Towing

[Guest Dredd]

stopped by plod

 

In light of the diverse workforce represented by brother and sister Hood owners, Mr Plod would be more acceptable

 

The legislation relating to trailers is complicated to say the least. Basically it depends on the type of trailer and the design / kerbside weights of the towing vehicle and the trailer. There is certainly no dispensation for specific manufacturers.

[Dave R]

dont forget it depends on the age of the driver too

 

only sad cos i am tooo old for that to apply :boohoo:

[Guest 2bsprint]

only sad cos i am tooo old for that to apply :boohoo:

 

too old? is that one of the new restriction that they have brought in on new licences?

[Grim]

yeah, anyone who passed less than about 7 years ago has to take another test to show they are competant to tow, where people before automatically can. :gdit: :boohoo:

[Guest 2bsprint]

Wow, I didn't know that

[Big Jim]

The rules are;.........................

 

 

Driving Licence

 

Only drivers with full driving licences are allowed to tow trailers. Provisional B category licence holders are not allowed to tow.

 

Licences issued to drivers who passed their car driving test before 1st January 1997 include categories B+E and C1+E which gives them the entitlement to drive motor vehicles up to 7500kg MAM and to tow a trailer providing that the combination of the towing vehicle and trailer does not exceed 8250kg.

 

Drivers who passed their test on or after this date have category B entitlement only, which restricts the entitlement to motor vehicles with up to eight passenger seats and an MAM of up to 3500kg with trailers up to 750kg MAM (4250kg combined), or larger trailers provided the combination of the trailer and towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

 

If they wish to tow trailers which cause these limits to be exceeded, these drivers have to pass an additional test to show that they can competently handle a trailer.

 

Passing the B+E test entitles drivers to tow trailers up to 3500kg MAM with vehicles up to 3500kg MAM.

 

Passing the next level of test (C1+E) will entitle the new driver to drive vehicles up to 7500kg MAM with trailers up to 4500kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

 

Young drivers between 18 and 21 years will be allowed to take the test but will be restricted to vehicles or combinations up to 7500kg until they reach the age of 21, at which time the combined weight of 12000kg will become effective automatically.

 

Note also that drivers who passed their car test before 1st January 1997 and obtained the C1+E entitlement automatically will continue to be restricted to a maximum combined weight of 8250kg unless they pass the C1+E test.

[Grim]

oh right, not quite so restrictive as i'd thought!

[Guest Greg]

If thats true my learnard friend, what stops teh towed car running up the back of the towing vehicle?

 

That ruddy great bent piece of rod that's designed just for that purpose

[Guest salty_monk]

I have a trailer - my mate towed his hood on it the other week & the wheel fell off!!

Luckily no damage except to the indespension unit of the trailer (and his wallet as he had to pay for recovery!!) so I'm now looking round for a couple of new units if anyone has anything kicking about!

I'd like them braked & rated to at least a ton...

 

Don't know what caused it to fall off, old units though & the trailer hadn;t been used for quite some time..

 

Cheers!

[Guest micky bigthumbs]

Now i am cofused after more checking i was given this by a friend who was stopped in a roadside vehicle check.. his wife had to follow in the car before being allowed to cary on...........................

 

'A' frames and Dollies

 

Q. What is a trailer?

A. A road vehicle, usually (but not necessarily) two wheeled, towed by a motor vehicle.Given the above dictionary definition, it is fairly clear that anything attached to the towball and having wheels in contact with the ground is a trailer. This includes cars on ‘A’ frames and dollies. Bearing in mind that the unbraked towing limit of 750 kgs refers to Maximum Gross Weight (i.e. the figure on the towed cars VIN plate) and not to actual weight, it severely restricts the options. The only cars I know of with a MGW of less than 750 kgs is the Aixam range. These are around 450 to 550 kgs.

 

There are strict regulations on braked trailers and, whilst a braked ‘A’ frame attached to a towed car constitutes a braked trailer, it is not legal for transportation as it cannot comply with EC71/320. With car dollies, the situation is somewhat different. Under regulation 83 of the Road Vehicles (construction & Use) Regulations 1986 (SI.1986/1078) Amending Regulations, a car dolly, with a car in place, will be considered as two trailers. This is legal for recovery but, under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 (Schedule 6) the combination is limited to 40 mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 20 mph elsewhere.

 

Note that there is a very specific difference between recovery and transportation. Recovery is the removal of a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. It does not include removing a rotor arm (for instance) and travelling the length and breadth of the country. The police are well aware of the difference due to the regulations covering Tachographs and Operators Licences. Recovery vehicles are exempt.

 

It is well known that some countries in the EEC tend to overlook the regulations (the UK included) but some countries don’t. The situation regarding enforcement could change at any time and, as a result, the only safe way to transport another vehicle behind a motorhome is on a car transporter trailer. Play safe! Don’t take the risk!

 

The regulations which cover this aspect of towing are:-

91/438/EEC covers driving licences.

71/320/EEC covers auto reverse braking systems and couplings.

S.I. 1971 No 450 Part III covers the obstruction of number plates.

94/20/EEC covers type approval of towing equipment and ‘S’ and ‘D’ values.

95/48/EEC covers Masses and Dimensions of M1 class vehicles.

E.T.R.T.O. 1991 section 13 covers wheels and tyres.

BSAU 113c covers 50mm ball and coupling dimensions.

BSAU 24a (1989) covers eye couplings and pin/jaw arrangements.

98/12/EEC covers brake linings and will be implemented in the UK from 1/4/01.And not strictly towing but applicable to motorhomes is EN1648-1 covers extra low voltage installations in Leisure Vehicles and Caravans.

 

So now i dont know what to get

Mick