Towing two trailers?

[Tim M]

Is it legal to tow more than one trailer? I know farmers can, and I've seen circus companies with big horse boxes followed by burger wagons being towed by trucks but would it be legal for me to tow a small (empty) dinghy trailer behind a RIB trailer (with rib on it). It would be easy (and safe) to bolt a towball onto the rear bar on the rib trailer.....i think.

Failing that Im going to have to buy some roof bars and transport it on the roof which seems more preferable but is going to exceed the weight limit of the roofbars. (Failing that Im going to have to make 3x250 mile journeys.)

[ian parkes]

isn't it possible put the small trailer on top of the rib with some padding etc to protect the rib .

Iam pretty certain tandem trailers are not allowed .

[Tim M]

I pondered on that but the console and seating will get in the way. I recon the trailer weighs between 80 and 100kg so it wouldnt be too over the top to put it on the roof I suppose.

[BogMonster]

Reversing could be interesting...

Insurance cover might be worth checking too?

[Nos4r2]

Towing 2 trailers is only permitted if the tow vehicle is a goods vehicle registered with DVLA as a Showman's Vehicle which is a taxation class. You'd have to show them that you were a circus/fairground owner/operator. AFAIK it used to only be permitted at certain times and days even with the showman's plate-though that may have changed.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)

"showman's goods vehicle" means a showman's vehicle which—
(a) is a goods vehicle, and
(b) is permanently fitted with a living van or some other special type of body or superstructure forming part of the equipment of the show of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under this Act,
"showman's vehicle" means a vehicle—
(a) registered under this Act in the name of a person following the business of a travelling showman, and
(b) used solely by him for the purposes of his business and for no other purpose,

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Towing 2 trailers is only permitted if the tow vehicle is a goods vehicle registered with DVLA as a Showman's Vehicle which is a taxation class. You'd have to show them that you were a circus/fairground owner/operator. AFAIK it used to only be permitted at certain times and days even with the showman's plate-though that may have changed.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)

"showman's goods vehicle" means a showman's vehicle which—
(a) is a goods vehicle, and
(b) is permanently fitted with a living van or some other special type of body or superstructure forming part of the equipment of the show of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under this Act,
"showman's vehicle" means a vehicle—
(a) registered under this Act in the name of a person following the business of a travelling showman, and
(b) used solely by him for the purposes of his business and for no other purpose,

Isn't that some sort of positive Discrimination.

[Tim M]

Roofbars it is. I can't belive how expensive they are; £139 for a set of Thule ones!

[Tim M]

This is what I was thinking of. Doesn't look too safe to me:

[Poly]

tim,

you can get "bunk bed" style trailers which will take a rib on the bottom and sailing dinghy on top. We used to do this with a sailing club rib - with console etc some time ago. For the cost of roof bars - which you are then going to overload you could probably modify the trailer to take the dinghy trailer on supports that hold it clear of the rib underneath.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

This is what I was thinking of. Doesn't look too safe to me:

It's actually not too bad-same principle as an Australian road train but shorter.

[BogMonster]

I guess the most critical thing is to have the setup right so it doesn't start snaking - I should think once it starts to go you have a real problem on your hands....! A gusty crosswind on a motorway could be "interesting".

[Hugh Jardon]

i have some lockable thule bars that will be spare when i sell the landy for a reasonable price

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Polwart

tim,

you can get "bunk bed" style trailers which will take a rib on the bottom and sailing dinghy on top. We used to do this with a sailing club rib - with console etc some time ago. For the cost of roof bars - which you are then going to overload you could probably modify the trailer to take the dinghy trailer on supports that hold it clear of the rib underneath.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/i...9_1.jpg?r=2586

Nice idea but I only need to do this once. I found some bars on ebay for £39.99 so that option is quite atractive now.

[qcamel]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Isn't that some sort of positive Discrimination.

No. Its because they dont pay income tax that they are allowed to do what the f*&k they want on the public highway too..