'Braked Trailers'
Discussion
Hi,
Do any of you know how much a typical braked trailer weighs?
Oh, and how much it would cost?
Just interested, wondering if my car has the towing capability (1260kg) to tow a braked trailer with a lightish car (VX220) on it.
The 220 weighs ~875Kg so as long as the trailer was around 200->250kg I'd probably be ok.
Cheers
Do any of you know how much a typical braked trailer weighs?
Oh, and how much it would cost?
Just interested, wondering if my car has the towing capability (1260kg) to tow a braked trailer with a lightish car (VX220) on it.
The 220 weighs ~875Kg so as long as the trailer was around 200->250kg I'd probably be ok.
Cheers
I've just bought a Super Sport trailer from PRG (www.prgtrailers.co.uk) – it's 14ft and weighs about 400kg, with a load capacity of 1400kg.
bengie said: Oh, it looks like I'll have to knock that idea on the head then...
Why? A small trailer (but big enough for a VX220) should come in at under 400kg, and will probably have something like a 1300kg load capacity. I know it's not strictly legal, but it's only a few kgs difference. Maybe not worth the risk, but depends how often you want to use it.
incorrigible said: Benjie
Can I interest you in a Range Rover ??
No thanks
It was just an idea, to use nice & economical (& high milage) Astra to take posh car places. But Posh car would be fairly economical anyway, so cost of tow-bar / trailer etc can't really be justified.
Maybe it's something I'll still look into, was just casting about for ideas - as I had no previous knowledge...
Cheers!
As it happens I emailed Brian James on Monday to ask how much their trailers weigh for this very reason.
Their new Clubman 1200 (just about the smallest trailer they do) weighs 400kg and they said it was the lightest trailer on the market.
1KG over the towing limit and you risk 3 points and a fine. Its not worth it.
Their new Clubman 1200 (just about the smallest trailer they do) weighs 400kg and they said it was the lightest trailer on the market.
1KG over the towing limit and you risk 3 points and a fine. Its not worth it.
spnracing said: As it happens I emailed Brian James on Monday to ask how much their trailers weigh for this very reason.
Their new Clubman 1200 (just about the smallest trailer they do) weighs 400kg and they said it was the lightest trailer on the market.
1KG over the towing limit and you risk 3 points and a fine. Its not worth it.
been there,done that,not funny,6 points
The problem with towing large trailers at the rear of a car is that the car becomes subject to axle weights, a train weight and the tyres are also subject to weight restrictions. It is all a very complex combination and can very easily lead you into trouble.
You do not want to get done for being overweight (in your vehicle although around your middle will not help matters as the vehicle will be weighed with you in it!!). It is a very big fine!
You do not want to get done for being overweight (in your vehicle although around your middle will not help matters as the vehicle will be weighed with you in it!!). It is a very big fine!
madcop said: The problem with towing large trailers at the rear of a car is that the car becomes subject to axle weights, a train weight and the tyres are also subject to weight restrictions. It is all a very complex combination and can very easily lead you into trouble.
You do not want to get done for being overweight (in your vehicle although around your middle will not help matters as the vehicle will be weighed with you in it!!). It is a very big fine!
Hey Madcop,dont know if you ever read my experience i posted on here with getting caught illegal!Boy is it a mine field,even the law makers and enforcers did'nt know the rules completly.It is very easy to abide with the law once you know how the rules work(providing your not quite simply carrying too much)
I can't stress enough to anyone,make sure you learn the law before hitching up.
Maybe I'm just playing devil's advocate, or maybe I've had enough of pathetic law-makers, but what are the chances of getting stopped towing a shiny new car on a shiny new trailer with a shiny new car? About the same as getting stopped for 90mph-plus on a motorway (without the trailer, of course)? And how many of us take that risk every time we drive?
We know the laws, we know the risks. Can't see why this is any different.
Surely the overloading laws are put there to grab dodgy haulage companies and pikeys in knackered Transits, rather than someone carrying a sports car that's a few kgs over the limit. I'm pretty sure I know who's going to care more about shedding their load (so to speak) and drive suitably.
I know you've been done for this, Paws, but what lazy, petty, small-minded cops they must've been. IMHO, of course...
We know the laws, we know the risks. Can't see why this is any different.
Surely the overloading laws are put there to grab dodgy haulage companies and pikeys in knackered Transits, rather than someone carrying a sports car that's a few kgs over the limit. I'm pretty sure I know who's going to care more about shedding their load (so to speak) and drive suitably.
I know you've been done for this, Paws, but what lazy, petty, small-minded cops they must've been. IMHO, of course...
Spoonman said: Surely the overloading laws are put there to grab dodgy haulage companies and pikeys in knackered Transits, rather than someone carrying a sports car that's a few kgs over the limit. I'm pretty sure I know who's going to care more about shedding their load (so to speak) and drive suitably.
These regulations are not about dodgy builder, hauliers, or travellers.
They are about using any vehicle, regardless of its age above its permitted design weights for safe operation. That includes springs, tyre design weights and overall steering and braking efficiency which are affected either slightly or hugely depending on where the degree of excess weight happens to apply to the disadvantage of the vehicles structure most.
A trailer that is too heavey for the drawing vehicle to cope with is a very real danger to the vehicle that is pulling it and others around it.
This is exactly the same for a vehicle that is badly loaded so that the design weights are exceeded over a particular axle even though the vehicle itself may not be overweight (small builders pick up with two yards of sand at the back of the body with 10 bags of cement on top to stop it blowing around i the wind when it is driven at 60mph through other road users vicinity)
I know you've been done for this, Paws, but what lazy, petty, small-minded cops they must've been. IMHO, of course...
