Car transporters

[irish boy]

Decided to buy one of these, I look after about 20 cars in work and sometimes it's a pain trying to get them moved from place to place, over to the mechanics, picked up if there's a problem etc etc. Would be very handy for home too and works going to pay 50% of it.

So what do I need to look for in terms of size/spec etc? It won't be used loads but when it is I don't want to be restricted to small cars only. Is 14 feet enough? Is a tilt bed/closed in floor desirable/necessary

Cheers!

Edited by irish boy on Wednesday 9th May 06:46

[MJK 24]

What cars will you be moving with it? Assuming a one car 3.5 ton truck. Make sure you weight it - some are very heavy (ie unladen weight of 2,200kg leaving just 1,300kg for a driver and the car meaning even a Focus is a no no.

I used to have a VW LT35 that was a super light 1,820kg unladen. That allowed 1,600kg for the car which is what you need. Even that will restrict you for modern cars.

[irish boy]

Mmm I was under the impression that the 4x4 was plated to tow 3.5 ton therefore take 0.5 ton for the transporter leaving 3 ton left for whatever car you wanted to put on?

[MJK 24]

Sounds like you're looking to buy a trailer to tow behind a 4x4 car?

In that case you'll need a 4x4 that will tow 3,500kgs. You'll also need a 3,500kg trailer. This will
Weigh around 750kg leaving you able to move cars weighing up to 2,750kg.

[Wild Rumpus]

A tilt bed is worth having if you are towing frequently, it makes loading and unloading the trailer much faster.

[JRM Rossi]

& then there is Tacho rules ...................

[irish boy]

MJK 24 said:

Sounds like you're looking to buy a trailer to tow behind a 4x4 car?

In that case you'll need a 4x4 that will tow 3,500kgs. You'll also need a 3,500kg trailer. This will
Weigh around 750kg leaving you able to move cars weighing up to 2,750kg.

Yeah I'll either be using my own g-wagen lwb or works lwb 4.2 patrol which are plated to 3.5 and 4.0 ton respectively. 2750 would be more than enough for any car I'd be putting on.

Tell me you're joking re the tacho??

[rangie999]

No joke on the Tacho...loads of holes in your dash as it now has to be fitted in line of sight. Then all the regs and working time directive should keep you busy!

[irish boy]

rangie999 said:

No joke on the Tacho...loads of holes in your dash as it now has to be fitted in line of sight. Then all the regs and working time directive should keep you busy!

just checked with traffic branch....you can tow 3.5t or 8.25t gross with no tacho tho you need a trailer test if you past you're test after 1997.

Interestingly enough the car/4x4 doing the towing must be able to tow the maximum weight the trailer can hold, ie a 3.5t transporter cannot be pulled by a 4x4 with a 3.0t rating....even if it's empty. strange law.

Edited by irish boy on Wednesday 9th May 15:26

[MJK 24]

irish boy said:

just checked with traffic branch....you can tow 3.5t or 8.25t gross with no tacho tho you need a trailer test if you past you're test after 1997.

Interestingly enough the car/4x4 doing the towing must be able to tow the maximum weight the trailer can hold, ie a 3.5t transporter cannot be pulled by a 4x4 with a 3.0t rating....even if it's empty. strange law.

Edited by irish boy on Wednesday 9th May 15:26

Whoever you asked is wrong. You will need a tachograph.

[tbid]

MJK 24 said:

Whoever you asked is wrong. You will need a tachograph.

I got stopped by the plod and they seemed to think otherwise.

[GTiVR6]

tbid said:

I got stopped by the plod and they seemed to think otherwise.

Need one if it used in the case of it being used as part of a business?

[bakerstreet]

Surely a transporter would be a bit cheaper to run rather than a Land Rover or similar towing 1500kg of car + trailer.

[irish boy]

bakerstreet said:

Surely a transporter would be a bit cheaper to run rather than a Land Rover or similar towing 1500kg of car + trailer.

Not when there's always a 4x4 kicking about and the transporter will only be needed maybe a dozen times over the year.

[irish boy]

MJK 24 said:

Whoever you asked is wrong. You will need a tachograph.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/company-cars/news-and-advice/advice/archive/Towing/

Where are you getting you're info? A bit more Internet research seems to confirm what I was told....8.25t gross 3.5t tow weight with no tacho or special licence if you passed before '97. I'm not saying I'm right, this is the first day of looking into it but I did ring the police who confirmed this.....

[MJK 24]

The date you passed your test has nothing to do with needed a tachograph or not. If you're vehicle is over 3,500kgs and being used for hire or reward, you'll need a tachograph.

Speak to VOSA rather than the Police as they'll be better informed

[JRM Rossi]

if you on company insurance its tacho,ie traders or for use with your company

[irish boy]

Cheers guys. Got a deal done on a 3.5t tilt bed 6 months old. I'm not in the motor trade in any way so hopefully won't need to go the tacho route.