Anyone here understand towing law and max weights?

[Peter]

Yes, I know several people who have been stopped, issued with prohibition notices, and had to fit tachos in pickups or transit sized vehicles.

 

It seems the majority of people choose to ignore the law until they get caught.

 

However, since Richard is collecting a tractor for pleasure purposes and not for work, then this doesnt really apply to him.

[twistedhicap]

I do move farm stock, and the law is totally different.

 

not on weights and vehicle trailer combinations it isnt !

 

yes there are movement licenses and competence of livestock transport certificates required too

 

oh and different rules depending on length of jounry time etc

[treequip]

I'm assuming that picking up an old tractor I've bought for tinkering purposes (a toy, to be frank) does not put me into tacho / op license territory, ....................

 

Quite right although you were never in any danger of "O" licence territory

 

Now enough of this, go get the tractor and post some pictures

[Bart]

Not been mentioned yet but if its not for hire of reward you wont need a tacho so tow away:001_smile: may be wrong tho this is a highly confusing area

[treequip]

Not been mentioned yet but if its not for hire of reward you wont need a tacho so tow away:001_smile: may be wrong tho this is a highly confusing area

 

You aren’t wrong and it has been mentioned

[T14EES T14UNK]

Yes it does. Because trailers under 3500kg mam aren’t subject to test you can DIY it and its weight is anything under its design weight and anything over what it weighs empty plus a little for payload.

 

I got stopped by a friendly copper (typically a bit off at first but came round after realizing I was being polite) and basically put me right on this subject.

 

I got in touch with Ifor and got a new plate to de-rate my 2700kg trailer to a 2000kg. So that's sorted and I'm legal.

 

My question is, can I DIY my plate back up to 2700kg for when (or if) I'm pulling something else that is heavier than my chipper. As long as it max's out at no more than 2700kg obviously.

[RichardT]

I'm losing the will to live, let alone get the ******** tractor!

 

Will post pics of machine (early baby Mog) if possible, failing that of me in cuffs.

 

Thanks for interest and advice, a bottle of Laphroaig is now demanding my attention, it's the only sane response.

[Bart]

Must read threads more thoroughly, the whole trailer towing thing really annoys me having passed my test in march 97:angry:

[ecolojim]

time to throw another spanner in the works

 

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Quick%20guide%20to%20towing%20small%20trailers.pdf

 

vosa document making no mention to the trailer plate, only as its 'design weight' and only specifying that thou shalt not exceed the weights on the VIN

[Peter]

My question is, can I DIY my plate back up to 2700kg for when (or if) I'm pulling something else that is heavier than my chipper. As long as it max's out at no more than 2700kg obviously.

 

As long as you don't exceed the original design weight, or th vehicles max towing capacity, plate it at whatever you want as long as its no less than the trailers unladen weight.

 

Clear?