Trailer Rules?

[j.i.wilson]

Luke

As you may be discovering this is not really the place to ask your question.

IMHO the more reliable place would be the Caravan Club site, they have many experts in towing law. The downside is as a none member (i assume) you may find access restricted.

The other places I would look is the Gov websites and the Highway Code.

I would also endorse asking a Traffic Officer, you will need to find a helpful one. Despite what has been said (cynically) here, they are knowledgeable.

You are certainly right to check this out.

Finally, you may want check your insurance regarding towing.

Finally finally (!) Be careful on the slipway, watch for green algae which is slippier than ice. And don't hog the slip, get on and off again as quickly as possible.

Happy boating.

An Wilson

[9D280]

Originally Posted by jbavvo

I drive a 1.4L Fiesta which has a rated tow capacity of 900kgs and I've towed several different trailers and weights with it no problems.

That's braked. the 750Kg tops limit still applies. Your unbraked limit is likely going to be nearer 350-400 going simply on a guess of the kerbweight. - bottom line is check the Handbook / V5. Thats what they'll use if you get into a nasty mess with it.

Originally Posted by jbavvo

My towbar was £30 second hand off eBay, fitted myself in about 30 mins, had it checked and wired in by a mobile fitter for an extra £15.

Just one postscript to that - these days the bar itself it needs to be type approved. Not a problem if you buy it new from a reputable source, but be a little more careful if using an Ebay offering.

Originally Posted by jbavvo

If you're planning on launching with it, it's worth practising reversing in an empty car park, for me when I started it was just towing in a straight line - so I've only recently had to practice reversing!

+1.
Absolutely agree

Originally Posted by jbavvo

I'd recommend letting the insurance company know you're towing as well. There's no increase in premium or excess, but it's safer they have it on file.

+1 again. (comes back to the type approval for the bar comment above)

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

Looks like i wont be towing for a while anyway! The engine service is getting more and more expensive

What's happened?

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by j.i.wilson

IMHO the more reliable place would be the Caravan Club site, they have many experts in towing law. The downside is as a none member (i assume) you may find access restricted.

An Wilson

With respect if he got pulled the answer "It's OK the caravan club said it was fine" probably wouldn't stand for much!

[j.i.wilson]

Totally agree, and, with respect, that's not what I meant.

If anyone gets pulled over and gives any excuse, you will still be prosecuted because it is always the driver' responsibility to drive legal. This would happen even if it was the Highway Code being quoted, although this might help in mitigation.

But

It may help to arrive at a conclusion, or, ideally, a definitive reference that makes the situation clear.

Take care

[PeterM]

Can't you print something like this ;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/m...ets/INF30.ashx

Stick it in the car ( just in case) ....

[j.i.wilson]

Now that's about as definitive as it gets, except, perhaps, a court appearance ;-)

Search over.

Would like to add my thanks for the link, very useful.

[EnglishLes]

The other things you need to be aware of when towing are speed limits: these tend to be lower (see https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits) and motorway driving outside lane usage (see https://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-...ine-264-to-266).

[jbavvo]

Originally Posted by 9D280

Just one postscript to that - these days the bar itself it needs to be type approved. Not a problem if you buy it new from a reputable source, but be a little more careful if using an Ebay offering.

Absolutely, I made sure it's type approved and, got the towbar fitter to ensure it was all safe and legal. I couldn't justify paying £300 for professional fitting!

I recently got pulled towing by a traffic officer near Manchester...he insisted I required a towing license (while towing my YAM 330 with no engine with a trailer rated for 350kg), and also insisted that I was speeding at 60mph on the mororway, when the limit is 55mph. Both of which are utter......

Agreed some officers know what they're talking about, and at the same time, there's a lot of laws and technicalities that not everyone knows. I wouldn't ask one for advice - I'd want it on paper.

