It is a fact that many people involved in this industry tow a trailer, either daily or irregularly.
Regardless of the frequency of use there are some important legal points that need to be observed before taking your trailer on the road. Some of these I knew about, others I didn't (and should have done!) - some came direct from the VOSA on my request following recent random stop checks in my area. Just thought I would share them with you all - who knows they amy save someone a hefty fine one day!
Firstly - brakes and brake away chains/secondary restraint systems - DO YOU need one?
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. (I have a strong padlock and chain that doubles up as an anti theft chain) This now applies even if not fitted as original equipment!
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.
(Both of the points above where enforced as part of recent roadside checks in my area, resulting in several trailers being impounded and several large fines being issued)
Secondly - weights - how much CAN you carry/tow?
No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated gross vehicle weight* of more than 750 kg.
*The combined weight of the trailer and the maximum amount of cargo it is designed to carry.
You also need to know how much weight your vehicle can LEGALLY tow - this information can be found on the chassis plate of all vehicles. So what do the numbers mean?
This is a plate from a Ford Transit T280 (not mine) - this means that the maximum VEHICLE weight allowable is 2640 kg and the maximum allowable vehicle weight WITH a trailer (the gross TRAIN weight) is 3500 kg (this is due to the fact that the T280 is front wheel drive and was not designed for heavy towing) - this allows you LESS than 1000kg for you trailer AND the load that it carries!!
However is you have a T350 Transit (like I do) - then the gross VEHICLE weight is 3500kg and the gross TRAIN weight 5750 kg - giving 2250kg allowable for the trailer AND its load.
Braked trailers should have a similar plate securely fastened to them, normally in the drawbar/tow hitch area.
Thirdly - licencing - what can you legally tow on your licence?
Maximum authorised mass (MAM)
In this article reference is made to the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permissible maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight (as shown on the vehicle/trailer plate).
Car licences held before 1 January 1997
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.
Car driving licence first obtained since 1 January 1997
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E (vehicle up to 3500 kg, towing trailer OVER 750kgs) and all larger vehicles.
There ARE exemptions to this:
Category B vehicles (vehicles with a MAM of 3500 or less) may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.
For example:
- a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
Whereas
- the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle
- Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.
So although my Transit CAN tow up to 2250kg - as I am a 'new style' licence holder, the law restricts me to 750kg - UNTIL I have passed a B+E test (also known as a trailer test).
I hope this information is useful to someone - I shall be adding more information about tachographs etc later - don't want to make the first post TOO long!
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Replies
Excellent post Adam.
Here's a bit more info for you all....
Tachographs
These are NOT just for lorries and HGVS - they CAN become applicable to certain combinations of vehicle and trailer. Full details are available at www.vosa.gov.uk/manuals-and-guides under 'Drivers hours and tachograph guides'.
You should have a tachograph fitted IF your vehicle has a gross train weight of above 3500kg, and you tow a trailer for business purposes.
The majority of the time, the majority of people are exempt as they are carrying and I quote 'Materials,tools and/or machinery for the drivers use in the course of his work AND are operating within a 50km radius of their base'.
However those that carry out hard landscaping on a countrywide basis may be affected by this. The VOSA do check, (a friend of mine getting caught out of this last year) - ignorance is no defence in the eyes of the law.
Tyres
Trailer tyres are subject to the same legal minimum tread depths as car and van tyres, that is to say 1.6mm across the centre three quarters of the tread.
Trailer tyres are more susceptible to perishing than actually wearing out as many sit outside and the UV rays of the sun degrade the sidewalls and can lead to bulges or complete blowout of the tread.
Another point is that trailers should have proper rated tyres fitted. Although some trailers use car type tyres, proper trailer tyres usually have a 'C' rating indicating that it is a commercial tyre (reinforced). The law states that the load rating of the tyres must be at least equivalent to the maximum gross weight of the trailer. The load rating is always stamped into the sidewall of the tyre - usually in the form of 'load rating however many lbs at a certain PSI' Occasionally single or dual ratings may be given.
Security of load
As Paul at PPCH commented in response to the first part of this post, trailer loads should legally be secured.
General requirements for securing loads
The total load restraint system will generally consist of a combination of:
In most circumstances it would be appropriate to obtain the majority of the total restraint required from (a), and the remaining part from (b). Benefits accrued from (c) should be regarded as a bonus.
In view of the wide diversity of general loads it is not possible to suggest loading methods for all the types of load likely to be encountered. However, the basic precautions outlined above will always be applicable. Trailers equipped with headboards, tailboards or sideboards, or van bodies will provide some restraint. Additional load restraint will be required under any of the following conditions:
It is an offence to litter the highway with leaves whilst on your way to the green waste site - we all know it may only be a few loose leaves right off the top of the load but it IS classed as an insecure load. This carries 3 penalty points and normally a large fine....
Thanks for this. You've just reminded me to get a brake away chain, something I have meaning to do for months now.
I have followed numerous wheelie bin cleaning vans which have a constant stream of dirty water coming out of the back whilst driving along. Is this against the law ?
When I bought my trailer I was told I didn't need to cover it. Admittedly that was about 8 years ago, but have things changed? It's the usual Ivor Williams 8x4' with mesh sides, obviously not piled too high and shedding it's load!
Should i be buying a cover?
Paul @ PPCH Services said:
Hi Paul
We use cargo nets on our tippers and trailers. Look on ebay, not that expensive, cheaper than covers.
Paul as long as the load is secured with straps and not able to blow out then you are fine.
Good choice of subject Adam and one we all need to know about.
looking forward to reading more.
just in the process of getting another vehicle of ours fitted with a tacho as its a bit of a mare.
some of our work requires it, then other jobs/trips doesnt when we have taken the trailer off and just looking at jobs etc.
very grey area as to wether this should count as driver hours or not.
looking forward to see how others view/ understand the rules.