Towing a car+trailer with a large car - weight limits?

[AcidReflux]

I've got a large car with the following weights (according to the handbook):

- Gross vehicle weight: 2295 kg
- Kerb weight: 1790 kg "ready for the road"
- Maximum trailer weight: 2100 kg
- Maximum weight of car + trailer: 4255 kg

I want to move an untaxed/untested car about 40 miles. The car weighs 1450 kg. What would be the maximum weight that a hired trailer could weigh? 650 kg? (2100 - 1450 kg)

A local cheap-n-cheerful trailer hire company has a twin-axle trailer available that's relatively lightweight (compared with others I've hired) but physically big enough to carry the car. It has no load rating plate installed. Could/would that be a legal option for me to choose or would I be on dodgy ground because of the missing rating plate? The higher-quality trailers have the rating plates but weigh a lot more and could push the trailer weight higher than my car's rating.

Would I benefit by removing heavy items from the towed car (e.g. battery, seats) and carrying them in the towing car to reduce the towed weight?

I've searched PH's history for the answer to this question and remain confused.
I passed my licence well before 1997.

[papercup]

I tow an RX-7 on a trailer with my BMW 540. The whole thing handles significantly better if i put as much weight in the RX-7 (i.e. on the trailer) as i can. Specifically, 100 litres of fuel in metal jerry cans. When the fuel is in the boot of the 540 its all a bit wallowy and scary. Put it in the RX-7 and it feels no different from when i take no fuel at all.

I assume its because you are towing the weight at that point, rather than laying the weight on the rear axle of the 540.

[AcidReflux]

Thanks Andy. Perhaps I should clarify that my towcar is an estate, so I could put the heavy items in the middle of the car if I needed to.

[Transam]

aslong as your dont exceed the train weight for the car and also the plated weight for the trailer then you should be fine. though giving the dvla a quick phonecall should sort out all you need to know

[sherman]

Here is a site with the car trailer towing legislation
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/...

HTH

[AcidReflux]

Thank you both. What I'm still unsure of is whether a missing trailer rating plate is a problem?

[Transam]

AcidReflux said:

Thank you both. What I'm still unsure of is whether a missing trailer rating plate is a problem?

it could be yes, give the dvla a call on 0870 240 0009 they should be able to tell you straight.

also aslong as what yoru doing isnt for hire and reward, eg yoru being paid to do this you wont need a tachograph

if you are then thats another kettle of fish.....

[maser_spyder]

AcidReflux said:

Thank you both. What I'm still unsure of is whether a missing trailer rating plate is a problem?

As far as BiB are concerned, yes.

As for actually getting a conviction for this, you'd be very, very unlucky.

There's a whole lot of trailers out there being used regularly without a manufacturers plate, I think BiB have got better things to do!

Weight is the key thing. The trailer should ideally be about 80% of the cars total weight, which means the tail isn't wagging the dog (so to speak).

Saying that, I towed 3000Kg back from the South of France with my Landcruiser (which weighs about 2500Kg laden), and it was fine.

Just take it really steady, and watch out for the 'tram lines' from lorries on the motorway.


A family friend got caught by this recently. Collected his boat from the Highlands, coming back to Southampton. Got as far as Newbury, nearly home, trailer wheels got stuck in the ruts of the road caused by lorries, trailer went one way, Range Rover went the other. Very nasty indeed, although they were both OK.

Car, trailer and boat all written off. This guy is a farmer too, he spends his life driving and towing heavy machinery and trailers, he's certainly not new to it.

You're got more to worry about by improper loading than weights, if it's a bit too nose heavy, or nose light, it'll cause all sorts of problems.

Basically, not having a plate on the trailer may cause problems if you get stopped. Although it may not. Your risk!

[RDMcG]

As with any trailer its important to balance the car on the trailer so there is not too much tongue weight. I went to a weighbridge when I first got the trailer and checked the axle loading on the trailer wheels and also on the rear wheels of the car.

[AcidReflux]

Cheers.
I'm pretty confident about the mechanics of transporting this car provided my weight calculations above are accurate (and nobody's arguing with them yet ) but I don't want to do something illegal because of ignorance.

I'll try calling the DVLA - thanks for the suggestion.

(This is a speculative situation - I'm considering buying a car.)

[matt frost]

Without a special towing license you cannot tow a combined weight of car and trailer (and whatever is on your trailer) of more than 3,500kg.

[pugwash4x4]

maser_spyder said:

AcidReflux said:

Thank you both. What I'm still unsure of is whether a missing trailer rating plate is a problem?

Saying that, I towed 3000Kg back from the South of France with my Landcruiser (which weighs about 2500Kg laden), and it was fine.

If it was an amazon then they have a 3500kg tow rating anyway as do most landrovers- gross train weight can't be more than 6650 or something silly like that.

[kambites]

matt frost said:

Without a special towing license you cannot tow a combined weight of car and trailer (and whatever is on your trailer) of more than 3,500kg.

I think it's more complex than that. As I understand it, you cannot tow a car and trailer with combined a MGW of over 3500kg or where the MGW of the trailer is greater than the unladen weight of the car.

Anyone who took their test before about 1997 automatically has a full towing licence though.

[CraigyMc]

matt frost said:

Without a special towing license you cannot tow a combined weight of car and trailer (and whatever is on your trailer) of more than 3,500kg.

"Special?" - Anyone who passed their test before 1 Jan 1997 can drive a combined weight up to 8250kg.
Clicky

The majority of drivers passed their test more than 13 years ago, so I'd not call it a "special" towing license.

C