blakep82
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 06:31 PM |
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A few questions on trailer weight
Assuming my Audi a4 has a towing capacity of 1300kg (I think? Its not really important at this stage)
If I was to buy a trailer plated to a maximum of 1500kg, it would be illegal to tow, even when completely empty? Correct?
Is it just a case of putting a new plate on it?
What if I then want to tow something with a range rover or something, that can tow more, and want to tow something making it higher than 1300kg? Swap
the plates back over? All seems a bit weird to me
This is not a question of licensing, so don't even start on all that 
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IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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redturner
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 06:44 PM |
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Cant see why you want to alter the plate. As long as you dont overload the trailer (exceed 1300kg) then you will be o.k. If you start messing with the
plate you could be in trouble for falsifying a 'legal' document. Just be careful what you load....
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ian locostzx9rc2
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 06:52 PM |
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First question is no if the trailer gvw is 1500kg your vehicle must be capable of towing that amount regardless of if its empty or underweight when
loaded, it's a criminal offence and if you get caught you will get a criminal record ,if you tamper with the plates I quess that would be even
more serious ,lots of people don't realise this ..
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coozer
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 07:12 PM |
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Ensure you're car has the towing weights on the V5. If so you are able to tow a trailer up to that weight.
Doesn't matter if its loaded or not, if the car is 1300kg you can only tow up to that weight.
If you have a 1500 kg on the back of a 1300kg limit and you get pulled off Vosa or the cops your in deep dodo. If you have an accident, then your
insurance will stand back and go no no no..
Don't forget at any time Vosa can stop you and drag you to a weighbridge to check the weights. They know everything compared to regular cops
who might scratch there heads and let you off (unlikely anyway)
Keep it legal!
Steve
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 07:39 PM |
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I was under the impression you could reduce the max trailer weight and replate it. Obviously you have to stick to that, until you put the original
back on.
Think it is worth checking for a definitive answer, this thread is not really admissible!
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blakep82
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 07:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger
I was under the impression you could reduce the max trailer weight and replate it. Obviously you have to stick to that, until you put the original
back on.
Think it is worth checking for a definitive answer, this thread is not really admissible!
I thought I could get a few ideas to see whether its investigating further, but instead seem to have got a few answers to questions I didn't ask
lol
I certainly didn't say I wanted to tow 1500 with a car that has a maximum capacity of 1300
I didn't think there was any issue reducing it either, but I'll see what other answers come in
Edit: according to page 18 of this, you can have a Max towing weight of 1300kg, and a trailer plater to 1500kg, as long as its not loaded over 1300kg?
That's how I read it
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-horsebox-and-trailer-owners
[Edited on 5/12/15 by blakep82]
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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sonic
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 07:58 PM |
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I tow a horse trialer which was rated at 2250 Kgs, my car is rated at 1600 Kgs, i spoke to the manufacturer and they sent me a new plate rated at 1600
Kgs.
As long as the trailer is not rated higher than the towing vehicle and you don't over load it then that seems to be how it works.
Something similar to HGV's, you can have them derated for tax reasons if they are only going to be carrying light loads
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redturner
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 08:04 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger
I was under the impression you could reduce the max trailer weight and replate it. Obviously you have to stick to that, until you put the original
back on.
Think it is worth checking for a definitive answer, this thread is not really admissible! [/quote
Edit: according to page 18 of this, you can have a Max towing weight of 1300kg, and a trailer plater to 1500kg, as long as its not loaded over 1300kg?
That's how I read it
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-horsebox-and-trailer-owners
[Edited on 5/12/15 by blakep82]
Thats how I read it as well...............
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JoelP
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 11:07 PM |
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I would have no qualms to replate it. If the manufacturer sends you a new one that's fantastic, otherwise I'd do it myself.
Beware! Bourettes is binfectious.
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owelly
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| posted on 5/12/15 at 11:37 PM |
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First off: those www.gov info sheets are guidelines and don't mean jack sh1t in law. Don't ask how I know.
Secondly: if your cars towing capacity is 1300kg, then you can't tow a trailer plated over that, even if it's empty. VOSA/plod don't
need to put you over a weighbridge to proscecute you as you've already committed an offence.
Thirdly: it's possible to exceed your total train weight (max authorised mass) even if you stick to the manufacturers limits!!
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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blakep82
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| posted on 6/12/15 at 12:32 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by owelly
First off: those www.gov info sheets are guidelines and don't mean jack sh1t in law. Don't ask how I know.
Secondly: if your cars towing capacity is 1300kg, then you can't tow a trailer plated over that, even if it's empty. VOSA/plod don't
need to put you over a weighbridge to proscecute you as you've already committed an offence.
Thirdly: it's possible to exceed your total train weight (max authorised mass) even if you stick to the manufacturers limits!!
The link I posted is to a PDF publication from the DVSA, and if that's not going to state the law, where do I get the law from? 
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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Ian-B
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| posted on 6/12/15 at 08:09 AM |
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My understanding is that it would not be illegal if driven under B+E license (I believe the law is different for driving with B license and in this
case the max plated mass is used not actual mass).
I would also be very interested if someone was able to provide the actual legislation, the only time I have ever been pulled over by the police was
when towing a 1.5 tonne trailer with a car with a 800kg towing limit, the trailer was very lightly loaded, the traffic officer was doing vehicle
checks he checked all lights and tyres, made no mention of being overladen and let me on my way. Maybe the law has changed as that was back in 2001.
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chillis
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| posted on 6/12/15 at 01:38 PM |
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Firstly find out the gross train weight you are allowed to have with your driving licence.
Next find out the gross train weight of your towing vehicle, you will then know your max trailer plated weight that you can legally tow. If you are
well within your permitted GTW then find a towing vehicle that can tow your 1500gk trailer, if not then find a trailer with a plated weight
that's within what you can tow.
Changing the plated weight of the trailer legally, requires a re-plated weight, chassis plate from the manufacturer. They will want to know your TIN
and likely want the old plate back so you cannot (illegally) refit it later when you sell the trailer. Refitting the original plate would be illegal
once you had down-rated the plated weight and the trailer would have to be re-IVA'd before the original weight might be restored.
Never under estimate the ingenuity of an idiot!
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 6/12/15 at 06:11 PM |
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If the car's VIN plate states 1300Kg maximum, you can tow a trailer plated up to 1300Kg. This has been said already, this is how it is. You
can't attach a 1500Kg plated trailer to such a car, loaded or unloaded.
Your local enforcers may not know the rules, but the enforcer that escorts you to a VOSA site, such as the one off the M5 near Taunton does. Non
compliance will mean an immediate impoundment/fine/other punitive measure. Other bored enforcers languish on the A46/A52 junction, they'll
really make your day, unless Unite has them all out on strike.
Towing with an old vehicle will increase the interest from the enforcers and provide them with a means of really getting some job satisfaction. The
enforcers will also want to know where you stole the trailer and if the car was in it when you stole it.
Others towing at 85-90 mph with a new car, while on the phone, seem to have no problem, though I'm sure still illegal.
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