Trailers -mots

PeterR · 25 October 2009, 08:39

I was chatting to a guy at my unit about my trailer when he asked about the mot for it.I told him i had never heard it needed one.I know it doesnt but under what circumstances does a trailer, say car trailer or box trailer need an mot.(if at all)Thanks Peter

Poly · 25 October 2009, 09:47

I'm sure Nos or someone in the "business" will be able to provide a fairly definitive answer - but I think the cut off is at 3500 kg.... life in general gets more complicated at this point (registration of the trailer, licensing for the driver etc).

Nos4r2 · 25 October 2009, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I'm sure Nos or someone in the "business" will be able to provide a fairly definitive answer - but I think the cut off is at 3500 kg.... life in general gets more complicated at this point (registration of the trailer, licensing for the driver etc).

Yep, it needs an MOT at over 3500kg.

Bigmuz7 · 25 October 2009, 20:36

The big problem is .. if this limit gets lowered ... whats the consensus on that happening ?

Mollers · 25 October 2009, 20:45

I've heard talk of it being lowered to include all braked trailers. Imagine trying to keep boat trailer brakes up to MOT standard.

spartacus · 25 October 2009, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I've heard talk of it being lowered to include all braked trailers. Imagine trying to keep boat trailer brakes up to MOT standard.

I can see it now... folk on their driveways in the small hours whacking bearings with large lump hammers the night before the MOT!

Poly · 25 October 2009, 21:11

I think it would be difficult to introduce retrospectively - as it would presumably require each trailer to be marked / identifiable and registerred etc. So if they were to introduce it I would imagine all new trailers would need to be registerred and it would apply to trailers registerred after X date.

However in any case just because the trailer isn't subject to an annual official inspection doesn't actually mean it is allowed to be used in an "unsafe" condition.

Bigmuz7 · 25 October 2009, 21:23

When you see the knick of some of the things people tow its any wonder it hasnt happened before now .. the big difficulty IMO is that it would also have to include the 'bet noir' of towing

.. the caravanner

.. which by and large are actually a safe bet chassis wise .. now where did I leave my C4 explosives ?

willk · 25 October 2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

.. now where did I leave my C4 explosives ?

oh sry, you said I could have them until Monday...

Rogue Wave · 26 October 2009, 00:45

Ouch, If that regulation comes in I'm gonna beg Betajim to make me a trailer! I think it's a damn clever way of towing a boat!

codprawn · 26 October 2009, 02:50

Whats the point when the Police no longer patrol our motorways?

At least they have withdrawn normal patrols from the M4 in South Wales - going around tearing down bonfires before Nov 5th is FAR more important - and I am NOT joking!!!

Richard Selman · 27 October 2009, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I've heard talk of it being lowered to include all braked trailers. Imagine trying to keep boat trailer brakes up to MOT standard.

Might be the trigger to get proper braking systems available in the UK. The US and Aus seem to have much better gear - stainless / alloy or the very least galvanised parts and hydraulic actuation. We get caravan brakes....

Bigmuz7 · 27 October 2009, 20:23

Yeah .. I cant really see what the hold up is myself .. bout time some designer bods got on the case .. I mean I know the chemistry of metals in water aint good .. but we put a guy on the moon 40 years ago FFS .. and dont anyone reply with a 'but did they ?' post

willk · 27 October 2009, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

but we put a guy on the moon 40 years ago FFS .. and dont anyone reply with a 'but did they ?' post

Actually I was going to say "What's this WE business, Paleface?"

Bigmuz7 · 27 October 2009, 22:01

Now you've lost me this time mate .. has imperious mistress 'Ardbeg' cracked the whip on your repentant soul then ?

GerryP · 27 October 2009, 22:18

A friend of mine who builds trailers and sells them on (several makes), mentioned to me the other day that talk from his suppliers is that braked trailers and mots for all will follow. He dreads this as the cost implications will have an big impact on his future sales. That is buy a trailer now, pull it away, no more worries - job done! (Not withstanding wheel bearings). Add an MOT and braked mechanisms - worries, and therefore I won't bother. It won't happen overnight but at some stage it may be all trailers bought after xx/xx/xx must have........ etcetc.
Only time will tell!

Richard Selman · 28 October 2009, 07:10

I would have thought an MOT would be good for trailer vendors. Think of all the increased spare parts usge & servicing and shortened trailer life. People will still need to tow.

miketdt · 06 January 2010, 15:44

Trailers only need an M.O.T when the unladen weight exceeds 3 tons, so for towing only by LGV's