Should towing/vehicle weight laws change?

[skc101fc]

That's just one of the issues of overrun brakes. Same thing occurs on ice when the towing vehicle with all wheels locked and sliding doesnt actually offer enough resistance to work the trailer brakes. Regarding vehicles in other countries, in the USA for example electric brakes are the norm. These use electromagnetic modules to apply friction to hubs on the trailers at any time the brake lights operate. Forwards or reverse. The amount of effort applied is variable dependant on weight of trailer plus load.

Yes I wholeheartedly agree that something needs doing regardind ag vehicles and trailer licensing . But until we get away from overrun braking the trailer weights need to be kept low to match the vehicle's capabilities.

 

 

[James Atkinson]

I have no problems with the laws. Apart from the strange having a yard to run a 7.5t vehicle [emoji23]

[richy_B]

They don't want 'commercial' vehicles parked on residential roads.

[James Atkinson]

They don't want 'commercial' vehicles parked on residential roads.

Don't really have a problem with that bit you can't even put it on your own drive haha

[James Atkinson]

But*

[roseyweb]

Would you want a big ugly van or lorry on your drive? 

I had my van on my drive for a bit done my head and really unsociable on my neighbours. 

Guess js depends on how big your drive is, i have a shared one 

 

[James Atkinson]

Would you want a big ugly van or lorry on your drive? 
I had my van on my drive for a bit done my head and really unsociable on my neighbours. 
Guess js depends on how big your drive is, i have a shared one 
 

That is a very good point. I guess I live out in the country so pretty on my own, but you can see why the rules are their

[Matthew Storrs]

6 hours ago, agrimog said:

why are tractors allowed such heavy trailers......easy, they are restricted to 25mph, and must have sutible brakes to cope with the load. and as for pulling 3.5t loads with a land rover.....wouldnt do it , ever, the military downrate them for a reason. the only reason they have the magic 3.5t towing is so they can sell more of them  (harks back to the LR stonefield fiasco of the past, and how many MP's had money invested in LR at the time)

Rubbish, my Landrover 110 pulls a 3 ton digger with 500kg in the pickup bed too all over Dartmoor hills on a daily basis. I have been doing this with the same Landrover for over 7 years, never had an accident/incident despite meeting people on blind bends etc.

 

the problem is not with the Landrovers it is with the drivers who have no experience of towing such weights and consequently go to fast/ badly loaded/ poorly maintained trailers etc.

a fully loaded trailer should pull up fast with good brakes, if your snaking your badly loaded, and if your suffering breakdowns regularly as a result you are either pushing it too hard or don’t maintain it right.

[Matthew Storrs]

3 hours ago, Woodworks said:

Couldn't agree more. Had a moment in a 90 with no more than 2.5 tonne on the back. Going up a wet narrow lane and had to pull in to let a car pass. Put the brakes on and started sliding backwards down the hill as the car was passing. I did stop once out in the middle of the road but a scary moment that I am not keen to repeat. A heavier vehicle or air brakes on the trailer would probably have avoided the situation.

This is a problem, but it lies with the trailer braking system not so much the towing vehicle. The overun system is as outdated, as you know my tractor weighing only 3.5 tons can tow 10 ton, stop on a hill and not move due to decent hydraulic brakes. If it was overun brakes the weight ratios would soon see the tractor dragged back down the hill. IMO Landys and the like are more than capable of towing 3.5t safely, but electro hydraulic brakes should probably be mandatory..

 

[swinny]

4 hours ago, Woodworks said:

Couldn't agree more. Had a moment in a 90 with no more than 2.5 tonne on the back. Going up a wet narrow lane and had to pull in to let a car pass. Put the brakes on and started sliding backwards down the hill as the car was passing. I did stop once out in the middle of the road but a scary moment that I am not keen to repeat. A heavier vehicle or air brakes on the trailer would probably have avoided the situation.

What do they weigh unlaiden? The landrover.

Many thanks