Trailer law and ratings - Page 3

jeffstevens763@g · 18 December 2015, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I found that letter by the way...

hi john

the letter blurred on my pc have you a link to it or a better copy.

cheers

HughN · 18 December 2015, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

That letter John Kennett has just linked to is good enough for me ill be keeping a copy in both my cars could save a lot of hassle

Ah, but that is titled for Light Goods Vehicles - is it only valid if you are driving an LGV?

HughN · 18 December 2015, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Oh and yer licence description becomes a simplification because there are three generations of licence and all allow trailer > 750kg but with dwindling tow vehicle weight over the years.

I got my license in 1988 so had the towing entitlement. I then declared a health condition to DVLA and was put on a one year licence with all entitlements taken away. After a few years of that I went to a three year licence and B & E came back (as did the rest)!

jeffstevens763@g · 18 December 2015, 10:21

the AA have a good guide, interestingly i have picked up on the gov site, parkers & the AA max width of trialer or caravan was pre 2010 2.3m in the uk now in line with EU at 2.55m that means i was ilegal towing my rib pre 2010 at 2.4m width.

Poly · 18 December 2015, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

that means i was ilegal towing my rib pre 2010 at 2.4m width.

no - the trailer wasn't too wide, the load was overhanging it (permitted by up to 30cm each side IIRC)

jeffstevens763@g · 18 December 2015, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

no - the trailer wasn't too wide, the load was overhanging it (permitted by up to 30cm each side IIRC)

yep 305mm your right poly.

cheers

beamishken · 18 December 2015, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughN

Ah, but that is titled for Light Goods Vehicles - is it only valid if you are driving an LGV?

It's fine for my hilux and to be honest I can't see why the rules would change from private to lgv.
Private is more likely to be 1 trailer 1 vehicle and usually same load thinking about boats caravans etc.
With lgv and a goods trailer you could load insulation 1 day and concrete blocks the next so more chance of abusing weight restrictions

Xk59D · 18 December 2015, 16:28

I wouldn't trust that letter so far as I can throw it.

If I was doing this i would write to them yourself and let them respond accordingly, with your name on it then you would imagine that is proof enough.

willk · 18 December 2015, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Stuff like that is invaluable if you get stopped by a jobsworth

Pikey Dave · 18 December 2015, 17:03

I had a word with my cousin who's a traffic cop today regarding this & I gave him a simple scenario:-

Ignoring any licence category issues, can I tow a trailer plated at 2750kg mgw with my VW transporter van that has a maximum towing capacity of 2600kg as long as the trailer weight is under the max towing weight of the VW? Answer :- yes as long as you don't exceed the mgtw of the combo & axle weights etc. The plated weight of the trailer relates to the maximum weight of the trailer & load & bears no relation to the capacity of the tow vehicle. To bring a successful prosecution you would have to be weighed & proven to be overweight (no jokes please&#128526

willk · 18 December 2015, 17:16

The following is lifted from a Horsey Forum where the members were having the same debate - it's a (part) reply from VOSA:

"Karen I refer to your mail of 20 June to VOSA Enquiries on the above subject which has been passed to me to answer....... There is no technical problem with the gross vehicle weight of the trailer exceeding a car's towing capability providing its actual weight does not exceed the towing capability, or if the car also has a stated train weight on its manufacturers plate and the weight of the car, trailer and load does not exceed that train weight . It is entirely normal for vehicles to tow trailers which have a GVW exceeding the towing or GTW capability. Most HGV artic combinations are like this."

John Kennett · 18 December 2015, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

the letter blurred on my pc have you a link to it or a better copy.

That's the only version that I can find, sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

I wouldn't trust that letter so far as I can throw it.

I certainly wouldn't suggest that anyone relies on it to keep them out of trouble. It's interesting though.

Xk59D · 18 December 2015, 17:50

John,

It is indeed something and offers some comfort.

I find it incredible that not one of us here, who are all towing on regular basis, can't find official information pertaining to this. It would suggest that clarification is required on the official sites.

Poly · 18 December 2015, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

I find it incredible that not one of us here, who are all towing on regular basis, can't find official information pertaining to this. It would suggest that clarification is required on the official sites.

Or it would suggest its not an actual offence and thus, just like it not being illegal to drive a car whilst wearing socks that don't match is not something that is written down. I am aware that there is a differing view, but until that is backed up by pointing to the legislation / regulation which is being breached then it would seem it's more likely to be confusion with driving license offences or overloading. The letter JK posted, the quote Willk has provided along with the absence of any official site suggesting it is an offence would all point to it not being an offence.

Pikey Dave · 18 December 2015, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

The following is lifted from a Horsey Forum where the members were having the same debate - it's a (part) reply from VOSA:

"Karen I refer to your mail of 20 June to VOSA Enquiries on the above subject which has been passed to me to answer....... There is no technical problem with the gross vehicle weight of the trailer exceeding a car's towing capability providing its actual weight does not exceed the towing capability, or if the car also has a stated train weight on its manufacturers plate and the weight of the car, trailer and load does not exceed that train weight . It is entirely normal for vehicles to tow trailers which have a GVW exceeding the towing or GTW capability. Most HGV artic combinations are like this."

Which is what the Cop said

beamishken · 19 December 2015, 11:52

So 55 posts later we've come full circle and we're fine
Phew!!!

Poly · 19 December 2015, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

So 55 posts later we've come full circle and we're fine
Phew!!!

Welcome to the Internet!

oracle · 21 December 2015, 19:56

Thanks for all the input guys. Useful stuff.

Tim M · 21 December 2015, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcd22

One of the prosecutions was a farmer using his Defender to tow an empty farm trailer. Unladen it weighed close to 3000kg but had a MAM of 10000kg. The prosecution resulted in a fine and points.

Surely the main issue here is that the trailer wouldn't have had legal/functioning brakes (overrun up to 3500kg on all axles, air over 3500. Nothing/something else on farm trailers?) Was that the basis for the prosecution or the fact that the max weight was over that specified by Landrover?

beamishken · 22 December 2015, 07:53

I received a reply from the ebay guy I bought a replacement data plate from a while ago . He can replicate any vin plate you need and he was cheap as chips
Strangely ebay has stopped him selling the vin plates on ebay.
Whilst there are many legitimate needs for replacement plates I guess there are many illegal ones too!
His website address if anyone needs to replace a missing or damaged plate is
http://www.vin-plate.co.uk/
Might be helpful for someone