Trailer law and ratings

oracle · 16 December 2015, 19:45

Hi,

I need to test my understanding of trailer law and see if anyone can help if I've got it right

I have a trailer a few years old. I bought it over specced as I always like to have a bit of a margin for error so the trailer is a 3 tonne model even though the rig only weighs in at around 2000kg.

I understand the law is now that I need to have a vehicle that can handle the full plated capacity of the trailer despite what the actual weight of the package is.

I am looking to downsize tow vehicle and wondered if it is legitimate to re plate the trailer down to 2500kg (the capacity of the vehicle I'm looking to downsize to).

If this is possible can anyone suggest how I'd go about getting an id plate made for the new rating? Who can produce plates?

Thanks for your help,

ShinyShoe · 16 December 2015, 22:02

You can down plate. Contact the trailer manufacturer in the first instance.

There is a lot of ambiguity if you need to downplate... you'll get someone who says you must, someone else who says you don't need to... And most of the rules on gov.uk are written in double jibberish...

beamishken · 16 December 2015, 22:18

I thought the rule was the actual load was what mattered ie you could tow a trailer rated 3.5 tonnes with a. 2.5 tonne rated car and be ok as long as the weight is below 2.5 tonne

Trailer Guy · 16 December 2015, 22:26

Yes, it's what the trailer's plated to that counts. As said above: have a chat with the manufacturer and see if they can assist.

beamishken · 16 December 2015, 22:53

Oh dear I alternate a goods trailer between a merc ml and a hilux ill have to get another plate and some velcro I guess

Last Tango · 16 December 2015, 23:16

And if the plates just fell off and you had no idea how old the trailer was ??

beamishken · 16 December 2015, 23:30

I guess the big question is has anyone ever been procecuted for towing an overrated trailer that is not overloaded ie loaded within the cars tow capacity
I actually thought I'd read the opposite on this forum but I guess you shouldn't believe everything you read on forums

Xk59D · 17 December 2015, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

I guess the big question is has anyone ever been procecuted for towing an overrated trailer that is not overloaded ie loaded within the cars tow capacity
I actually thought I'd read the opposite on this forum but I guess you shouldn't believe everything you read on forums

My friend was fined for this very thing, not a boat trailer though, was a completely empty ifor Williams trailer behind his astra car. Only doing someone a favour and got fined for it. I think he said was circa £300 but I maybe wrong, was a while ago he told me. BTW it was in largs so pretty close to home!

Didn't go to weight bridge or anything, was done on the trailer plated gvw and car gvw.

beamishken · 17 December 2015, 08:18

Hmm bugger that realy is a pita I wonder if the astra and ifor combo looked wrong to attract attention
My goods trailer is 3.5t and hilux is 2.7t but together They don't look wrong
Looks like I'll need another plate for it but there only pennies off eBay and I doubt anyone would know the difference

Last Tango · 17 December 2015, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

but there only pennies off eBay and I doubt anyone would know the difference

Can't find them............?

oracle · 17 December 2015, 08:48

Thanks for the replies guys. The further complication I didn't mention is that the original manufacturer is no longer about (Becktons). Hence the question about sourcing plates.

Would a diy one from ebay be legal or just help to avoid drawing attention?

The rig should still look right, it'll hopefully be a 4x4 doing the pulling but as manufacturers go for cleaner engines all but the hard core are all dropping their towing capacities.

bedajim · 17 December 2015, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Can't find them............?

Aluminium New Plate Compliance Id Tag Small Horse Float Car Bike Boat Trailer

beamishken · 17 December 2015, 12:10

111848790845
Check that no on ebay I got a plate off this guy a while ago and it was very cheap but he doesn't have the plates listed now so I've mailed him asking if he can still do plates
The listing no above is for a very cheap set of stamps which is a start

HughN · 17 December 2015, 13:36

As easy on the eye as that listing is, the plate looks iffy. I would have thought that having a dodgy plate would fall foul of some other laws and get you into more trouble.

paintman · 17 December 2015, 14:48

A Google of the 'Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989' as on the plate in bedajim's post says it's Australian.

ETA You might have more luck with this one: http://www.vin-plate.co.uk/

Mcd22 · 17 December 2015, 15:17

Down rating a trailer is very easy to do. You can simply put a replacement vin plate on with the reduced weight this is fine as long as you copy all the other details over i.e. chassis number etc. Another option is to get the gross weight on the original trailer plate struck through and the new reduced weight put alongside it. At the roadside I don't mind seeing a plate that has been reduced in weight but I will put it on the scales to check its not over that figure. If your over the new gross weight on the trailer though then your in for a very expensive day.....

oracle · 17 December 2015, 15:28

That's great thanks for that.

I think the new plate is the way to go so that if necessary the old one can be reinstated.
Another trip to the weighbridge will confirm that I haven't added too much since the last visit. She was only 1960kg at the last visit so plentY in hand to consider 2500kg rating,

Now I just need to find the plates, do the ones at VIN-PLATESÂ* :: Replacement Vehicle Identification Number Plates for trailers, cars, caravans, motorbikes. look right?

Thank for the help guys.

Mcd22 · 17 December 2015, 15:32

Their marine boat section has the plates that are ideal. Just copy the details from the old plate.

HughN · 17 December 2015, 16:14

The trailer for my hardboat doesn't have a VIN plate. It is the trailer upon which the boat was delivered 45 years ago. It is well-maintained and up to snuff w.r.t lighting, etc., and the local unmanned VOSA weighbridge gave me the confidence that the actual weight is within the limits of my license and the tow vehicle. I actually wouldn't mind paying for a yearly 'trailer MoT' to prove all this - such a system would also weed out some of the 'things' I see being towed to/and from the local tip (and that should be left there).

Landlockedpirate · 17 December 2015, 17:42

As I have said before, its the actual weight of the trailer behind the car that matters NOT the plated maximum.

I was stopped on the M6 by the most (Trailer wise) switched on copper I have ever met. I was towing my empty 3500kg trailer with my wifes CRV (Only rated to tow 2000kg). Trailer on its own weighs 700kg. He checked the plate on the trailer, checked the max tow weight of the car (plate on door jam), checked some kind of database via his radio. No issues at all. He was actually looking for a stolen trailer.

But he did ask if I towed the boat with the CRV

I am 99% certain that all this hot air flying round the internet regarding tow cars with tow weights to match or exceed max plated weight on trailers is rubbish. But I am happy to be proved wrong, can anyone actually show me the piece of legislation ?