[m chappelow]

The unbraked 750 kgs trailer rule used to be as I get it is & never had any bother even when stopped by the police for mandatory checks

You can tow an unbraked trailer up to 750 kgs as long as the tow car is double the actual trailer weight .
Eg
Saxo --weight of car 800 kgs so max unbraked trailer you could tow with it would be 400 kgs .
Eg
Zafira ---weight of car 1338 kgs so max unbraked trailer you could tow would be 669 kgs

[m chappelow]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

The unbraked 750 kgs trailer rule used to be as I get it is & never had any bother towing boat over 30 years even when stopped by the police for mandatory checks

As i get it you can tow an unbraked trailer up to 750 kgs as long as the tow car is double the actual trailer weight .
Eg
Saxo --weight of car 800 kgs so max unbraked trailer you could tow with it would be 400 kgs .
Eg
Zafira ---weight of car 1338 kgs so max unbraked trailer you could tow would be 669 kgs

So if you had a ford transit van that weighs 1.5 ton you could tow an unbraked trailer of 750 kgs
over that the trailer needs brakes & it used to be weight for weight unless the towing car was something like a landrover ..

[PeterM]

I always use the sensible rule ....;

If it looks sensible the chance of being stopped reduces.....as I have a 'few' grey hairs and a Hyundai I've never been stopped ....I have towed 'normal' sized things ( not huge triple axle boat trailers or great big yachts)

When I had a 1.1 escort aged 17 I used to tow all sorts (just) and was stopped a few times...

Luke being a 'youth' driving a Saxo towing a quick fancy looking boat = pulled over ....

The fact of where he lives and they maybe have one copper to cover eveything may be his saving grace.

Just the way I see it .....

[Smithyyy]

Originally Posted by EnglishLes

The other things you need to be aware of when towing are speed limits: these tend to be lower (see https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits) and motorway driving outside lane usage (see https://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-...ine-264-to-266).

On the "no trailers in the outside lane" thing - a lot of people seem to think that applies to dual carriageways as well. I've only ever been able to find anything " official" about it as a motorway restriction. Anyone know for sure?

[SW Boat Transport]

Yes it also applies to dual carriageways with 3 or more lanes.

[Silverfox]

Originally Posted by SW RIB Charter

Yes it also applies to dual carriageways with 3 or more lanes.

Doesn't a dual carriageway only have two lanes, and therefore when towing you can go in either. This being the problem when two trucks are trying to pass each other.

[John Kennett]

Dual carriageways can have one, two or three lanes. A three lane dual carriageway will have green road signs and no hard shoulder.


Highway Code section 265 says:

"The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving any vehicle drawing a trailer"

I can't find any mention of dual carriageways. SW RIB Charter have you got a reference for this?

[EnglishLes]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I can't find any mention of dual carriageways.

Nor me.

I have sent an e-mail to Surrey Police asking for confirmation one way or the other. They say they may take up to 10 working days to respond.

[EnglishLes]

This is the response I had from Surrey Police:

Good Morning,

Thank you for your email to Surrey Police.

I have checked our legal database and the only restrictions I can find for a vehicle towing a trailer/caravan etc is that it must not exceed 60mph.

Therefore you should be fine driving in either lane on a dual carriageway so long as you are adhering to the 60mph speed limit.

Kind Regards,

Luke Berry 14202
Contact Centre Agent
Contact Management
Surrey Police

Her use of the word "either" gives me the impression that she also believes a Dual Carriageway has two lanes.

My understanding of a Dual carriageway is that there is a central reservation separating the traffic going in opposite directions - this may be a solid kerb, a grass verge or a barrier.

[SW Boat Transport]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I can't find any mention of dual carriageways. SW RIB Charter have you got a reference for this?

Towing and the Law

[John Kennett]

That says " Towed outfits are not permitted in the outside lane of a three or more lane motorway unless other lanes are closed."

Why do you think it applies to dual carriageways?

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by EnglishLes

My understanding of a Dual carriageway is that there is a central reservation separating the traffic going in opposite directions - this may be a solid kerb, a grass verge or a barrier.

That's correct, and they have 1, 2 or 3 lanes each side. There could be some 4 lane dual carriageways for all I know, but I can't think of any off hand.