5 replies to this topic

[GaryB]

I have opened dialogue with the National Trailer Towing Association as a question we (the Association of Car Enthusiasts, www.the-ace.org.uk) are being asked regularly concerns the legality of towing trailers with a plated MTPLM that exceeds the tow cars towing weight, even if the trailer is only lightly loaded so that its ACTUAL weight is under the tow cars towing weight.  We actually know of someone who was stopped by the police and was not allowed to continue his journey because the plated maximum weight of the trailer on tow was over the cars towing limit, even though the trailer was empty and actually well-within.

The reply below is after they had discussions with VOSA and hopefully clarifies what some have found confusing:

The industry previously understood that it was the maximum authorised mass (MAM) for the trailer that was taken into consideration. For example, your towing vehicle with the capability to tow 1,500 kg could not tow a trailer with a MAM of 2,500 kg, even if the trailer wasn't laden and the unladen weight was, say, 800 kg.

However, in recent times VOSA has clarified this by saying that they would assess the actual mass of the trailer being towed and if this is below that which the vehicle is permitted to tow, then that would be acceptable.

Their response to us when asked read:


In response to your email I would like to confirm that when a vehicle is towing a trailer,it is the actual weight of the vehicle, trailer and load which is important in determining a vehicle’s compliance with legal weight thresholds, not the potential carrying capacity. Therefore it would be irrelevant whether the maximum permitted weight of the trailer was above that which the car can tow, it is only the 'in use' weight which can be considered.



Obviously this seeks to clarify weight thresholds only as other considerations may preclude for example category of driving licence held.

Clearly, there are other considerations and ultimately it would be for the courts to decide but it would seem that the answer to your immediate question is, Yes.

I have also asked them to clarify the situation for "B" category licence holders, ie. If someone has a car with a maximum gross weight of 2100kgs and a caravan with a plated MTPLM of 1425kgs (over their maximum gross train weight limit of 3500kgs by 25kgs), would they be legal if the caravan were only loaded to 1400kgs?  I suspect the answer is "yes", but it would be nice to know from those "in the know".

[RogerL]

It's not an easy situation to get your head round - you need to separate the restrictions on outfit from the restrictions on drivers' licences because they're worded in law very differently.

The Gross Train Weight of a towing vehicle must not be exceeded by the actual weight of the laden towcar plus laden trailer - in other words "actual weights"

For a B only licence holder then the sum of the plated maximum weight for the car plus the plated maximum weight for a braked trailer must not exceed 3500kg (different calculation for unbraked trailers) - currently the MTPLM of the trailer must also not exceed the kerbweight (aka Mass In Service) of the towcar but this requirement is being dropped in the near future - in other words "maximum weights".

So the answer to your question is no !!

[Surfer]

I was under the impression that a B licence allows you to tow a maximum gross train weight up to 4200kgs?  The gov uk website seemed to indicate this unless I read it incorrectly and misunderstood.

[RogerL]

Surfer, on 06 July 2012 - 10:08 AM, said:

I was under the impression that a B licence allows you to tow a maximum gross train weight up to 4200kgs?  The gov uk website seemed to indicate this unless I read it incorrectly and misunderstood.

There are two parts to the limit for B only licence holders - as this is a caravan forum I covered braked trailers only - my bad!

They can drive a vehicle up to 3500kg towing an unbraked trailer up to 750kg, ie 4250kg in total.

The can also drive an outfit up to 3500kg maximum gross train weight where the trailer is braked.

Trailers cannot exceed 750kg unless they have brakes.

[Bill Lord]

GaryB, on 05 July 2012 - 08:45 PM, said:

I have also asked them to clarify the situation for "B" category licence holders, ie. If someone has a car with a maximum gross weight of 2100kgs and a caravan with a plated MTPLM of 1425kgs (over their maximum gross train weight limit of 3500kgs by 25kgs), would they be legal if the caravan were only loaded to 1400kgs?  I suspect the answer is "yes", but it would be nice to know from those "in the know".

In terms of simple weight considerations the answer is yes, however, the over riding condition is the licence conditions and they specifies that the limit is the sum of the two MAMS ( maximum authorised weight ) and that this must be less than 3500kg  and since the sum of the MAMS in your case is 3525kg then you would be technically in breach of your licence conditions so unless you were accompanied by a driver with a B+E licence and were displaying L plates you could be prosecuted for the offences.

[Surfer]

RogerL, on 06 July 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

There are two parts to the limit for B only licence holders - as this is a caravan forum I covered braked trailers only - my bad!

They can drive a vehicle up to 3500kg towing an unbraked trailer up to 750kg, ie 4250kg in total.

The can also drive an outfit up to 3500kg maximum gross train weight where the trailer is braked.

Trailers cannot exceed 750kg unless they have brakes.

Thanks Roger.  Clear as mud now.  I think I got mixed up with all the waffle they put on the sites.