edspurrier
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 03:54 PM |
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Trailer, one or two axles?
Both a legal and common sense question....
With my post 97 driving licence and a 1500kg car, I've got 2500 kg or allowance to play with to tow a braked trailer with my Tiger.
IS there any legal requirement for B+E test in order to tow a double axle trailer?
And is it worth getting a twin axle trailer? Single axles are much cheaper... and can be fitted with runflats I suppose
thanks
Ed
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v8kid
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:06 PM |
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Twin axles are more stable but difficult to manhandle. Assuming your reversing skills are up to scratch a twin axle is more forgiving if you overspeed
on a down gradient whilst a single axle can be hairy in similar circumstances.
The increace in drag with a twin axle is considerable and given the choice again I'd give up my twin for a single and rely on cruise control to
avoid overspeeding due to boredom!!
Depends on how much you use it I suppose.
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edspurrier
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:08 PM |
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Thanks.
Am I right in thinking I can tow a trailer over 750kg laden if the combination mass of that and my car's mam doesn't exceed 3500kg?
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:35 PM |
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Be careful on this one. The law states that the gross maximum ALLOWABLE weight of the trailer must be below that of the tow car for a post 97 licence.
So if you buy a trailer that states on its plate that the MAM is 2500Kg, you wont be allowed to tow it with a 1500Kg car, however heavy what your
towing actually is...
This applies up to a value of 3500kg for the tow-car/trailer combined. After which you need a trailer test.
Basically, unless you get a very lightweight trailer with a low MAM(some of the smaller Brian james's for example I think) or an old trailer
without a weight plate on it you can't tow many cars on a post 97 licence.
I'm pretty sure the above is the case, but id be happy to be proven otherwise, that way I can legally tow too! 
Andy
[Edited on 29/1/10 by andylancaster3000]
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ashg
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:39 PM |
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no
you can drive a maximum total mass of 3500kg.
so basically the car pluse things in the car plus trailer plus things on the trailer all has to be under 3500kg.
now here is the catch! your loaded trailer must not exceed the curb/max train weight of your vehicle
so your car is 1500kg which means your braked trailer can be no more than 1500kg loaded.
to be honest with a seven you will be about right with a small single axle trailer.
as said the plate needs to fall off accidentally if your mam is over 1500kg but i doubt it will be on a little single axle trailer
brian james clubman should be ok.
[Edited on 29/1/10 by ashg]
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:44 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ashg
no
you can drive a maximum total mass of 3500kg.
so basically the car pluse things in the car plus trailer plus things on the trailer all has to be under 3500kg.
now here is the catch! your loaded trailer must not exceed the curb/max train weight of your vehicle
so your car is 1500kg which means your braked trailer can be no more than 1500kg loaded.
to be honest with a seven you will be about right with a small single axle trailer.
as said the plate needs to fall off accidentally
[Edited on 29/1/10 by ashg]
I believe you are correct for any trailer that doesn't have a weight plate on it, or one with a MAM below that of the towcar. If it has a plate,
the towcar needs to be heavier than the MAM and in comcbination less than 3500..
Currently hunting for regs, found them a while ago for >97 licences, now cant!
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:55 PM |
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Can't find it on DVLA's website but here is the info you need I think:
http://www.johnexley.co.uk/jedtagri.htm
Third of the way down the page.
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ashg
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 04:56 PM |
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i spent ages researching it. finally after a lot of pestering phone calls got the dvla to send me out an info pack
basically you need to look for a trailer that weighs less than 600kg with a mam of 1500kg. that gives you 900kg spare which is plenty of weight
allowance for a 7 style kitcar
also gives you 500kg left over within the car for passengers and luggage.
if it hasnt got a plate then just look for the lightest trailer you can find and take it to the weigh bridge.
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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bj928
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 05:17 PM |
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why does it have to be so bloody complicated, thank god i got my hgv1 or c+e as it is now, and i can tow what i want upto the max train weight of the
tow vehicle.
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edspurrier
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 05:56 PM |
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Spoke to Brian James today. Their trailers have a MAM of 1300-1500kg depending on model, so with my 1970kg MAM Honda a light one is OK.
ta
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alistairolsen
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 06:01 PM |
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its not that complicated and I really dont get the internet based confusion. Its a simple set of rules.
1) the maximum autorised mass of the combination must not exceed 3500kg (so gross weight limit for car and gross weight limit for trailer.)
2) the MAM of the trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, ie the kerb weight of the car must exceed the plated weight of the
trailer.
Hence you are realistically limited to a mid size car and a 1300hg trailer, for instance a vectra weighs 1350kg and has a gross weight of 1900. Add on
your 1300kg trailer and thats 3200 total MAM. This sort of trailer should have a carrying capacity of around 900kg which is plenty for any locost.
My Build Thread
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pewe
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 06:31 PM |
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I've always had single axle trailers but that's been for bikes. Was a bit reluctant to buy a twin axle for the F27 but have now twice been
grateful for it when first a bearing disintegrated and then weeks later a tyre blew out - both without too much drama and certainly not too much
danger.
If you are buying new it's obviously less likely but I reckon the extra security's worth it. Also changing a tyre on a twin axle
especially when laden is easier/safer.
Granted the twin axle is a bit harder to manoeuvre by hand but crank it up on the jockey-wheel and it's almost the same.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe .
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StrikerChris
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 07:29 PM |
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i'm in the same boat as you mate,and having messed about on farms for a good part of the last 12 years i've shrugged off the
towing/general what you can drive post 96 as balls and taken my chances,been stopped and let go without plod even asking about the landrover towin ni
on 6.i'm puttin in for the test now tho cause vosa are regularly checkin normal cars round here,and the insurance would take some sorting out!as
for you q about twin axles,if you dont need one dont get one.great to tow,but thens a well loaded single,and you can man handle one of them without a
hernia or a naggy mrs!
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JoelP
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 08:48 PM |
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You can buy blank trailer plates on ebay and put anything you like on it regarding design weights.
I must also confess ive given up trying to comply with the towing requirements, i need to pull big loads occationally and dont have time to jump
through hoops with the b+e test.
Im sure you can make a trailer light enough to have it under 750kgs all in and thus be unbraked, though that probably only applies to BECs. If you
choose this route then the mechanical components can be bought for under £100.
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alistairolsen
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 09:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
You can buy blank trailer plates on ebay and put anything you like on it regarding design weights.
I must also confess ive given up trying to comply with the towing requirements, i need to pull big loads occationally and dont have time to jump
through hoops with the b+e test.
Im sure you can make a trailer light enough to have it under 750kgs all in and thus be unbraked, though that probably only applies to BECs. If you
choose this route then the mechanical components can be bought for under £100.
So if someone only needs to drive occasionally they shouldnt bother jumping through hoops with the car test?
I suspect youre right with the BEC idea, My 1300kg single axle is a fraction over 300kg empty. If it was only for a BEC I could have build it a lot
lighter.
Where do you plan on getting a pair of 750kg suspension units for 100 quid?
My Build Thread
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rallyingden
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| posted on 29/1/10 at 10:12 PM |
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two or four wheel
As far as two wheel V's four wheel go's
My four wheel is very stable and by choosing slightly different front / rear suspension units, when the trailer is un-laiden it sits on two wheels
plus jocky wheel which makes man handling into its "home" very easy.
RD 
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