Downplating a trailer - anyone done it?

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Vodkagirly

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Hi

Looking at 4x4's to buy and since I will only ever tow 1 horse, he won't travel with company, the ones I'm thinking of have maximum tow capacity of around 2000kg however if I use an Ifor 505 that has a maximum capacity of 2300kg so if I am understanding the law right I will neeed to get it down plated. The DVLA site seems to be very vague and just implies that a new plate is put in - is this correct?

thanks
 
Yes, just get a new plate made up, there's no paperwork involved - I turned the existing one over, had the new details imprinted on the blank side and refitted. Make sure that you can carry all you need under the new weight (trailer, horse and stuff), and never exceed it.
 
Oh im only 11 stone and my horse can carry about 16 stone do I need to get him down plated ???? seriouly the only reason to do this is if you havent got trailer intitelement on your licence IE you passed after 1997 and havent done the towing test,,, other wise leave it as it is there is no legal reason whatsoever..
 
Digger66 said:
Yes, just get a new plate made up, there's no paperwork involved - I turned the existing one over, had the new details imprinted on the blank side and refitted. Make sure that you can carry all you need under the new weight (trailer, horse and stuff), and never exceed it.
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I bet you Could down plate your wheel barrow too:D christ where do people get these stupid ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????
 
Vodkagirly said:
Hi

Looking at 4x4's to buy and since I will only ever tow 1 horse, he won't travel with company, the ones I'm thinking of have maximum tow capacity of around 2000kg however if I use an Ifor 505 that has a maximum capacity of 2300kg so if I am understanding the law right I will neeed to get it down plated. The DVLA site seems to be very vague and just implies that a new plate is put in - is this correct?

thanks
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No not correct it is what weight you are ACTUALY towing not the design weights
simple....
 
As I understood it the new laws areyou need to have a enough capacity to tow the maximum shown on the plate on your trailer as well as not being actually over the capacity. Is this not correct?
I can borrow an Ifor 505 untill I purchase my own.
 
My car can tow 2 tonnes and I had my trailer downrated to match. have no idea if this is legally necessary but it certainly makes me feel better. And I don't exceed the weight. Ifor Williams were extremely helpful about it.
 
How I understand it, is that you are legal as long as you don't exceed the max towing weight for the vehicle used to tow, so take into account the weight of the trailer (not max weight laden) plus horse and anything else loaded into the trailer. And/or that you don't exceed the limit permitted to tow on your licence.
 
winterwood said:
How I understand it, is that you are legal as long as you don't exceed the max towing weight for the vehicle used to tow, so take into account the weight of the trailer (not max weight laden) plus horse and anything else loaded into the trailer. And/or that you don't exceed the limit permitted to tow on your licence.
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Correct 100%....
 
Vodkagirly said:
As I understood it the new laws areyou need to have a enough capacity to tow the maximum shown on the plate on your trailer as well as not being actually over the capacity. Is this not correct?
I can borrow an Ifor 505 untill I purchase my own.
Click to expand...
Totaly wrong its how much you are towing not the trailers max design weight.. this downplating myth seems to have caught out quite a few folks ...
 
horsemadmum1 said:
My car can tow 2 tonnes and I had my trailer downrated to match. have no idea if this is legally necessary but it certainly makes me feel better. And I don't exceed the weight. Ifor Williams were extremely helpful about it.
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Its funny what makes people feel better !!!! maybe im a bit strange but just had a long hot bath and a couple of glasses of red wine andI feel better than an hour ago when I stank of horse pee:D
 
I had my Ifor Williams 401 downplated, had to get a new plate via my local Williams dealership. The downplating was free.

I don't have my B+E, however if the FULLY laden weight of the trailer (on plare) is LESS than the unladen weight of the tow vehicle & the FULLY laden weight of both is less thant 3.5 tonnes, you are ok to tow without it. Hence the down plateing of the trailer. Still have 630kg pay load in trailer so for a single trailer, downplating really isn't a problem! :D
 
I'm an old bugger so no issues with license, just want to check all the i's and dot the t's :D:D:D:D
You wouldn't believe how much stress it is when you start competing at 34.......
 
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