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Trailer regulations
austin man - 14/9/13 at 06:43 PM

I have just bought a trailer which is a few years old, haveing never towed or owned a trailer am unsure on the following

do I need to advise my insurance company is I am towing
does the trailer require any paperwork
does it need any form of test, mt neighbour said it has to have a yearly Vosa test

My licence does allow me to tow because Im an auld git

rgrs - 14/9/13 at 07:12 PM

1 , yes you need third party cover for towing, most polices already cover you but do check.

2 , nope no paperwork at all.

3, Nope not yet (unless its got air or hydraulic coupled brakes) but it can't be long before they do decide to introduce something.

Just make sure that its fitted with a break-away lanyard (to apply the brakes if it separates from the vehicle) or chain if 750Kg unbraked.

Check the hitch rating is more than the gross plated weight and, check that the trailers plated weight does not exceed the tow vehicles capacity (regardless if it empty or not( you can always plate the trailer at a lower weight than the manufacturers stated figures).

Roger

daniel mason - 14/9/13 at 07:19 PM

as far as im aware, you dont need to inform insurers unless you insure the trailer or the car and trailer. as your allowed to tow on your license. but its recommended. i dont currently have my trailer or the radical insured.

austin man - 14/9/13 at 07:27 PM

It is a braked trailer on one axle it does have a hydraulic brake system and a cable operated handbrake not sure of the weight capacity. My tow vehicle is a VW T5 transporter

owelly - 14/9/13 at 07:45 PM

Brakes need to be auto-reversing brakes and on all road wheels.

jacko - 14/9/13 at 08:05 PM

Your insurance should have been notified when you had the tow bar fitted anyway so they will / should know you are going to tow with the vehicle

austin man - 14/9/13 at 08:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
Your insurance should have been notified when you had the tow bar fitted anyway so they will / should know you are going to tow with the vehicle


Is the above requirement not only for newly built trailers, the trailer I have is a few years old it has a Bradly Hitch which operates the brakes, this can be locked off if needed

AndyW - 14/9/13 at 08:44 PM

At my IVA this week, there were 3 inspector in the IVA section. Whilst my car was being tested the other two took a lot of interest in the trailer which I used to tow it to the test.

They are now spot checking trailers that are used to tow into the test stations, regardless of whether its there for a test or not. the inspector said to me he could impound the trailer if he found any defects

So watch out at VOSA stations as they are VERY aware of home made trailers

SteveWalker - 14/9/13 at 09:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
Your insurance should have been notified when you had the tow bar fitted anyway so they will / should know you are going to tow with the vehicle


That's an interesting one and could make for an interesting argument in court.

You could argue that as a modification, it must be notified.

On the other hand, most insurance states that it covers (3rd party) a trailer towed by your vehicle, which could be taken to imply that a) they don't need to be told that you are going to tow, as they've already said that they're covering it and b) you don't need to tell them that you have had a towbar fitted, as again they've already said they're going to cover you for towing a trailer, which you patently can't do without a towbar!

morcus - 14/9/13 at 09:47 PM

If the car was supplied with the tow bar from the factory it wouldn't be a modification, and my insurer said it didn't count to them when I asked about mine. I don't use it but the bolt is really coroded so I don't want to risk trying to remove it stops the neighbours parking right up against the car and blocking me in.