Discussion
Just looking to clear up some slight confusion on my part. Ive done a google and there seems to be a lot of conflicting info.
Im looking to tow a car (700kg) on a trailer (400kg) with a van (1800kg).
So the grand total weight would be 2900kg. Would it be legal for me to tow this considering i passed my test after 1997?
Im looking to tow a car (700kg) on a trailer (400kg) with a van (1800kg).
So the grand total weight would be 2900kg. Would it be legal for me to tow this considering i passed my test after 1997?
I think yes. Here's the definitive answer - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
HustleRussell said:
In a word, no.
Why not? Many seem to say this, and this is why ive asked, but going on the wording below im under the impression that i can.If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500 kilograms (kg) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (with a combined weight of up to 4,250kg in total)
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)
alangla said:
I think yes. Here's the definitive answer - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Ive been searching for 'an idiots guide' and thats perfect, thanks. Explains it much better than gov.ukHypothetical question (exaggerated figures to get my point across)
If i was driving a van that weighed 1800kg and was towing a trailer with a MAM of 100,000kg but only weighed 200kg and get stopped by the police. Surely they wouldnt prosecute on the fact that the trailer has a much bigger MAM? surely it would be based on the actual combined wight?
If i was driving a van that weighed 1800kg and was towing a trailer with a MAM of 100,000kg but only weighed 200kg and get stopped by the police. Surely they wouldnt prosecute on the fact that the trailer has a much bigger MAM? surely it would be based on the actual combined wight?
Can someone explain, in simple terms, the wording below....
'Licences held from 1 January 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)'
That clearly says i can tow a trailer OVER 750kg MAM.
'Licences held from 1 January 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can drive either:
a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen or ‘kerb’ weight of the towing vehicle (with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg in total)'
That clearly says i can tow a trailer OVER 750kg MAM.
matlee said:
That clearly says i can tow a trailer OVER 750kg MAM.
It is correct, likewise the summary post linked to above is correct. The people who are saying a B can only ever tow 750kg max are wrong, however you situation might not be legal for the reasons above.Edited by Gareth79 on Wednesday 3rd April 01:29
matlee said:
With the van weighing 1800kg (kerb weight) that tells me that i cant tow a trailer with a MAM greater than 1700kg.
It also tells me that the gross weight of that van is probably 2.5T+ which means (as I said before), you'll probably find that weight plus the trailer's MAM is over 3.5T. But hey ho, just carry on ignoring me if it's not what you want to hear. Matt777 is wrong.
Just got off the phone with the DVLA.
I asked her about towing something with a combined MAM greater than 3500kg, but actual weight coming in at 2900kg, and she said that if i was to get pulled over the police would make their decision based on the actual combined weight at the time and not on what it would weigh if both were fully loaded.
If they were to prosecute simply based on the MAM it would be like getting pulled over for sticking to the speed limit but getting done because you car can do illegal speeds.
I asked her about towing something with a combined MAM greater than 3500kg, but actual weight coming in at 2900kg, and she said that if i was to get pulled over the police would make their decision based on the actual combined weight at the time and not on what it would weigh if both were fully loaded.
If they were to prosecute simply based on the MAM it would be like getting pulled over for sticking to the speed limit but getting done because you car can do illegal speeds.
From the AA website....
'If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 then, unless you have taken an additional driving test – the 'B+E' car and trailer test – you may only drive a category B3 vehicle coupled with;
A caravan up to 750kg MAM, or
A caravan over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the car and caravan is less than 3500kg Gross Train Weight (GTW) and the MAM of the caravan is less than the unladen weight of the car.'
No mention of the towing vehicles MAM.
'If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 then, unless you have taken an additional driving test – the 'B+E' car and trailer test – you may only drive a category B3 vehicle coupled with;
A caravan up to 750kg MAM, or
A caravan over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the car and caravan is less than 3500kg Gross Train Weight (GTW) and the MAM of the caravan is less than the unladen weight of the car.'
No mention of the towing vehicles MAM.
vit4 said:
Unless you have the trailer test you cannot drive with a trailer over 750kg even if the gross train weight is under 3.5t, so even if the van is able to tow up to 1700kg and remain within the weight limit, the trailer weight is too high.
That isn't what the gov website says.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff