austin man
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 06:43 PM |
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Trailer regulations
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
Life is like a bowl of fruit, funny how all the weird looking ones are left alone
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rgrs
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 07:12 PM |
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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
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daniel mason
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 07:19 PM |
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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.
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austin man
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 07:27 PM |
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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
Life is like a bowl of fruit, funny how all the weird looking ones are left alone
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owelly
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 07:45 PM |
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Brakes need to be auto-reversing brakes and on all road wheels.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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jacko
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 08:05 PM |
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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
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austin man
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 08:43 PM |
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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
Life is like a bowl of fruit, funny how all the weird looking ones are left alone
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AndyW
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 08:44 PM |
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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
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SteveWalker
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 09:06 PM |
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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!
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morcus
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| posted on 14/9/13 at 09:47 PM |
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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.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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