Towing Advice - single horse trailers

esp1

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Hi everyone, i've read about a zillion forum entries about towing and im still seriously confused!

basically i'd like to know the MAM of the old rice single horse trailers (the ones that look like a shed on wheels!)?

and also whether i can legally tow one with a 06 plate mondeo estate 2.0L TDCI? (i have a new licence - post 97). im not thick im just really struggling with the maths of it all!

if anyone out there can help i'd be very grateful!!!!
 
Ring up the DLA about being able to tow a single horse trailer (the fact that you are post 97') as I don't know with todays new towing laws. I knew you could before i think, being it's a single but probably not (as that's life.. lol)

Right the Maxed towing weight braked is 1800kg. So you a) need to make sure your trailer's towing weight is obviously alot under this and that their towing ability is also under it (or else you will have to get it replated) Probably not though as it's a single. Call up Rice (I think they are RiceRichardson now) and get the trailer info off of them.

Goodluck.x
 
Law states (taken from a goverment website)

[ QUOTE ]
Motor vehicles with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, no more than eight passenger seats, with or without a trailer - weighing no more than 750 kg

OR

As category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750 kg. The total weight of the vehicle and the trailer together can’t weigh more than 3,500 kg. The weight of the trailer, when fully loaded, can’t weigh more than the unladen weight of the vehicle

[/ QUOTE ]

One day I will get round to phoning the DVLA and asking if that's correct.

So - you're allowed to drive up to 3500kg on a new license, including a trailer. But the car must weight more than the trailer so the max trailer you can pull is 1749kg (if you have a 1751kg car you can pull a 1749kg trailer (although you have to take into account the weight of fuel, passengers etc))

A rice trailer will def weight less than 1750kg but you will need to know the kerb weight of the car (plus passengers etc). Don't not if the car is legally able to pull the rices trailers MAM though.
 
Remember also you can get a trailer legally downrated so you can tow it with some cars. I've had my IW505 downrated to 1800kg as I only ever take one horse, and tow it with my E and S class Mercedes saloons. I hated towing with my Jeep. My local IW dealer did it for me and said they have done quite a few recently. You can get it uprated again if you want to sell it. Mine will be for sale soon as I am looking for a 3.5 tonne lorry so I will just take it along and get it checked at the same time.
 
no with a new license after 1 january 1997 you have to do another test to be able to tow any trailer capable of carrying more than 750kg which even a single horsebox will probably exceed. on the trailer it should have a plate with MAM on it.

as for the mondeo, personally wouldnt advise it but thats not to say it isn't capable.
 
ok i could be wrong here's a website with better info on
http://www.johnexley.co.uk/jedtagri.htm
than my brain can manage
tongue.gif


but i recently had trailer lesson and what i first posted is basically what instructor said so
confused.gif
 
If you passed your driving test after 1997 you definitely have to take another test to pull a trailer of more than 750kg. I've just done it!

I'm not sure of the weight of that particular trailer and whether the Mondeo would legally tow it. Sorry can't help with that part. Definitely speak to Rice and find out the weight of the Mondeo. The DVLA website has the MAM rules etc. so you can then work out whether you'd be legal.

Good luck with the test if you do it!
 
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