Can I tow a twin axle trailer without a couple of its wheels
Discussion
So I have a twin axle (four wheeled) trailer and was wondering was can I take a couple of wheels off it and tow it as a twin axle trailer or would that not work? It's an IforWilliams trailer, quite a nice one at that, each axle is rated at 1.5T so is more than capable of carrying the trailer on its own. (I'm talking about an empty trailer by the way so it would in no way be overloaded). Now, what I was wondering is, is it legal to do this, would my insurance or the police kick up a fuss?
The reason I want to do this is because with only one axle working, the GVW of the trailer becomes the max that axle is rated for (2T down to 1.5T) which is what I need to be able to tow it with my licence (currently only have a B and am practicing for my B+E test).
Hope this doesn't sound too mad and someone could help me,
Cheers
The reason I want to do this is because with only one axle working, the GVW of the trailer becomes the max that axle is rated for (2T down to 1.5T) which is what I need to be able to tow it with my licence (currently only have a B and am practicing for my B+E test).
Hope this doesn't sound too mad and someone could help me,
Cheers
I wouldnt, plus (and i might corrected) but VOSA/police will still go off the max weight on the trailer plate regardless. How do they know you dont have the wheels in the boot/at your destination formwhen you load up?
You're better off just towing as is and driving sensibly - doubt you'll get pulled especially if empty
You're better off just towing as is and driving sensibly - doubt you'll get pulled especially if empty
Music Guy123 said:
The reason I want to do this is because with only one axle working, the GVW of the trailer becomes the max that axle is rated for (2T down to 1.5T)
I think you might be being VERY optimistic on that one, unless you were planning on taking the VIN plate off, too, and claiming it was made pre-1980.Music Guy123 said:
So I have a twin axle (four wheeled) trailer and was wondering was can I take a couple of wheels off it and tow it as a twin axle trailer or would that not work? It's an IforWilliams trailer, quite a nice one at that, each axle is rated at 1.5T so is more than capable of carrying the trailer on its own. (I'm talking about an empty trailer by the way so it would in no way be overloaded). Now, what I was wondering is, is it legal to do this, would my insurance or the police kick up a fuss?
The reason I want to do this is because with only one axle working, the GVW of the trailer becomes the max that axle is rated for (2T down to 1.5T) which is what I need to be able to tow it with my licence (currently only have a B and am practicing for my B+E test).
Hope this doesn't sound too mad and someone could help me,
Cheers
this screams 'pull me ' to any police officer or VOSA officer The reason I want to do this is because with only one axle working, the GVW of the trailer becomes the max that axle is rated for (2T down to 1.5T) which is what I need to be able to tow it with my licence (currently only have a B and am practicing for my B+E test).
Hope this doesn't sound too mad and someone could help me,
Cheers
Cheers for replying, appreciate it.
Do you reckon the authorities will still go off the max weight, because I thought it had to be limited by the smallest weight, e.g. if the tow hitch can take more but the tyres are less on old trailers that didn't have a plate you had to go with the tyres. But I could be very wrong!
The thing is, if I tow it sensibly you're right I'm unlikely to get pulled but I'd rather not run the risk of knowlingly driving illegally. (Hence why I'm taking my B+E this summer hopefully).
With regards to the wheels, yes, that's exactly my plan, as bring the other wheels so they can be put on at the other end for the trailer to regain its full capacity. I would obviously be towing it at this point with L plates and a qualified person in the passenger seat.
The reason I'm looking to do this is we just need the trailer for a week like this to practice on and then use its full capacity later. We could get it downplated, but this costs £50 from IforW and they destroy the old plate, so we'd then have to get another one made for another £50. Then if we want to get more people trained, we would have to get it down plated again at even more cost!
Do you reckon the authorities will still go off the max weight, because I thought it had to be limited by the smallest weight, e.g. if the tow hitch can take more but the tyres are less on old trailers that didn't have a plate you had to go with the tyres. But I could be very wrong!
The thing is, if I tow it sensibly you're right I'm unlikely to get pulled but I'd rather not run the risk of knowlingly driving illegally. (Hence why I'm taking my B+E this summer hopefully).
With regards to the wheels, yes, that's exactly my plan, as bring the other wheels so they can be put on at the other end for the trailer to regain its full capacity. I would obviously be towing it at this point with L plates and a qualified person in the passenger seat.
The reason I'm looking to do this is we just need the trailer for a week like this to practice on and then use its full capacity later. We could get it downplated, but this costs £50 from IforW and they destroy the old plate, so we'd then have to get another one made for another £50. Then if we want to get more people trained, we would have to get it down plated again at even more cost!