Which just goes to show you have no concept of the real affects of this major problem. Also that it is not just the Police that prosecute this offence, but Trading Standards Departments and DOT Examiners as well!
If you had seen and realised exactly why certain serious accidents occur on the roads other than rubber necking and shaking your head in disbelief when driving past them to continue without another moments thought of why! then you would not make statements such as the one above.
You say a few KG over the limit.
What is the difference between a few KG over the limit and a Few KPH if they happen to arrive together in inappropriate circumstances that require the full capability of the driver and vehicle competancy to avoid causing problems?
Oh and to put the record straight, The lazy cops would not have bothered stopping him at all (too much like hard work with the resulting file preparation, much easier to stand with a laser instead
) >> Edited by madcop on Saturday 22 February 09:25
Been there, done something similar!
First thing I did was fill the tailer tent with so much booze there wasn't enough weight to transfer forward onto the Peugeot 309's front wheels. So when all the traffic stsrted panic braking on the motorway, all I kept doing was locking the front wheels. Luckily only the car and my pride was dented (the wine survived
)
Then, on another camping trip, I overtook all the 'numpties' cruising in the middle lane on the M4... they were doing 85, I was doing 93 when I spotted the traffic car on the hard shoulder. He didn't pull me for speeing though, he had me for 'driving an articulated vehicle in the third lane'! Doh....
Even though 93 in what effectively is a 60 limit is the same as 103 in a 70, if you see where I'm going.... my middle name is Youluckyb'stard...
Ian
First thing I did was fill the tailer tent with so much booze there wasn't enough weight to transfer forward onto the Peugeot 309's front wheels. So when all the traffic stsrted panic braking on the motorway, all I kept doing was locking the front wheels. Luckily only the car and my pride was dented (the wine survived
) Then, on another camping trip, I overtook all the 'numpties' cruising in the middle lane on the M4... they were doing 85, I was doing 93 when I spotted the traffic car on the hard shoulder. He didn't pull me for speeing though, he had me for 'driving an articulated vehicle in the third lane'! Doh....
Even though 93 in what effectively is a 60 limit is the same as 103 in a 70, if you see where I'm going.... my middle name is Youluckyb'stard... Ian
I agree with what you are saying madcop but a dose of common sense on the part of the driver is more important than a few kgs of weight - I think these things should be taken in consideration.
I've seen Land Cruisers towing trailers at over 80mph - that is far more dangerous than someone towing a slightly under-spec trailer at 50mph.
Also, trailers aren't subject to MOTs - that in itself is more of a problem than brand new but under spec trailers.
You have to start somewhere I suppose but I think there are more problems related to trailers than just the weight.
My 2p...
Dan
I've seen Land Cruisers towing trailers at over 80mph - that is far more dangerous than someone towing a slightly under-spec trailer at 50mph.
Also, trailers aren't subject to MOTs - that in itself is more of a problem than brand new but under spec trailers.
You have to start somewhere I suppose but I think there are more problems related to trailers than just the weight.
My 2p...
Dan
danhf said:
Also, trailers aren't subject to MOTs - that in itself is more of a problem than brand new but under spec trailers.
If it is a goods vehicle trailer it is subject of a seperate MOT. I think you may be surprised about what is actually required to be tested.
Anything pulled by a motor vehicle can be considered to be a trailer. A broken down car although still retaining its classification as a motor vehicle can be classed as a trailer and require the regulations on such objects to be applied!
Did you get the maximum permitted trailer weight out of your handbook? IF so, many manufacturers limit this - not necessarily for safety reasons but to save wear and tear on the vehicle. Remember they still have to honour their warranty even if you pull the biggest caravan you can find from day 1. You'll often find that the max towing weight is what they feel confident the car (and trailer combination) will successfully manage a hill start on (say a 1:8 slope) and NOT anything to do with safety (per se). Obviously, they don't know that the car will be unladen at the time. As far as they're concerned, you will have mum, dad, three kids and 2 weeks camping gear in it as well as the trailer on the back!
Look on the VIN plate under the bonnet. It will have four weights printed on it. The first will be the maximum permitted vehicle weight in kg. the second (or biggest number) will be the maximum permitted train weight (vehicle plus trailer together). You might be able to tow a slightly heavier trailer if the vehicle isn't fully loaded so long as you don't exceed the total combined weight on the VIN plate. The third and fourth numbers are the maximum permitted front and rear axle weights. If your braked trailer is in good condition, it should look after nearly all its own braking and not give the car's brakes a hard time. Remember that if your car was made after (I think) 1998, you MUST have an "e"-marked towbar and ball. The towbar will have a maximum permitted nose weight on it. This will be sufficient to "keep the back wheels on the floor" without making the front wheels too light.
Have a look on the caravan club website. I seem to remember they have lots of good towing advice.
P.S. Before anyone says anything, I DON'T HAVE A CARAVAN OK?! I bloody hate the things.
Look on the VIN plate under the bonnet. It will have four weights printed on it. The first will be the maximum permitted vehicle weight in kg. the second (or biggest number) will be the maximum permitted train weight (vehicle plus trailer together). You might be able to tow a slightly heavier trailer if the vehicle isn't fully loaded so long as you don't exceed the total combined weight on the VIN plate. The third and fourth numbers are the maximum permitted front and rear axle weights. If your braked trailer is in good condition, it should look after nearly all its own braking and not give the car's brakes a hard time. Remember that if your car was made after (I think) 1998, you MUST have an "e"-marked towbar and ball. The towbar will have a maximum permitted nose weight on it. This will be sufficient to "keep the back wheels on the floor" without making the front wheels too light.
Have a look on the caravan club website. I seem to remember they have lots of good towing advice.
P.S. Before anyone says anything, I DON'T HAVE A CARAVAN OK?! I bloody hate the things.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff