.....just mainland Europe (that's why when you see caravan oversea it has it own reg ....not the same as the one on the car like here in the UK)....and because of that it makes any types of trailer or caravan MOT unenforceable.
The NCC (National Caravan Council) and the Gov looked into a basic MOT type safety test for caravans and heavy trailer a few years back.....my company was involved in the consultation. The conclusion was that most "trailers"are well maintained (especially caravans due to the usually very low miles they accrue) and that the cost of setting up any sort of testing system would far outweigh any advantages....idea shelved. Also of course there would be the massive extra cost of giving every caravan its own registration document and number plate (caravans due have an "owners doc"...the CRIS doc....but even these are not mandatory and run from a private company.....not HM Gov).
Without this registration/number plate scheme all the ANPR cameras that pic up cars with no MOT/TAX or insurance would only get info on the car....not the caravan. Personally, although our workshop might have made more through testing and repair, I think that caravans are generally safe if towed sensibly and with the right car so I think to not go forward was the right choice. When we do see caravans that get binned its usually people using tyres over five years old (nothing leaves my centre with old tyres....5 years from DOT sidewall date is now the NCC approved limit)....or towing too fast for the weather or with too light a car.....nothing usually to do with the van itself.

When we do see caravans that get binned its usually people using tyres over five years old (nothing leaves my centre with old tyres....5 years from DOT sidewall date is now the NCC approved limit)..
nothing usually to do with the van itself.

Not clear how these two go together? Are the tyres not a part of the van? And surely an annual test would pick up crap tyres?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Fair enough....badly worded. Tyres should be obvious to even the daftest owner.....but we see people with 7 plus year old tyres covered in cracks all the time!!. What I meant was accidents are not caused by structural failure or rust or brakes not working etc etc. A test just to check tyres (the main cause of accidents) would be overkill.....and of course, like any other MOT exempt vehicle (classic car, bikes and agricultural vehicles like tractors) the driver is responsible for ensuring safe tyres....MOTed or not.

 

[JHS]

Fair enough....badly worded. Tyres should be obvious to even the daftest owner.....but we see people with 7 plus year old tyres covered in cracks all the time!!. What I meant was accidents are not caused by structural failure or rust or brakes not working etc etc. A test just to check tyres (the main cause of accidents) would be overkill.....and of course, like any other MOT exempt vehicle (classic car, bikes and agricultural vehicles like tractors) the driver is responsible for ensuring safe tyres....MOTed or not.

Point taken.

 

[Petrol Pete]

IIRC military trailers (at least in my day) had separate registrations.

Last time I was in the Netherlands I noticed a colleague had a different plate on his trailer that did not match the car he was driving . he told me the trailers over there were all registered as a 'vehicle' in their own right .

 

[Petrol Pete]

Holiday season used to be the time when you would often see a family sitting on the hard shoulder embankment while dad stood looking forlornly at an exploded tyre on his overloaded home made trailer wondering how the hell to get the rusted wheel nuts off with the wheel brace from his car which is the wrong size.

Not really an issue ....as he does not have a spare for the trailer anyway

He won't have a wife either if he doesn't sort it out soon !

 

[Pontoneer]

Are home-made trailers still a thing? Many years since I last saw one!

The Selby rail accident was caused by dangerous driving rather than a defective trailer.

I already posted a link to the 2019 DfT report - only 20 of 983 towing accidents investigated identified trailer defects as a contributory factor (not necessarily the direct cause). The report concluded "Only in a relatively few cases do defects contribute to injury incidents. In some respects, trailer-related incidents share some characteristics with incidents in the wider light vehicle fleet, including that human error is a far more prevalent reason. On the basis of the information assessed so far, I am not convinced that the Government should extend vehicle testing to light trailers".

As an aside pre-1983 cars are are also never inspected/tested (MOT exempt) ... I wonder what the accident/injury figures are for those?

I made one a while back based on a Ponton front subframe and part of the chassis was wooden ! Never had any mishaps with it but eventually replaced it with an Erde 142 which I still have

 

[Pontoneer]

Homemade trailers are still alive and kicking, a trip to your local tip will show you.
I seem to remember that a contributing factor in Selby was that he was towing an unbraked trailer loaded with a car, but I could be wrong.
The 2019 report. in the foreword, in the paragraph just before the one you quote, also says:
"It is clear including from roadside checks by DVSA undertaken for this report that many light trailers are used on public roads in a defective state. I recognise it is important that the focus already developed by campaigns and involving public agencies is taken forward."

