light weight trailers?

[9tails]

So there is no modification to the trailer? What's the purpose then? I don't really understand it...

The purpose is to be legal for B licence holder. The law states that the B licence holder can only tow to a max weight of 3500 but the trailer must conform to this rule. So the trailer must have a plate saying that it can only carry say 1500kg because you need to go with MAM and not actual weight.

 

[ROG]

Licences work on plated weights unless the vehicle has 10+ seats in which case it comes under PCV rules

In the case for towing a trailer over 750 kg on a B licence the extra rule on top of all the usual towing rules is that the total of the plated weights must not exceed 3500

That means the plated MAM (GVW) of the towing vehicle added tt the plated MAM (or MTPLM for caravans) of the trailer cannot legally total more than 3500

As it is way too difficult, if possible at all, to down plate (reduce) the GVW of a vehicle then down plating the trailer is done

As has been stated, the trailer empty weight remains the same but reducing the MAM means less can be put into it

Here are a couple of examples to help see the difference using the same vehicle and trailer -

1 = with a B+E licence
Vehicle GVW 2100
towing capacity 1600
Trailer MAM 2500
empty 900
max load for trailer 700 (1600 - 900 = 700) - 1600 is the lower figure between trailer MAM 2500 and towing capacity 1600
total GVW/MAM 4600 ( 2100 + 2500 = 4600)

2 = with a B licence
Vehicle GVW 2100
towing capacity 1600
Trailer MAM 2500 but down plated to 1400
empty 900
max load for trailer 500 (1400 - 900 = 500) - 1400 is the lower figure between trailer MAM 1400 and towing capacity 1600
total GVW/MAM 3500 ( 2100 + 1400 = 3500)

I hope those examples help

 

[Equi]

The purpose is to be legal for B licence holder. The law states that the B licence holder can only tow to a max weight of 3500 but the trailer must conform to this rule. So the trailer must have a plate saying that it can only carry say 1500kg because you need to go with MAM and not actual weight.

I see I see. So then it is illegal to tow a heavier load in that particular trailer? Even with a trailer license?

 

[ROG]

I see I see. So then it is illegal to tow a heavier load in that particular trailer? Even with a trailer license?

The max a trailer and its load can be is determined by the lower of two things -
The trailer plated MAM
The vehicle towing capacity

Examples where the trailer is 800 empty

Trailer MAM 2000
Towing capacity 1600
Trailer can be loaded with 800
800 + 800 = 1600

Trailer MAM 1400
Towing capacity 1600
Trailer can be loaded with 600
800 + 600 = 1400

 

[cg91]

Can I ask if you have heard much about the bateson derby trailers? I've seen a few people state they got them as they are only 675kg and can tow fine with a normal license.

 

[ROG]

Can I ask if you have heard much about the bateson derby trailers? I've seen a few people state they got them as they are only 675kg and can tow fine with a normal license.

Plenty with B licences use them as they are the lightest ones I know of but the usually need down plating as they come with a 1700 MAM
The Bateson cost is about a tenner to down plate so cheaper than IW trailers

With them being only 675 empty they can be used with higher GVW vehicles on a B licence

Example -
GVW 2200
Towing capacity 1600

Derby trailer
empty 675
MAM 1700 then down plated to 1300
Max trailer load 625

Using a HB401/3 with the same vehicle and down plating to 1300 would only leave 520 for the trailer load