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That would equal 3.7 ton. (the trailer weight was just an example)
Just reading this there here is actually a slight typo in Dan's initial post (hope you don't mind me correcting it Dan!) -
"It seems VOSA are saying that what matters when determining the gross vehicle weight is the ACTUAL trailer weight, and not the PLATED weight.
Of course, it still has to be below the plated weight."
This should read:
It seems VOSA are saying that what matters when determining the gross TRAIN weight of a towing vehicle and trailer is the ACTUAL trailer weight, and not the PLATED weight of the trailer. (on the plate affixed to the TRAILER).
This is a topic that I do understand in depth, having had to deal with it with a previous company that I worked for.
Here's a little image to explain - all we are interested in is the 'kg' part of the plate
2235 - maximum gross VEHICLE weight (no trailer)
4235 - maximum gross TRAIN weight (WITH trailer)
1050 - maximum FRONT axle load on vehicle
1230 - maximum REAR axle load on vehicle
Where this new legislation from VOSA changes things is that basically you can pull ANY trailer with ANY vehicle, so long as you are not exceeding the MAXIMUM gross weight of the vehicle (as stated on the vehicle plate - the largest number) or the MAXIMUM gross weight of the trailer (as stated on the plate on the trailer).
Basically you can tow a 3.5 ton trailer with any vehicle, so long as the weight of trailer and load does not exceed the maximum train weight capacity of the towing vehicle - it used to go on the plated weight of the trailer, now it is the actual weight of the vehicle/trailer combination at that specific time.
Makes life slightly more difficult in a way as now you have to really know the unladen weight of your trailer, which may vary if you have removable sides or ramps - but that's another story!
So Adam, if I understand your example correctly, the most that vehicle could tow is 2000kg GROSS?
In my case - Landrover 110, max train on the VIN plate is 6550kg, so having an ULW of 1950kg, I could tow 4600kg! But I thought I would have to have 'linked brakes' for this weight?
Jon, the trailer manufacturer should have the info. otherwise your local scrap yard will probably weigh your trailer on their weighbridge if you cross their palms with silver!
Richard
Ref Jon @ JWLD - Slightly unsure on that one! - the testing scenario is a difficult one to discuss, basically as you say if you keep under the 750KG limit then IN THEORY, it would be 'out of scope' for needing a test...
A 8x4 Bateson is likely to be quite heavy though, so it depends if this would actually leave you any payload!
I shall do some digging and see if I can confirm this is now 'out of scope'..
Ref Richard Thornton - Correct (from memory that chassis plate is (or was)) on a Ford Scorpio car. As regards linked brakes, I don't know the answer to that one either, but can't see why they would be required (so long as the trailer brakes themselves work OK.
Yes, you could technically tow 4600KG, although highly inadvisable as then the trailer weight would be over the weight of the towing vehicle (also illegal as far as I know, certainly inadvisable anyway). I also don't think you will ever find a trailer plated at this weight that is suitable for towing behind a Landrover as the law restricts all 'light goods' trailers to 3500kg...
Thanks Adam,
I'm more concerned with the Landrovers stopping ability! Whilst the hadbook gives a gross towing weight of 3500kg with overrun, and 4000kg with linked brakes, I won't be trying it!
Thanks for the reminder that the plated weight on the trailer is the gross, not payload!
Richad
Yes I was tired when I typed that! I meant 'gross towing/trailer weight', not 'gross vehicle weight'.
Jon - yes I read the rules to say you can use that Bateson trailer as long as it doesn't actually weigh 750kg or more when full.
Ricgard - I believe there are recommendations that the trailer does not exceed 85% of the towing vehicle weight in addition to all the other rules, so you would not get away with a trailer combo like that!
my take on it is if you have a 2 tonne vehicle you can tow a 1.5 tonne trailer as long as the train weight doesnt exeed 3.5tonnes on a post 1997 licence. ive done extensive research into it as i have a post 97 licence.
if a vehicle has a max train weight of 6.3 ton and you have a 3.5 ton transit you can only legaly tow a 2.8 ton trailer loaded, you CAN NOT to a 3.5 ton trailer, if you get pulled over they will combine the 2 weights and if you are over your train weight then you are breaking the law even if you are only carrying a small amount.
No I'm oretty sure you can still only tow the max towing weight for the vehicle. This is worked out by looking at the van capacity and weight plate (e.g my old transit was 2640gvw, 3500gtw, max trailer = 860kg. This could legally be made up of 800kg trailer and 60kg max load in theory). You couldn't use that van (loaded lightly so the van only weighs 2000kg) with a 1500kg gross weight trailer.
As far as I understand the plated weight of the towing vehicle still stands as the gross weight for towing, the plated weight of the trailer is not relevant though, it's the ACTUAL weight of the trailer that counts.
It would be good the info from direct gov to be more simple and clear.
Matt Brown said:
it very straight forward, if you have a van that has a gross weight of 3 ton and the van has a train weight of 4.5 ton you are allowed to tow a braked trailer of gross 1.5 ton, total van & trailer loaded 4.5 ton, if you trailer has a plate on it that reads gross weight of 1.6 ton you are breaking the law, this is according to the vosa man that pulled me over yesterday, not for being over weight, but for haveing the wrong number plate on my trailer as i forgot to change it over from the day before when i was towing it with my 4x4, police then came along and i was given a £30 fine, it is now sitting in front of me ready to be paid on monday, they never bothered checking anything, not even if the trailer was stolen, never ask for any documents, just issued me with the £30 fine
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