The Executive Summary of the 2019 report also says:
1.3 DVSA undertook roadside checks to provide additional data on light trailers for this report. About 50% of O2 trailers checked were non-compliant in random stops, as opposed to about 20% of GB heavier (O3 and O4) trailers, with the rate of immediate prohibitions (i.e. defects so dangerous repairs were needed before further use of the trailer) being 29% for O2 and 5% for heavier trailers. There are a number of likely reasons for this differential, including enforcement, operator licencing and annual testing,"

1.8 The poor level of compliance of light trailers when stopped is a cause for concern.There will be further consideration of adding to the types of information used in this report including more stops of caravans during summer months to check compliance rates and consideration of incident-related data collection (including via STATS19)."

I concede that the incidences of deaths caused by trailer defect are insignificant,unless they affect one directly,but doing nothing about a small problem does not stop it growing into a big problem.

Pre 83 cars are another subject, but I would suggest that they are subject to a better level of service and repair than light trailers.



Edited ro add this from the MVG site:

These documents are needed for the registration of your trailer​

So that your trailer is approved and your new license plates can be issued, you can’t avoid driving to the responsible registration office. When you are on site, you need the following documents so that your approval can be issued: You need the manufacturer’s certificate or confirmation of a valid general inspection by a testing organization such as the German DEKRA or TÜV, which confirms that your trailer is roadworthy. If the “TÜV” has expired, there will be a fine depending on the duration of the overdraft, so make sure that the general inspection is still valid. You should also be able to identify yourself, for example with an identity card. Also have the registration certificate part I and II with you in any case. Finally, you need an insurance code from your insurance company, alternatively you can also bring a double insurance card with you.

Registration of your trailer

After buying a new trailer, you have to register it first. What do you have to consider and which documents do you need? We have all the information for you.

www.how-to-towbar.com

I rather think the main safety issue with trailers will always be tyres ; my Erde trailer had lain unused for a while , so I purchased three new wheels and tyres for it ( two plus the spare ) ; after that would be brakes and lights - again one sees so many trailers with defective lighting , but that does not so often cause crashes as much as defective tyres and brokers must .

 

[Petrol Pete]

Before I bought my van I used a one bike motorcycle trailer made by UK firm KLINN. I weighs just 50KG and if I went to collect a bike I used to stick it up on the roof rack !! so I could get to a decent cruising speed on the motorway . Also it could not be seen in the mirrors of the car unless a bike was on it so it was easy to forget it was back there .

I bought a spare wheel for it and carried the correct socket with me (15mm ??) One day I decided to undo and retighten the wheel nuts . Good job I was at home at the time as the trailer was so light and the nuts so tight that the wheel just spun around , even when I stood on the trailer.

Would have been in a bit of a pickle if I had needed to remove the wheel out on the open road.

Still got it .

 

[BTB 500]

From a safety POV (i.e. putting anyone at risk) the biggest issue would be accidental unhitching, which 99% of the time would be down to user error rather than an actual defect.

Nearly all small trailers are unbraked, and the tow vehicle's rear lights can often still be seen anyway. A blown tyre would do the trailer no good but wouldn't be likely to hurt anyone.

I also have an old Erde (actually a 'Daxara' model - their upmarket brand, with shock absorbers), and bizarrely it was cheaper to buy new wheels & tyres complete than just the tyres (never mind the cost of having them fitted). They're crossplys from Indonesia marked as 'ultra light truck' (rated for 81 mph and 355 kg each), and I suspect are used on tuk-tuks or something similar. I replaced the lamp lenses too and also fitted new orange indicator bulbs as the old ones were almost clear - I think everything I took off was original from 18 years ago.



Apart from towing it home when I bought it a couple of years ago I've never used it on-road ... it's normally behind my tractor or ride-on mower. So it's still got the cracked original tyres on it for now - the nice new ones are stored in a dark shed in case I ever need them (I have another wheel with an unused spare tyre on it)

 

[Pontoneer]

From a safety POV (i.e. putting anyone at risk) the biggest issue would be accidental unhitching, which 99% of the time would be down to user error rather than an actual defect.

