Board logo

trailers these days and the rules for weight
Mr Whippy - 20/4/11 at 08:58 AM

Just noting the the rules have changed for all up weights and it occured to me what about trailers you build yourself?

I've done a few which I quite like building tbh but have never considered maximum carrying capacity's as they have been single axle alloy box ones. But do I need to put plates on for the towing weights now?

I was wanting to do a very large but very light spaceframe, streamlined box trailer to take my model planes to the flying club which was going to be a double axle or maybe even a triple for smoother running but would look huge compaired to the car. Obvoiusly it won't be carrying any appretable load weight but I can see the police pulling me over the second they see me towing it with the little falcon...

Any ideas on this?

JoelP - 20/4/11 at 11:55 AM

last time i looked into this, i found blank weight plates on ebay. You could then put anything you liked on it.

I have the sme problem as you, as i have a ridiculously large trailer for moving around large loads of polystyrene.

coyoteboy - 20/4/11 at 12:37 PM

quote:
Just noting the the rules have changed for all up weights and it occured to me what about trailers you build yourself?


IIRC, and I can't remember the source, but you're not allowed to tow a home made trailer anymore, much like you're not allowed to use a non type approved tow bar anymore (on a post 2001 car).

coyoteboy - 20/4/11 at 12:51 PM

I can't find anything to back that up, so it could be rubbish.

Mr Whippy - 20/4/11 at 01:01 PM

I don't think that is the case tbh, especially as at least half the trailers on the road are self built

I did hear talk of bring out an MOT type thing for trailers but that seems to have died a death.

Might have been a good idea as I have seen some dreadful ones, mind one that was made from shelfing framing that was just tacked togeather and chipboard panels on an old car axle, nightmare

[Edited on 20/4/11 by Mr Whippy]

coyoteboy - 20/4/11 at 01:06 PM

quote:
I don't think that is the case tbh, especially as at least half the trailers on the road are self built


So are 50% of the towbars, but that's against construction and use regs.

Mr Whippy - 20/4/11 at 01:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
quote:
I don't think that is the case tbh, especially as at least half the trailers on the road are self built


So are 50% of the towbars, but that's against construction and use regs.


IIFC you cannot make your own towbar for any car registered after August 1st 1998. As they require type approval testing. As I don't drive such a new car I'm fine