Towing an exhibition trailer - tacho?
Discussion
Starting to get a bit confused.
We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
Sump said:
Starting to get a bit confused.
We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
AFAIK business use is hire and reward. (you intend to make a profit from what you sell) We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
Drumroll said:
Sump said:
Starting to get a bit confused.
We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
AFAIK business use is hire and reward. (you intend to make a profit from what you sell) We plan to buy our own exhibition trailer and put our own stock inside it. Trailer is 2T and car is 2T.
It’s for business use but not for hire and reward.
The trailer is being towed twice a week in summer usually around 100 miles from HQ.
Would we need a tacho? The gov site says for commercial use but doesn’t explain what they consider commercial use as....
Drumroll said:
AFAIK business use is hire and reward. (you intend to make a profit from what you sell)
Using a trailer in the course of your business is not the same as hire and reward, a tradesman may use a trailer to move his tools or materials from one place to another, he earns no money from the journey.The rules get even more complicated if your trailer is over 1020kg unladen, technically you the also need an operator's licence.
when did the driver pass their test?
not sure if it works that way still but my understanding is that pre 97 test pass you can have a combimed MAM of 7.5ton rather than 3.5t under grandfather rights
so you can have a tow car at whatever weight ie a big lwb transit or similar full of stock or a up to 7.5 ton truck if you please and then whack a 3.5 ton trailer on the back up to a combined weight of 7.5 ton
my advise is though phone dvsa and ask them or speak to someone that knows what their talking about not some muppet like me off the internet.
not sure if it works that way still but my understanding is that pre 97 test pass you can have a combimed MAM of 7.5ton rather than 3.5t under grandfather rights
so you can have a tow car at whatever weight ie a big lwb transit or similar full of stock or a up to 7.5 ton truck if you please and then whack a 3.5 ton trailer on the back up to a combined weight of 7.5 ton
my advise is though phone dvsa and ask them or speak to someone that knows what their talking about not some muppet like me off the internet.
Commercial use covers hire and reward and also more general use in connection with a business or enterprise.
If the plated weight of the combination exceeds 3500kg and it is used for commercial purposes a tachograph is required. There are exemptions to this but none that would appear to apply to your proposed use.
You don't say what the unladen weight of the trailer is but as has been mentioned if it exceeds 1020kg you would also require an O licence.
Cat
If the plated weight of the combination exceeds 3500kg and it is used for commercial purposes a tachograph is required. There are exemptions to this but none that would appear to apply to your proposed use.
You don't say what the unladen weight of the trailer is but as has been mentioned if it exceeds 1020kg you would also require an O licence.
Cat
Sump said:
Yes that’s right.
If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
If DVSA see you and want to pull you they will, seen on a couple of book face groups where they ve had a purge on vans and trailers. If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
How far have you got to drag it?
Would it be worth getting someone else thats already equipped with the Tacho etc to do it.
Purely to be on the safe side.
Over 3.5T and business use means tacho . .
Not worth the pain of record keeping, driving restrictions (mandatory breaks etc) for occasional use, pay someone to move it or hire a van.
A restricted O-Licence doesn't lift the inspection requirements, IIRC it costs less but you can only carry your own goods for use in the course of the journey (i.e. not carry goods for reward).
Alternately make sure the combo is under 3.5T even if it means the trailer, when towed, is empty and the stock is in another vehicle. If you chose this route remember that VOSA would weigh you if they stop you.
Not worth the pain of record keeping, driving restrictions (mandatory breaks etc) for occasional use, pay someone to move it or hire a van.
A restricted O-Licence doesn't lift the inspection requirements, IIRC it costs less but you can only carry your own goods for use in the course of the journey (i.e. not carry goods for reward).
Alternately make sure the combo is under 3.5T even if it means the trailer, when towed, is empty and the stock is in another vehicle. If you chose this route remember that VOSA would weigh you if they stop you.
Sump said:
Yes that’s right.
If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
Your X5 won't be rated to tow 4 tonnes and the trailer would require its own powered brakes rather than the conventional overrun brakes once over 3.5 tonnes. If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
You might need to rethink this plan.
Spoke to 3 people at dvsa got 3 different answers and asked to email in.
Hire or reward really comes into play here. I asked for a definition and got, you’re being paid to move third party goods or people.
Well no one is paying me to move my own stock around. I own the stock and I’m not being paid to transport the stock.
This is where the confusion started and I was asked to email in.
Hire or reward really comes into play here. I asked for a definition and got, you’re being paid to move third party goods or people.
Well no one is paying me to move my own stock around. I own the stock and I’m not being paid to transport the stock.
This is where the confusion started and I was asked to email in.
cossy400 said:
If DVSA see you and want to pull you they will, seen on a couple of book face groups where they ve had a purge on vans and trailers.
How far have you got to drag it?
Would it be worth getting someone else thats already equipped with the Tacho etc to do it.
Purely to be on the safe side.
We would use it for around 10 exhibitions a year. Not worth getting someone else involved tbh.How far have you got to drag it?
Would it be worth getting someone else thats already equipped with the Tacho etc to do it.
Purely to be on the safe side.
Seems to be a grey area when you’re carrying your own goods. I don’t mind fitting a taco but as it’s a passenger vehicle I was also told it’s dual purpose and bypasses the need for an operators license.
It’s not a grey area at all.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/towing-...
You need to use a tachograph if the total weight of both trailer and car are over 3.5 tonnes and you are using it for business use.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/towing-...
You need to use a tachograph if the total weight of both trailer and car are over 3.5 tonnes and you are using it for business use.
Cold said:
Sump said:
Yes that’s right.
If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
Your X5 won't be rated to tow 4 tonnes and the trailer would require its own powered brakes rather than the conventional overrun brakes once over 3.5 tonnes. If an operators license is required we could get a restricted one. Surely all the inspection requirements are all based around HGVs not an x5!
You might need to rethink this plan.
According to this site: http://www.towingcapacity.co.uk/car-make-model/bmw... , X5's are rated to tow 1900~3500Kg's, depending on the year/model.
Some useful information on the need for a tacho can be found here: https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/fleet-management/fleet...
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