sonic
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 08:51 PM |
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Towing a trailer, whats the law?
Hi All
Its been a while since i was up on the law regarding towing a trailer, my understanding is that as long as the trailer and its contents don't
weigh more than the manufacturers specified limit for example a braked trailer that is ok.
What through me was a guy who fits towbars said if the trailer is rated at lets say 2.5T gross, even if its empty and only weighs say 800kgs and your
car is rated at 1700kgs it is illegal to tow it.
Doesn't sound right to me but i would welcome other peoples opinion or factual information
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:00 PM |
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Depends on your license among other things. It's pretty complex, but ultimately the thing that matters is the MAM of the trailer (it's
maximum authorised mass, i.e. the weight of it and its maximum load) and the mass of your car. And the date you passed your license. If you passed
your license after, I think, Jan 1997 your limits are 750kg with an unbraked trailer and with a braked trailer 3500KG combined mass of MAM of trailer
and MAM of vehicle, and you can't exceed the towing limit of your car either. I'm sure someone will come along to point out an inaccuracy
but that's fairly close. There's a few vagueries inbetween but essentially it's there to stop you towing a heavy trailer without a
license. If you got your license pre 1998 life is a bit easier.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow
[Edited on 12/1/13 by coyoteboy]
I've just noticed the stupid latest addition. There are now 3 phases of license, pre 1997, 1997-2012 and 2013+
If you happen to be stuck in the 1997-2013 phase you can't tow a trailer heavier than your car, but you can if you passed after 2013 or before
1997. Seriously WTF is going on with the legislation? How can they possibly enforce such things when there was no difference in test?! That's
it, I'm writing to my MP, I've been tipped over the edge.
[Edited on 12/1/13 by coyoteboy]
[Edited on 12/1/13 by coyoteboy]
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daniel mason
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:08 PM |
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am sure anything over 750kgs must be braked also
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:15 PM |
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Yes, I think it's always been >750Kg must be braked.
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:16 PM |
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quote:
What through me was a guy who fits towbars said if the trailer is rated at lets say 2.5T gross, even if its empty and only weighs say 800kgs and your
car is rated at 1700kgs it is illegal to tow it.
This is true if you passed your test after Jan 1997 and your towing car is 1000Kg or more, for clarity.
This is why there's something of a trade in people getting their car trailers MAM brought down so they can tow it - often their max mass is very
high to allow towing of any car on it, but that doesn't make sense with a light car on it and a normal towing car. It's illegal to change
the plate unless you're the manufacturer IIRC.
IIRC If it doesn't have a plate on the chassis, the MAM is taken by the max limit on the tyres (i.e tyres with a load limit of 450Kg, two tyres
on the axle - MAM of 900Kg.
[Edited on 12/1/13 by coyoteboy]
[Edited on 12/1/13 by coyoteboy]
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sonic
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:25 PM |
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OK thanks for the replies so far.
I passed my test in 1983 so no problem with my license being an old git!
I have use of a Horse trailer, twin axle, braked etc of which i want to transport two ponies in it, total weight including trailer and ponies 1240Kgs,
my car as listed in the manual has a maximum towing weight for a braked trailer of 1700Kgs.
The trailer on the plate is rated at 2.5T gross, which is why after speaking with this towbar guy i ask the question, if he is to be believed that
mean i cannot tow the horsebox even if it was empty.
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JoelP
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 09:41 PM |
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Im pretty sure he is right there TBH. Could be wrong though, i dont have time to google it for you!
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 10:11 PM |
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Not strictly allowed, but take the plate off. No officer it never had one its too old or make a new one plate with lower capacity.
Ben
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sonic
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| posted on 12/1/13 at 10:18 PM |
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Hi
Just found this on a towing site / forum on Google, I have a B+E license so i believe i am correct.
FOR B+E LICENCES
Where a towing capacity is listed then this would be a legal example:-
CAR has GVW of 2000 and a towing capacity of 1800
TRAILER has a MAM of 3500 and an unladen weight of 1000
The trailer can be loaded with a maximum weight of 800
Where there is not a towing capacity listed then the GTW is used
GTW minus the GVW does not give the towing capacity unless the vehicle is fully laden
EXAMPLE: -
VAN has GVW of 3500 and GTW of 6000
TRAILER has MAM of 3500
The van and trailer can weigh 3000 each and be legal
So my previous email regarding towing my horsebox, i am OK
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Peteff
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| posted on 13/1/13 at 08:59 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Yes, I think it's always been >750Kg must be braked.
It does not mean you can automatically tow a 750kg braked trailer with your Nissan Micra or whatever, the figure is also dependent on towing vehicle
weight.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 13/1/13 at 09:40 AM |
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Look Here.
It took me ages to get my head around it when i looked at this last. The link below is a lot clearer than it used to be now though.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 13/1/13 at 09:44 AM |
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Interestingly, this link answers a lot of questions and debates that keep popping up on here.
May be worth a "Towing with Dollies and Trailers" sticky at the front page?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_200824.pdf
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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omega 24 v6
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| posted on 13/1/13 at 11:32 AM |
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Its a bit of a minefield. I was concerned to read that a C1+E which many of us "older guys " have as std entitles you to a gross train of
12000kg
I knew it was wrong and further reading found a small clause that shows a number on your licence which then refers you back to a gross of 8250kg.
Which is right.
Heres the small code link
https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes
Confusing it certainly is.
If it looks wrong it probably is wrong.
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 14/1/13 at 11:53 AM |
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Fair point 
[Edited on 14/1/13 by coyoteboy]
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Peteff
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| posted on 14/1/13 at 12:11 PM |
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Just pointing out that you could have a smaller trailer and still need brakes if it is too heavy for your car when loaded. 
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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