towing a catering trailer.

[richelli]

So, need some help with the law of train weights when towing a catering trailer with a people carrier.

The vehicle is a Mercedes 2.2 tdi, ambient, long wheel base viano.

On the vin plate of the Mercedes, are these weights.

2770kg
4770kg
1470kg (1)
1470kg (2)

The trailer is braked double axle. The trailer weighs 3.25 ton. Need to pick the trailer up this week, and need to know if its within the law to tow the trailer with the mercedes, or ddoes my mate need to get a van. Do I need any more details?

[DaveL86]

richelli said:

Do I need any more details?

Date the driver passed his test AND OR classes on the rear of his driving licence.

[sunbeam_alpine]

I would guess that this means that it can tow 2000kg (4770kg-2770kg). I think that the list of vehicles which can tow over 3 tons is quite limited. Land Rover (plus Disco and Range Rover) can tow up to 3.5t, as can some Toyota Landcruisers.

Edited by sunbeam_alpine on Wednesday 7th July 19:39

[richelli]

driver has been driving approx 30 years.

[Cyberprog]

You'll also need to put a Tacho on the Van.

[richelli]

Not using a van yet, want to know if we can leagally pick the trailer up with the people carrier as stated above.

[sunbeam_alpine]

richelli said:

Not using a van yet, want to know if we can leagally pick the trailer up with the people carrier as stated above.

Not if it can only tow 2 tonnes.

Edit: Here in Belgium a Viano can tow a maximum of 1800kg braked (you can look it up on the Mercedes web site). Don't know if that is Europe-wide, or only valid for Belgium, but I doubt that it will be allowed to tow much more than 2 tonnes.

Edited by sunbeam_alpine on Wednesday 7th July 19:52

[OnTheOverrun]

According to Mercedes the towing limit of the Viano is 2000kg and a safe outfit where the trailer is a maximum of 85% of the kerbweight of the tow vehicle is around 1750kg.

No way can you tow that trailer with that car, just manoeuvring it in a field will give the Viano a double hernia and if you venture onto the road, you lots of penalty points if you survive the journey.

As others have said, for that weight you need a proper Land Rover or equivalent with a 3500kg limit. Even most jap double cab pickups won't tow that weight.

[Beyond Rational]

Depending on the distribution, you could have issues with nose weight. Do you think the trailer is a stable load or that the Viano would be capable of controlling it in cross winds?

You will also be exceeding the rated capacity of the tow bar on the Viano.

[Cyberprog]

richelli said:

Not using a van yet, want to know if we can leagally pick the trailer up with the people carrier as stated above.

Regardless, whatever you go to pick it up with, will require a Tacho as it's being used for Commercial Purposes

[richelli]

Thanks guys, looks like he will have to get a bigger vehicle to tow it then. Thanks to everyone who replied.

[skwdenyer]

Cyberprog said:

richelli said:

Not using a van yet, want to know if we can leagally pick the trailer up with the people carrier as stated above.

Regardless, whatever you go to pick it up with, will require a Tacho as it's being used for Commercial Purposes

Err, not necessarily. It depends upon what the intended use of the catering trailer is!