can ifor trailers carry more than 3500kg - legally.

[Matthew Storrs]

I know the gross weight of the bigger Ifor trailers are rated at 3500kg, but if towing behind a landrover and the trailer is fitted with close coupled brakes then it the gross weight is 4000kg, so, what is the limiting factor when towing an Ifor behind a tractor for example, if it had tri-axles then they wouldn't be overloaded, or would the trailer still have to have close coupled brakes even if its behind a tractor.

Does anyone know if ifor (or any other manufacturer) can make a trailer plated at 4000kg. I am going round in circles trying to think of a setup to tow my 3ton digger and about 500kg worth of attachments legally. Lorrys are out of the question but a suitably rated ifor to go behind my tractor may be the best bet if I can get a over the 3500kg limit problem..

[mendiplogs]

I know the gross weight of the bigger Ifor trailers are rated at 3500kg, but if towing behind a landrover and the trailer is fitted with close coupled brakes then it the gross weight is 4000kg, so, what is the limiting factor when towing an Ifor behind a tractor for example, if it had tri-axles then they wouldn't be overloaded, or would the trailer still have to have close coupled brakes even if its behind a tractor.

Does anyone know if ifor (or any other manufacturer) can make a trailer plated at 4000kg. I am going round in circles trying to think of a setup to tow my 3ton digger and about 500kg worth of attachments legally. Lorrys are out of the question but a suitably rated ifor to go behind my tractor may be the best bet if I can get a over the 3500kg limit problem..

 

HI MATTHEW ifor do a 4000kgs but you have hydraulic brakes my mate has small plant tractor trailer or get 6ton tractor trailer with ramps how fast is your tractor thanks jon

[openspaceman]

I know the gross weight of the bigger Ifor trailers are rated at 3500kg, but if towing behind a landrover and the trailer is fitted with close coupled brakes then it the gross weight is 4000kg, so, what is the limiting factor when towing an Ifor behind a tractor for example, if it had tri-axles then they wouldn't be overloaded, or would the trailer still have to have close coupled brakes even if its behind a tractor.

Does anyone know if ifor (or any other manufacturer) can make a trailer plated at 4000kg. I am going round in circles trying to think of a setup to tow my 3ton digger and about 500kg worth of attachments legally. Lorrys are out of the question but a suitably rated ifor to go behind my tractor may be the best bet if I can get a over the 3500kg limit problem..

 

There is an absolute limit of 3500kg for overrun brakes on the road whatever vehicle is towing.

 

LRs can tow up to 4000kg with brakes coupled to the service brake ( i.e. the braking effort of the trailer is controlled by the vehicle brake pedal and proportionate to the braking effort of the vehicle). Tractors are practically limited to 14 tonnes trailers and the brakes must be operated by the service brake if the tractor/trailer is post 1986.

 

The only way I can see getting a bigger payload and staying below 7.5 tonnes is with a semi trailer but I'm unsure of the licence implications. Also 5th wheel set ups seem very expensive.

[Arbtech Tree Services]

If i remember correctly, once past overrun brakes @ 3500kG you enter the requirements for plating ie. the trailer needs testing every year.

 

Regards,

 

Steve.

[gensetsteve]

I dont think ifor make a trailer that grosses at more than 3500kg. And if they did there is no way I would want to go above 35 mph with it behind a Landrover. Landcruiser possibly 60mph tops

[LGP Eddie]

Not knowing your exact machine/attachments weights at this point, but this may be possibly the only real alternative trailer option out there at present?

 

Excavator Plant Trailer, Digger Trailer,3.5t Gross (Trailer 500kgs ONLY) | eBay

 

They've been advertised a while and made fairly locally to me? The claim is a 500kg trailer capable of carrying the full 3000kg of machine legally?

 

The 500kg of attachments should fairly easily become ballast in the towing vehicle (you're going to need it) keeping things legal?

 

The days of towing easily are eroding fast I'm certain? You'll need a tacho fitting and once the vehicle has a tacho you'll need to be keeping records of all the journeys and work you're undertaking.

Obviously exemptions apply, but don't get caught a yard out of the radius from base, or they'll have you big time.

 

Mot's for trailers is just around the corner I'd assume too?

 

What about a driver CPC is your setup is towing 3500kg commercially?

 

 

I really don't have the answers myself, it's such a mess it's untrue, with everyone telling a different story with regard to towing these days?

 

I was last led to believe if even if the trailer is empty they can now have you on what the trailer is actually plated to carry plus the gross weight on the plate on the towing vehicle if it exceeds 3500kg?

 

In my own instance hitching a trailer of even 1000kg gross on the plate empty, onto a Defender 90 at 2550kg gross would have me into all the tacho regulations?

 

I've looked at the lightest decent Ifor available at 275kg, then having it plated down to 925kg? this would keep me totally under all regulations, and allow 650kg which is enough for an odd bucket, attachment or Fuel Cube if necessary.

 

Plenty are towing so illegally it's untrue, but the noose is getting tighter and the Insurance companies will wriggle straight out of paying should it all go wrong and found to be an illegal setup?

 

The Jobs on it's arse!

 

Eddie

[doobin]

Old beavertail to go behind your tractor, with hydraulic brakes. Sorted.

 

Or hire a local guy with a beavertail. Get a good working relationship going so that he just picks the digger up and meets you on site, and it could well save you more in time than it costs. Plus towing etc isn't cheap regardless, there's always a hidden cost when doing it yourself.

[LGP Eddie]

Old beavertail to go behind your tractor, with hydraulic brakes. Sorted.

 

In what circumstances would this be legal do you think?

 

 

Eddie.

[doobin]

Legal to tow behind an agricultural tractor at 20mph. Which Matt was contemplating doing with an Ifor, which wouldn't be legal due to having ovverun brakes. You know the ones I mean- like a short bale trailer with a beavertail, usually around the 6 ton mark.

 

Or go the whole hog and get a Cheftian low loader.

[Matthew Storrs]

In what circumstances would this be legal do you think?

 

 

Eddie.

 

I'm assuming he means a dual axle plant trailer for a tractor? Which I think would be legal although I'm never really sure:laugh1:

Eddie its a takeuchi tb125 which weighs 2790kg, I'm not sure if that includes buckets etc. I have an I for flatbed which weighs 620kg. The auger, grab and post knocker will weigh slightly less then 500kg I think. I believe that if I put all the attachments in the back of my 110 hicap, and tow just the digger on the trailer then I should just scrape under the limit. I think this is possibly too much to ask of a landrover on a regular basis in hilly ground, who knows. Certainly wouldn't go anywhere off road towing that kind of weight in a landy.

Some sort of arrangement behind the tractor looks to be the most durable option.