trailer regs

[hedgesparrow]

found this may be of interest to those who use trailers. including home made one,s seems i can still use my one which is a converted caravan chassie. can still use it.

The Law for Trailers

 

ALL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED AFTER OCTOBER 28, 2012.

 

New laws that apply to almost every trailer completed after 28-10-12 mean that very few new trailers can be sold or used in the UK unless they have an approval certifcate. This change has been brought about by a vehicle quality standardisation programme instituted by the United Nations, requiring whole vehicle type approval on new trailers made or sold in the UK. These rules have been in place in mainland Europe for many years.

 

What it means to us in the UK is the end of cowboy trailer building. Every part of the manufacturing process and every bought-in part used to assemble a trailer now has to pass stringent quality controls.

 

There are two main ways of achieving this approval.

 

The larger manufacturers are expected to have sought and gained whole vehicle type approval certifcation for their trailers in much the same way as Jaguar, BMW or Ford have been granted type approval certificates for the cars they make.

 

Smaller and specialist manufacturers, , who do not have huge production runs of identical trailers, are more likely to go down the individual vehicle approval route. , and companies , will submit every trailer they make for inspection by the UK Government's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. VOSA's inspectors will go through every trailer with a fine-tooth comb, checking the quality of construction and of the materials used. They must also check that every bought-in component, such as brakes, axles, lights and hitches, has proper EC approval.

 

The only trailers that do not need to be submitted for approval are stock trailers that were completed before October 29, 2012 or special purpose trailers. One-off trailers that are designated "special purpose" fall under the testing regime from the end of October 2014.

 

As we understand the law, the approval rules also apply to trailers built by a person for his or her own use.

 

Towing in the United Kingdom

 

 

 

Size

 

Unless you are towing with a vehicle equipped with an air brakes system that is capable of being connected to the trailer, the heaviest trailer allowed on UK roads is 3500kg gross wt.

 

Maximum length (excluding coupling and drawbar) 7 metres

 

Maximum width 2.55 metres

 

 

 

Check the manufacturer's recommended towing weight limit for your vehicle. This should be in the handbook and on the VIN plate on the chasis.

 

Unbraked trailers

 

No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated gross vehicle weight* of more than 750 kg. No unbraked trailer is allowed to have a plated gross vehicle weight that is more than half the kerb weight of the vehicle that is towing it.

 

*The combined weight of the trailer and the maximum amount of cargo it is designed to carry.

 

Braked Trailers

 

Although trailers with overrun brakes can weigh up to 3500kg gross, actual maximum weights are set by the specifications of the vehicle that is doing the towing. The law says you must not exceed the Gross Train Weight that the manufacturer has set for the towing vehicle. Look in the vehilce handbook or on a plate riveted to the vehicle to find this figure. You then have to subtract the weight of the towing vehicle (including fuel, driver, passengers, luggage or cargo) from the Gross Train Weight. The amount you are left with is the maximum theoretically-possible weight of trailer that can be towed legally. REMEMBER, the law does not care whether the trailer is empty or packed to the roof with bricks, what counts is the plated gross vehicle weight of the trailer.

 

Loading

 

Your load must be securely tied down.

 

Check your load doesn’t exceed the trailer's specification.

Loads should be evenly distributed and recommended nose weight limit should not be exceeded.

Load projections should be avoided to minimise risk to others.

Lighting for Trailers

 

Trailers must have two red sidelights, two red stop lights, a number plate light, two triangular red reflectors and amber indicators (which flash between 60 and 120 times per minute) at the rear. Trailers over 1.3m wide must also have one fog lamp, mounted either in the centre of the vehilce or to the right of centre. Front reflectors are required for trailers less than 1.6m wide and front position lights for trailers wider than 1.6m.

 

Number Plates

 

Trailers are required to have legal number plates manufactured by a licensed number plate manufacturer.

 

Couplings

 

 

 

Trailers should be fitted with 50mm ball coupling to ISO and BSI standards.

 

 

 

Unbraked trailers must have a stout secondary coupling, such as a chain, which is connected securely to the towing vehicle when it is being towed. The secondary coupling must be tight enough to prevent the trailer's tow hitch from hitting the ground if the vehicle becomes uncoupled.

 

 

 

Braked trailers must be fitted with hydraulically damped coupling and auto reverse brakes to give braking efficiencies required by EEC Directive 71/320. All wheels must be braked. Braked trailers must be fitted with a breakaway cable. This must be attached to the towing vehicle in such a manner so that, should the trailer become detached, the breakaway cable will operate the trailer's brakes. It is not advisable to connect the breakaway cable to the towball itself, unless it cannot be avoided. Most tow bars have either a drilled hole, or pigtail attachment, specifically intended to accept the breakaway cable's spring clip.

 

Braked trailers must be fitted with a parking brake that operates on at least two road wheels on the same axle.

