Trailer weights confirmation by avon and somerset police

china

china

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Ok so after the trailer thread the other day about tests etc their was cofusion about the rule of

"You may also drive a Class B vehicle and tow a trailer that exceeds 750Kg provided that:-

The combined MAM of both vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3.5 Tonnes and that the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the Unladen Weight of the towing vehicle. "

well i was confused anyway! Having to take the test myself i emailed avon and somerset and a rather nice traffic officer rang me back and explained :-) He basically said:
Using my car as an example. My Discovery has a gross weight of something along the lines of 2700kg, and the trailer has a gross weight of 1600. Combining the two puts you over 3.5t.
Your unladen weight does not come into it, it goes by the max amount your vehicles can carry. Hence why you cannot even tow an empty trailer without B+E entitlement or a person with you on L's.
So unless you have B+E you have to take the test or have someone legal with you with L plates shown even with an empty trailer.

*trailer test fund* Donations greatly recieved :-D
 
Mike007 said:
Which just goes to show that policemen get it wrong as well.
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sounds right to me, otherwise there would be lots of people that would get away withtout taking the test if they had small ponies etc that dont weigh alot. But they dont, i dont know someone post 1997 that has wanted to tow and hasnt had to take their test.
 
Oh, I think I already understand Mike - you can't put L-plates on the trailer?? Am I right? I was under the impression that you couldn't tow a trailer with L plates on....
 
Holly Hocks said:
Oh, I think I already understand Mike - you can't put L-plates on the trailer?? Am I right? I was under the impression that you couldn't tow a trailer with L plates on....
Click to expand...

You can aslong as someone is with you who has the B+E entitlement on their licence, so either pre 1997 or has taken the test. On your paper part of your licence you have a provisional B+E entitlement already so you are fine aslong as someone is with you and you display L's. But there are arguments as to wether you can go on the motorway or not but i always thought not. Have never come across anyone towing on L's on the motorway.
 
I tow with a single trailer with a freelander, the trailer has been down plated, the MAM of the trailer is 1400, the unladen weight of my car is 1700 (therefore more than MAM weight of trailer) the MAM of my car is 2050, so car + trailer = 3450kg and perfectly legal.

I did have to do a LOT of research to find a vehicle with the correct weights and I did have to get my trailer down plated from 1600 to make it work, but I can assure you I am perfectly legal to tow and within the parameters the police man said :)
 
I have heard a few people say they have done this with their trailer. unladed weight of mine is 2080 so i might be pushing it with a down plated trailer. worth looking into. Im due a trip to ralph bailey anyhow!
 
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The conusion is caused by people thinking that the manufacturers plate determines the MAM .It doesnt,the use does.I could for example,perfectly legaly tow an articulated trailer with a manufacturers design weight of 50 tonnes,and a ministry plate of 44 tonnes behind a tractor unit rated at 27 tonnes. The MAM wouild be determined by the lowest factor. Provided I didnt exceed the lowest figure it doesnt matter a damn that the trailer can carry a lot more.
 
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