Nearly all small trailers are unbraked, and the tow vehicle's rear lights can often still be seen anyway. A blown tyre would do the trailer no good but wouldn't be likely to hurt anyone.

I also have an old Erde (actually a 'Daxara' model - their upmarket brand, with shock absorbers), and bizarrely it was cheaper to buy new wheels & tyres complete than just the tyres (never mind the cost of having them fitted). They're crossplys from Indonesia marked as 'ultra light truck' (rated for 81 mph and 355 kg each), and I suspect are used on tuk-tuks or something similar. I replaced the lamp lenses too and also fitted new orange indicator bulbs as the old ones were almost clear - I think everything I took off was original from 18 years ago.

View attachment 146508

Apart from towing it home when I bought it a couple of years ago I've never used it on-road ... it's normally behind my tractor or ride-on mower. So it's still got the cracked original tyres on it for now - the nice new ones are stored in a dark shed in case I ever need them (I have another wheel with an unused spare tyre on it)

View attachment 146510

View attachment 146509

Yep , that's pretty much identical to my Erde 142 . I lined mine with ply to avoid denting the metal since I mainly used it to collect things like engines and gearboxes , also got some Unistrut angle brackets ( substantial things ) and bolted through the chassis side members to provide anchor points through the floor .

 

[BTB 500]

Yep , that's pretty much identical to my Erde 142 . I lined mine with ply to avoid denting the metal since I mainly used it to collect things like engines and gearboxes , also got some Unistrut angle brackets ( substantial things ) and bolted through the chassis side members to provide anchor points through the floor .

Allegedly the Daxara versions used slightly thicker steel panels although I'm not convinced that was true! I sorted the lights & tyres out on mine as I was selling a flail mower that would (just) have fitted in the trailer and I wanted to be able to offer local delivery. It weighed 250 kg and I was definitely planning to put it on a sheet of ply. In the event someone came and collected it though.

 

[Pontoneer]

From a safety POV (i.e. putting anyone at risk) the biggest issue would be accidental unhitching, which 99% of the time would be down to user error rather than an actual defect.

Nearly all small trailers are unbraked, and the tow vehicle's rear lights can often still be seen anyway. A blown tyre would do the trailer no good but wouldn't be likely to hurt anyone.

I also have an old Erde (actually a 'Daxara' model - their upmarket brand, with shock absorbers), and bizarrely it was cheaper to buy new wheels & tyres complete than just the tyres (never mind the cost of having them fitted). They're crossplys from Indonesia marked as 'ultra light truck' (rated for 81 mph and 355 kg each), and I suspect are used on tuk-tuks or something similar. I replaced the lamp lenses too and also fitted new orange indicator bulbs as the old ones were almost clear - I think everything I took off was original from 18 years ago.

View attachment 146508

Apart from towing it home when I bought it a couple of years ago I've never used it on-road ... it's normally behind my tractor or ride-on mower. So it's still got the cracked original tyres on it for now - the nice new ones are stored in a dark shed in case I ever need them (I have another wheel with an unused spare tyre on it)

View attachment 146510

View attachment 146509

Mine was certainly used and abused for many years , as the first picture will show ; but I eventually overhauled it , with taller side walls to allow for carrying bulkier items ( such as garden waste etc ) and , besides the new wheels and tyres , plus load anchors , also fitted an extra towball into the drawbar which allowed me to clamp my towball mounted cycle carrier across the front of it . The second picture showed it not quite finished .

 

[BTB 500]

Mine was certainly used and abused for many years , as the first picture will show ; but I eventually overhauled it , with taller side walls to allow for carrying bulkier items ( such as garden waste etc ) and , besides the new wheels and tyres , plus load anchors , also fitted an extra towball into the drawbar which allowed me to clamp my towball mounted cycle carrier across the front of it . The second picture showed it not quite finished .

Nice job! I have a simpler drop-in frame to extend the height, mostly for use with the chipper. It's plated to carry 505 kg but I'm pretty sure it's had significantly more in it (off road) when cutting up trees - logs are heavy!

 

[Pontoneer]

From a safety POV (i.e. putting anyone at risk) the biggest issue would be accidental unhitching, which 99% of the time would be down to user error rather than an actual defect.

Nearly all small trailers are unbraked, and the tow vehicle's rear lights can often still be seen anyway. A blown tyre would do the trailer no good but wouldn't be likely to hurt anyone.

