We are looking for someone to tow our mobile classrooms between schools in our West Berkshire area. The units are built on a close coupled trailer with overrun coupling (see attached). The dimensions are:
• Weight: 3,050 kilograms (3,500 for towing purposes)
• Length: 7 metres, 8.65 metres including tow bar
• Width: 2.5 metres
• Height: 3.08 metres
Operationally, the mobile classroom is towed from one school to the next school at the end of the school day and contact with the school site manager may be needed. We provide full details of dates when the tows are to take place, address & contact details of the schools and exactly where the classroom is to be sited plus any special requirements. The tower will also need to ensure that the mobile classroom is sited on the level. Each mobile classroom has stabilisers and there is access to an outer cupboard for wooden blocks etc. The tower would need to comply with Life Education Wessex and Thames Valley’s guidelines for towing, and siting the classroom.
As our tower the vehicle used must be capable, as defined by the vehicle manufacturer, of towing a classroom, which has an all-up weight not exceeding 3,500kg. This generally requires a Land Rover Discovery or equivalent. Particular consideration must be given to the braking and handling requirements as well as to the towing power. It is the responsibility of the tower to ensure that the vehicle used is fit for the purpose.
Life Education Wessex and Thames Valley has a legal responsibility to ensure that its classrooms are fully roadworthy. The tower in turn has a responsibility to ensure that what he is towing is fully roadworthy. On a weekly basis, the tower should check the state of the following and ensure that they conform to safety standards before each tow:
- Tyres and tyre pressure (recommended psi marked on side of mobile)
- Brakes
- Jockey wheel
- Road lighting
- Reflectors