ROG
Well-Known Member
I have been reliably informed that Sussex police are having a blitz on those towing trailers
They are especially checking that the driver has the correct licence because if not it does invalidate the insurance therefore giving the driver 6 penalty points and a fine of between £200 to £300 as well as the vehicle/trailer possibly being seized
I am posting what I have in the HHO TOWING CLINIC thread - link below in my signature - so that it may help
PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO THE HHO TOWING CLINIC THREAD AS I HAVE AN EMAIL ALERT SET UP FOR IT - THANKS
Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained
The towing vehicle GVW can be obtained from the V5 registered keepers form listed as maximum permissible mass, the handbook, or a plate somewhere on the vehicle usually under bonnet or hidden in a door frame the top of the 4 figures is the GVW.
GVW, MAM or MTPLM means maximum permissible legal weight when fully loaded.
Towing capacity (manufacturer actual towing weight limit) not legally enforceable in the RTA but based on safety and engine power.
GTW - the max legal weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.
In most cases, the GVW added to the towing capacity will also be the GTW.
The trailer info can be obtained from a plate on the trailer, by calling the trailer manufacturer, or on the internet. If no plate then the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating will be used by the authorities to determine the MAM to a maximum of 3500 even if the total is more than that.
There is no law or rule which states that the towing capacity of a vehicle must be able to cope with the plated MAM of a trailer but there are plenty of internet myths on this.
The only legally recognised way to down plate a trailer of 3500 kgs MAM or less is to contact the trailer manufacturer usually at very little cost.
The laws/rules are these for both B+E & B licence towing.
The GVW of the vehicle must not be exceeded (RTA law)
The GTW must not be exceeded (RTA law)
The plated MAM of the trailer must not be exceeded (RTA law).
The towing capacity should not be exceeded (can be prosecutable under C&U regulation 100).
The lower of the trailer MAM or the towing capacity must/should be used as the maximum actual weight when loaded.
For B licence towing with a trailer over 750 kgs MAM.
The vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM must not exceed 3500 kg (RTA law)
EXAMPLE
Vehicle
GVW 2050 kg
Towing capacity 1700 kg
GTW 3750 kg
Trailer
Un-laden/empty 700 kg
MAM 2000 kg
For B+E licence towing the trailer can be loaded with 1000 kgs because 1000+700=1700 kg which is the towing capacity.
For B licence towing the trailer would need down plating from 2000 kgs to a maximum of 1450 kg.
The reason is that 1450+2050=3500 which is the maximum allowed for B licence towing.
The trailer can be loaded with 750 kg because 750+700=1450 kg which is the trailer MAM.
Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing advice.
They are especially checking that the driver has the correct licence because if not it does invalidate the insurance therefore giving the driver 6 penalty points and a fine of between £200 to £300 as well as the vehicle/trailer possibly being seized
I am posting what I have in the HHO TOWING CLINIC thread - link below in my signature - so that it may help
PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO THE HHO TOWING CLINIC THREAD AS I HAVE AN EMAIL ALERT SET UP FOR IT - THANKS
Trailer towing:- B and B+E licence rules explained
The towing vehicle GVW can be obtained from the V5 registered keepers form listed as maximum permissible mass, the handbook, or a plate somewhere on the vehicle usually under bonnet or hidden in a door frame the top of the 4 figures is the GVW.
GVW, MAM or MTPLM means maximum permissible legal weight when fully loaded.
Towing capacity (manufacturer actual towing weight limit) not legally enforceable in the RTA but based on safety and engine power.
GTW - the max legal weight the vehicle and trailer can ACTUALLY weigh when added together. This does not refer to the total of the vehicle GWV and trailer MAM weights.
In most cases, the GVW added to the towing capacity will also be the GTW.
The trailer info can be obtained from a plate on the trailer, by calling the trailer manufacturer, or on the internet. If no plate then the total of the TYRE LOAD RATINGS http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating will be used by the authorities to determine the MAM to a maximum of 3500 even if the total is more than that.
There is no law or rule which states that the towing capacity of a vehicle must be able to cope with the plated MAM of a trailer but there are plenty of internet myths on this.
The only legally recognised way to down plate a trailer of 3500 kgs MAM or less is to contact the trailer manufacturer usually at very little cost.
The laws/rules are these for both B+E & B licence towing.
The GVW of the vehicle must not be exceeded (RTA law)
The GTW must not be exceeded (RTA law)
The plated MAM of the trailer must not be exceeded (RTA law).
The towing capacity should not be exceeded (can be prosecutable under C&U regulation 100).
The lower of the trailer MAM or the towing capacity must/should be used as the maximum actual weight when loaded.
For B licence towing with a trailer over 750 kgs MAM.
The vehicle GVW added to the trailer MAM must not exceed 3500 kg (RTA law)
EXAMPLE
Vehicle
GVW 2050 kg
Towing capacity 1700 kg
GTW 3750 kg
Trailer
Un-laden/empty 700 kg
MAM 2000 kg
For B+E licence towing the trailer can be loaded with 1000 kgs because 1000+700=1700 kg which is the towing capacity.
For B licence towing the trailer would need down plating from 2000 kgs to a maximum of 1450 kg.
The reason is that 1450+2050=3500 which is the maximum allowed for B licence towing.
The trailer can be loaded with 750 kg because 750+700=1450 kg which is the trailer MAM.
Caravan weights work on a slightly different system as they take into account the recommended (not legal) 85% towing advice.