I also have an old Erde (actually a 'Daxara' model - their upmarket brand, with shock absorbers), and bizarrely it was cheaper to buy new wheels & tyres complete than just the tyres (never mind the cost of having them fitted). They're crossplys from Indonesia marked as 'ultra light truck' (rated for 81 mph and 355 kg each), and I suspect are used on tuk-tuks or something similar. I replaced the lamp lenses too and also fitted new orange indicator bulbs as the old ones were almost clear - I think everything I took off was original from 18 years ago.

View attachment 146508

Apart from towing it home when I bought it a couple of years ago I've never used it on-road ... it's normally behind my tractor or ride-on mower. So it's still got the cracked original tyres on it for now - the nice new ones are stored in a dark shed in case I ever need them (I have another wheel with an unused spare tyre on it)

View attachment 146510

View attachment 146509

Re accidental unhitching , I'm sure your Daxara is the same as my Erde and has the small steel cable with the hook which can be attatched to some part of the towing bracket , or simply looped around the tow ball ; it 'might' prevent the worst happeneing . I also have a very substantial steel strop which is primarily used as a security measure ( it follows the electrical cable down the drawbar and is looped around the crossmember under the trailer ) if I need to leave the trailer attached to the car somewhere ; it is also looped round a fixed part of the towing bracket on the car with a substantial padlock securing it , but also a good sized shackle through the loop and round the strop , and I'm pretty confident that won't become detached . If just going to the dump and not leaving the trailer unattended , the shackle alone is all I need , but at home the trailer is padlocked to a metal railing for security .

 

[BTB 500]

Re accidental unhitching , I'm sure your Daxara is the same as my Erde and has the small steel cable with the hook which can be attatched to some part of the towing bracket , or simply looped around the tow ball ; it 'might' prevent the worst happeneing . I also have a very substantial steel strop which is primarily used as a security measure ( it follows the electrical cable down the drawbar and is looped around the crossmember under the trailer ) if I need to leave the trailer attached to the car somewhere ; it is also looped round a fixed part of the towing bracket on the car with a substantial padlock securing it , but also a good sized shackle through the loop and round the strop , and I'm pretty confident that won't become detached . If just going to the dump and not leaving the trailer unattended , the shackle alone is all I need , but at home the trailer is padlocked to a metal railing for security .

It's a chain on mine, but yes unbraked trailers are meant to have a 'secondary coupling' which should keep them attached to the towbar if the hitch comes off. And braked trailers use a 'breakaway cable' to apply the brakes in the same situation. Both do rely on the user attaching them to the car though

Your strop & padlock sound like a good idea for security - mine is rather more basic, with a small lock barrel that inserts into the hitch and prevents the handle from being lifted:



I use something much more substantial on the caravan!

As an aside I was always told that although legally OK the emergency services don't like people to tow with anything fitted that would make it more difficult for them to unhitch in the event of an accident.

 

[Pontoneer]

It's a chain on mine, but yes unbraked trailers are meant to have a 'secondary coupling' which should keep them attached to the towbar if the hitch comes off. And braked trailers use a 'breakaway cable' to apply the brakes in the same situation. Both do rely on the user attaching them to the car though

Your strop & padlock sound like a good idea for security - mine is rather more basic, with a small lock barrel that inserts into the hitch and prevents the handle from being lifted:

View attachment 146639

I use something much more substantial on the caravan!

As an aside I was always told that although legally OK the emergency services don't like people to tow with anything fitted that would make it more difficult for them to unhitch in the event of an accident.

Yeah , I bought one of those on ebay , it seemed pretty cheap & cheerful , so I got something better ; the key for my trailer padlock is on the same keyring as my car keys , along with the keys for my Thule roofbars , so I'd hope pretty easy for them to find in an emergency - hopefully the first place they'd look ?

Oh , and , yes , on my caravan I had the breakaway cable that connected to the other end of the caravan 'handbrake' lever . Also had my 'buuldog' ( think that's what it was called ? ) damper which reduced the tendancy to snake under certain circumstances . I think it is still in my storage container somewhere but not really needed for the small trailer .

I no longer need a big , twin axle , caravan , but am tempted to get a smaller van , something like an Eriba Touring , since it would only be for myself and my son , or to set up on site for my ex and him to have on holidays ; or if I needed just for myself to tour round different parts of the country for work .

I like Eriba vans , good German engineering , and quite compact .