Music Guy123 said:
Cheers for replying, appreciate it.
Do you reckon the authorities will still go off the max weight, because I thought it had to be limited by the smallest weight, e.g. if the tow hitch can take more but the tyres are less on old trailers that didn't have a plate you had to go with the tyres. But I could be very wrong!
It's the "old trailers that don't have a plate" bit that's relevant there. Pre-1980, no need for a VIN plate. No VIN plate with a GVW, then the tyres set the max.Do you reckon the authorities will still go off the max weight, because I thought it had to be limited by the smallest weight, e.g. if the tow hitch can take more but the tyres are less on old trailers that didn't have a plate you had to go with the tyres. But I could be very wrong!
But even then, if you've got suspension dangling with no wheels, that's probably a very different situation to having completely removed a pair of suspension units.
You're right it does scream pull me over, but hopefully it would mean I'm within the law. Rather than being definitely illegal and less likely to be pulled over.
Not taking the VIN plate off and claiming it's pre 80s I'm afraid. It is also the VIN plate that states each axles rating so can't really remove it!
So say the tyres of the trailer (if there were 4 of them on it) were rated at 400kg each, that would mean 1.6T in total, what would be the GVW of the trailer?
Not taking the VIN plate off and claiming it's pre 80s I'm afraid. It is also the VIN plate that states each axles rating so can't really remove it!
So say the tyres of the trailer (if there were 4 of them on it) were rated at 400kg each, that would mean 1.6T in total, what would be the GVW of the trailer?
TooMany2cvs said:
It's the "old trailers that don't have a plate" bit that's relevant there. Pre-1980, no need for a VIN plate. No VIN plate with a GVW, then the tyres set the max.
But even then, if you've got suspension dangling with no wheels, that's probably a very different situation to having completely removed a pair of suspension units.
Hmm, yes I realise that it's the old trailers that don't have plate bit. I could remove the whole suspension unit but not sure how complicated that is going to be, don't want to start messing around with the brakes etc.But even then, if you've got suspension dangling with no wheels, that's probably a very different situation to having completely removed a pair of suspension units.
I guess the precise way to find out is to contact VOSA, might send them an email and see what they say.
AWRacing said:
Dont put 'L' plates on and drive sensibly you wont get pulled.
Be careful with this advice.As the police force gets younger and there are less officers with grandfather rights, more officers are aware that a younger driver towing a trailer may well not have a licence.
Best advice is to leave the trailer as it is, put L plates on and practice properly whilst accompanied by a suitable qualified driver.
Can't seem to keep up with the replies here haha!
I will put L plates on when I have someone in the passenger seat who's either passed their licence before 97 or held the B+E for over 3(I think) years but not before, and I shall not be towing it without L plates on my own!
So it's actually a flat bed but it's had a box frame with a tarpaulin cover, so is essentially a box trailer. This is more for getting some practice before the test, maybe drive it to some private areas to practice reversing etc. I'm pretty sure it can be used for the test but will be checking with the test centre first.
I will put L plates on when I have someone in the passenger seat who's either passed their licence before 97 or held the B+E for over 3(I think) years but not before, and I shall not be towing it without L plates on my own!
So it's actually a flat bed but it's had a box frame with a tarpaulin cover, so is essentially a box trailer. This is more for getting some practice before the test, maybe drive it to some private areas to practice reversing etc. I'm pretty sure it can be used for the test but will be checking with the test centre first.
I think it's pretty clear so far that the general consensus is no, it won't be ok to do it. So I won't go ahead with doing it but might see what VOSA say on the matter anyway just out of curiosity.
I know I have also seen people willingly tow trailers without a wheel quite happily (not loaded or anything) but just one wheel short. So was wondering what people thought on the matter, but looks like you guys have been pretty clear!
Cheers for the advice and replies, appreciate them!
I know I have also seen people willingly tow trailers without a wheel quite happily (not loaded or anything) but just one wheel short. So was wondering what people thought on the matter, but looks like you guys have been pretty clear!
Cheers for the advice and replies, appreciate them!
Iforwilliams are never particularly impressed if you downplate it yourself tbh but that might be an option. If the police contact them there is still the chance they could say the trailer is rated to the original GVW than the one on the plate as it's not an official downplate.
Ok, I didn't realise that classified as unsuitable tyres rather than a lower GVW.
Ok, I didn't realise that classified as unsuitable tyres rather than a lower GVW.
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