Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Car for Towing  (Read 11230 times)

Antz

  • Joined May 2011
Re: Car for Towing
« Reply #15 on: June 08, 2011, 12:09:40 pm »
There's a lot of confusion about the need to pass an extra test for towing if you passed your driving test after 1997.
As far as I understand, there is no need for an extra test if you are towing a trailer lighter than the car manufactures recommends, and the total weight of car and trailer is under 3500kg.
I lot of people think that you can't tow anything until you have passed a test which is not true. However it may well be a good idea to get some qualified instruction before towing for the first time regardless.

TheCaptain

  • Joined May 2010
Re: Car for Towing
« Reply #16 on: June 08, 2011, 12:31:05 pm »
Drivers Licence

Holders of driving licences issued before July 1996 and providing that they have Group A or if after 1990, category B, are entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to a maximum train weight of 8.25 tons.

However holders of car licences issued after July 1996 will only be able to drive a vehicle and trailer combination of up to 3500kg assuming that the trailer and its load are lighter than the towing vehicle.  ie. a 2000kg vehicle with a 1500kg trailer.  To tow a larger trailer weighing up to 3500kg a B + E licence must be obtained.Size

Unless you are towing with a vehicle equipped with an air brakes system that is capable of being connected to the trailer, the heaviest trailer allowed on UK roads is 3500kg gross wt.

Maximum length (excluding coupling and drawbar)                7 metres

Maximum width                                                               2.55 metres

Check the manufacturer's recommended towing weight limit for your vehicle.  This should be in the handbook and on the VIN plate on the chasis.

Unbraked trailers

No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated gross vehicle weight* of more than 750 kg. No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated gross vehicle weight that is more than half the kerb weight of the vehicle that is towing it.

*The combined weight of the trailer and the maximum amount of cargo it is designed to carry.

Braked Trailers

 Although trailers with overrun brakes can weigh up to 3500kg gross, actual maximum weights are set by the specifications of the vehicle that is doing the towing. The law says you must not exceed the Gross Train Weight that the manufacturer has set for the towing vehicle. Look in the vehilce handbook or on a plate riveted to the vehicle to find this figure. You then have to subtract the weight of the towing vehicle (including fuel, driver, passengers, luggage or cargo) from the Gross Train Weight. The amount you are left with is the maximum theoretically-possible weight of trailer that can be towed legally. REMEMBER, the law does not care whether the trailer is empty or packed to the roof with bricks, what counts is the plated gross vehicle weight of the trailer.

Loading

Your load must be securely tied down.

Check your load doesn’t exceed the trailer's specification.
Loads should be evenly distributed and recommended nose weight limit should not be exceeded.
Load projections should be avoided to minimise risk to others.
Lighting for Trailers

Trailers must have two red sidelights, two red stop lights, a number plate light, two triangular red reflectors and amber indicators (which flash between 60 and 120 times per minute) at the rear.   Trailers over 1.3m wide must also have one fog lamp, mounted either in the centre of the vehilce or to the right of centre.  Front reflectors are required for trailers less than 1.6m wide and front position lights for trailers wider than 1.6m.

Number Plates

Trailers are required to have legal number plates manufactured by a licensed number plate manufacturer.

Couplings

Trailers should be fitted with 50mm ball coupling to ISO and BSI standards.

Unbraked trailers must have a stout secondary coupling, such as a chain, which is connected securely to the towing vehicle when it is being towed.  The secondary coupling must be tight enough to prevent the trailer's tow hitch from hitting the ground if the vehicle becomes uncoupled.

Braked trailers must be fitted with hydraulically damped coupling and auto reverse brakes to give braking efficiencies required by EEC Directive 71/320.   All wheels must be braked. Braked trailers must be fitted with a breakaway cable. This must be attached to the towing vehicle in such a manner so that, should the trailer become detached, the breakaway cable will operate the trailer's brakes. It is not advisable to connect the breakaway cable to the towball itself, unless it cannot be avoided. Most tow bars have either a drilled hole, or pigtail attachment, specifically intended to accept the breakaway cable's spring clip.

Braked trailers must be fitted with a parking brake that operates on at least two road wheels on the same axle.

Speed

The maximum speed limit for trailers is 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. The limit  on other roads is 50mph unless a lower road speed limit is in operation.   Trailers are not permitted in the outside lane of motorways.

Towing vehicle

Having ensured that the towing vehicle is suitable size for the trailer, ensure that the towing bracket is of an approved type and is properly secured.  A 50mm diameter towing ball is mormally required to British Standard BS AU113L 1979 or ISO Standard 1103, this will have a flat top which is stamped ISO 50.

If the towing jaw is used it must comply with the requirements of BS AU 24 1964

ballingall

  • Joined Sep 2008
  • Avonbridge, Falkirk
Re: Car for Towing
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2011, 10:14:34 am »
Rules and regulations are so depressingly LONG. But useful info TheCaptain, thanks. I always forget that- I keep thinking I will have to make the OH take the test, but in actual fact he doesn't need to.


To go back to the orginal question, we used to have the little 6x4 Ifor Williams trailer- should have kept it really when we got the bigger one because it is so useful. I have always found it's best to use a car with a 1.6 engine to tow it, and preferabley a diesel engine copes better with it. Did once use a 1.4 engine when the trailer was empty, but I don't think the engine on that would be enough to put anything much into the trailer!

It towed beautifully behind my 1.8 diesel Citroen (Berlingo style) van for years. But also could be taken, as long it wasn't loaded too heavily, by my old 1.6 diesel Astra.

Beth

 

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