 

 

Speed

 

The maximum speed limit for trailers is 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. The limit on other roads is 50mph unless a lower road speed limit is in operation. Trailers are not permitted in the outside lane of motorways.

 

Drivers Licence

 

Holders of driving licences issued before July 1996 and providing that they have Group A or if after 1990, category B, are entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to a maximum train weight of 8.25 tons.

 

However holders of car licences issued after July 1996 will only be able to drive a vehicle and trailer combination of up to 3500kg assuming that the trailer and its load are lighter than the towing vehicle. ie. a 2000kg vehicle with a 1500kg trailer. To tow a larger trailer wighing up to 3500kg a B + E licence must be obtained.

 

Tachograph

 

If you are towing for commercial reasons and the combined potential weight of your vehicle and your trailer exceeds 3500kg you should have a tachograph fitted to your vehicle.

 

Towing vehicle

 

Having ensured that the towing vehicle is suitable size for the trailer, ensure that the towing bracket is of an approved type and is properly secured. A 50mm diameter towing ball is mormally required to British Standard BS AU113L 1979 or ISO Standard 1103, this will have a flat top which is stamped ISO 50.

 

If the towing jaw is used it must comply with the requirements of BS AU 24 1964

 

 

 

The vehicle coupling must be at a height which will permit the trailer to stand level when on level ground and the towing vehicle should be fitted with a standard 7 pin electrical socket type 12N wired standard as follows:

 

Pin No. 1

 

Left flasher Yellow

Pin No. 2 Fog Lamp Blue

Pin No. 3 Earth White

Pin No. 4 Right Flasher Green

Pin No. 5 Side/tail lamps Brown

Pin No. 6 Stop lamps Red

Pin No. 7 Side/tail lamps Black

[agrimog]

there are currently 3 different standards for wiring trailer plugs, and none of the above rules apply for agricultural trailers or towed equipment

[BARNSLEY BOB]

there are currently 3 different standards for wiring trailer plugs, and none of the above rules apply for agricultural trailers or towed equipment

 

i think you will find you are completely wrong......

 

uk road traffic regulations apply in scotland.

 

not going to argue,, simply get "Agricultural Vehicles on the Road" by "Mike Braithwaite"

 

even timber trailers have to have brakes throughout europe,and at this time you aint voted to get out of either.

[farmer rod]

Bob, would a timber trailer that was not used for carrying a load on the highway require brakes?

 

thanks

Rod

[treequip]

found this may be of interest to those who use trailers. including home made one,s seems i can still use my one which is a converted caravan chassie. can still use it.

The Law for Trailers

 

ALL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED AFTER OCTOBER 28, 2012.

 

New laws that apply to almost every trailer......................

 

 

 

Yeah yeah

 

I think you will find that all that is covered by the

 

"don't you know I am a tree surgeon"

 

general exemption.:laugh1:

[agrimog]

barnsley bob, I think you'll find most of the RTA sections dont apply to agri trailers below 20mph, and as tractors legally cant exceed 20mph they dont apply, and you dont build new trailers, you repair old ones......even if the only original part is a wheel nut, its a repair....how do they prove otherwise. there is NO test for a non commercial trailer.

[devon TWiG]

I get the impression that NO road regulations apply to the agricultural industry !! lol ... Are you sure ag tractors cannot exceed 20 mph ? I have been overtaken by them before ! also they do not seem to hold up traffic so much nowadays as they are so fast , typically 30- 35 mph

Edited July 25, 2014 by devon TWiG

[openspaceman]

Bob, would a timber trailer that was not used for carrying a load on the highway require brakes?

 

thanks

Rod

 

yes unless it was an agricultural trailed appliance less than 14 tonnes or grosses less than 750kg. I winged it on the basis that it was a harvesting implement much as a baler is and they don't require brakes. Planning on taking the moheda somewhere?

 

Easy enough to weld on braked stub axles but never go round tuit

[treequip]

I get the impression that NO road regulations apply to the agricultural industry !! lol ... Are you sure ag tractors cannot exceed 20 mph ? I have been overtaken by them before ! also they do not seem to hold up traffic so much nowadays as they are so fast , typically 30- 35 mph

 

Can and shouldn't

[agrimog]

it was a slightly sarcastic dig at speed, most tractors these days are fitted with 40,50, or 60k gearboxes, the RTA actually states that the speed limit for tractors (defined in the construction and use act) shall not exceed 20mph, its been the same since 1964 ammendment! any switched on traffic bod will have the driver for speeding, then tot up the offences for tyres, trailers, and anything else under the latter, so one stop could loose your licence. (ie, a 4 wheeled farm trailer being towed at between 30-40 mph, fitted with tyres rated at 25mph, 3 points a tyre, and up to a grand each in fines, things like that)