towing a trailer

[Compo]

hi all advice required on towing a trailer

senario 1 smart car weighs 730 kgs unladen but its gross weight is 990kgs smart trailer weighs 340kgs and is plated at 1300kgs is this legal to tow ??

senario 2 sold smart car and now got toyota aygo unladen weight of 890kgs gross weight of 1200kgs smart trailer weighs 340kgs is this legal to tow ??

compo

 

[mark61]

hi all advice required on towing a trailer

senario 1 smart car weighs 730 kgs unladen but its gross weight is 990kgs smart trailer weighs 340kgs and is plated at 1300kgs is this legal to tow ??

senario 2 sold smart car and now got toyota aygo unladen weight of 890kgs gross weight of 1200kgs smart trailer weighs 340kgs is this legal to tow ??

compo

I'd say yes, as long as.

A. The cars aren't loaded to their GVW.

B. You can tow a trailer with a GVW of 1300Kg.

 

[baldybloke]

As I understand things, it is the ACTUAL weight not the max gross weight that matters, you may tow up to a maximum of 3500kg, over 750 kg it must be braked on all wheels, subject to the max allowable tow limit of the towing vehicle, and your licence categories, - obviously the law differs for hgv etc

 

[Compo]

as maybe it is illegal to sit people in the car during towing

 

[phillybarbour]

With regard to a towed trailer it's the actual weight that counts when loaded. So if your van is plated a 1300 tow capacity its legal up to 1300 of actual weight. However be very careful on axle weights as single axle trailers often put quite a nose weight on the van and with a short trailer you can't compensate by moving the car much. Therefore check your rear axle weight on the van as well.