Changing trailer weight limit plate

[frogworlduk]

So looking at getting a trailer but limited to weight from having various sized vehicles. I'm essentially looking for a 10x5 caged trailer and would prefer one with wheels to the side rather than directly underneath and 2700kg . I never use for wood chip but more for shifting fencing, quad bike, type 1 and occasional mini digger, so loading height is better lower. - correct me if i'm wrong?

 

My main question is thus- can i change the trailer details plate to down rate it?. We use vivaros and rangers and the vivaro can only tow 2000kg so thinking of changing the plate to 2000kg then remove it when it goes on the rangers that can handle 2700kg. Would there be any legal problems if this happened at all?

 

 

[Dan Maynard]

I believe that changing the plate makes no difference, you will not be prosecuted for having a trailer plated more than the vehicle rating. I used to tow a 2700kg trailer behind my car sometimes, but now have a defender and 3500kg trailer so the problem went away.

[Botty Cough]

1 minute ago, Dan Maynard said:

I believe that changing the plate makes no difference, you will not be prosecuted for having a trailer plated more than the vehicle rating. I used to tow a 2700kg trailer behind my car sometimes, but now have a defender and 3500kg trailer so the problem went away.

Thing is tho having a trailer that is plated to carry more than the vehicle's maximum does technically give you the capacity to over load so it is an offence.

[frogworlduk]

No thats the problem. you aren't supposed to tow even an empty trailer even the potential gross train weight is higher than stated on the towing vehicle. i'e cant tow a 2700 empty trailer with the vivaro.- as far as i've seen and heard.

[Botty Cough]

1 minute ago, frogworlduk said:

No thats the problem. you aren't supposed to tow even an empty trailer even the potential gross train weight is higher than stated on the towing vehicle. i'e cant tow a 2700 empty trailer with the vivaro.- as far as i've seen and heard.

Plating a trailer for less to matc a vehicle capacity is most likely ok. 

Edited March 21 by Botty Cough

[Dan Maynard]

https://www.iwt.co.uk/customer-care/faq-categories/towing-and-towing-laws/show/can-i-still-tow-this-trailer/

[Dan Maynard]

I think the regs have changed. See above link, Ifor are telling you you don't need to downplate.

[Botty Cough]

2 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

I think the regs have changed. See above link, Ifor are telling you you don't need to downplate.

So it's upto the driver to make sure they don't overload even though they have the capacity to do so by the look of it now then,

[john87]

5 minutes ago, Botty Cough said:

So it's upto the driver to make sure they don't overload even though they have the capacity to do so by the look of it now then,

I agree with your version, that is what i always understood. It would be like trying to drive a 16ton rigid on a car licence but saying that you will not carry anything with it [Even then i would think it would be over 7.5ton]

 

john..

[Treewolf]

The regs changed years ago and are as in the IWT note. All that matters now is the actual weight you're towing, not the plated MAM.