Trailer towing weights.

[Alycidon]

Currently I run a Defender and and two IFW trailers both rated at 2700 kgs. I have and use a tacho but have no need of operating centre, 6 week checks etc. I do have to abide by drivers hours but thats it.

 

I am looking at a bigger trailer to take more bags of logs out at a go as I sometimes go 30 miles out, taking 3 drops would be more economical than 2 drops. I also pick up 2 tonnes of wood pellets 3 or 4 times a year, that I think takes me just over 2700 on the IFW GD85.

 

So if I upgrade to a 3500 kg trailer which the Defender can pull then would that take me into the realms of operating centre etc. I have been though the CPC requirements in detail with Vosa, that drives around the weight of the towing vehicle so no change.

 

Think uprating would be fine other than some difficulty getting a 4m trailer into some places but one of the 2700kgs is 3m so that would do.

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

 

A

[briquette_seller]

As long as your unladen weight doesnt exceed 3.5 tonne, you dont need an OL.

I think...............

[Paper Rustler]

I got pulled last night and was told that I needed a tacho because of the plated weight of my vehicle and trailer. Not the fact that I had any weight on the trailer or vehicle.

 

Also I would need an operating Licence as well as I get a "reward" out of selling my logs as in hire or reward.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Paper Rustler

[briquette_seller]

Also, i believe, if your unladen weight is under 3.5 tonne, you work to GB domestic rules, not EU rules, and as long as you drive for less than 4 hours a day, no rules apply.

 

Exemptions to the GB domestic rules

The GB Domestic rules don’t apply if you:

 

drive for less than 4 hours in any day

drive off-road or on private roads during duty time

drive a vehicle used by the armed forces, police or fire brigade

are dealing with an emergency, eg major disruption to public services or danger to life

[Alycidon]

I got pulled last night and was told that I needed a tacho because of the plated weight of my vehicle and trailer. Not the fact that I had any weight on the trailer or vehicle

 

If you are on Hire and reward then you do, I got pulled off the M6 on a Police check three years ago. There is a loophole taking plant to site and the driver using it, if within 30 miles of base then no tacho but if the driver drops the gear and goes or others use the gear then its Tacho.

 

If your max all up train weight exceeds 3.5t then its tacho, so towing vech + trailer + max cargo weight. In theory something like a BMW 7 series which weighs a lot could only pull a trailer about the size of a wheel barrow without needing a tacho.

 

A

[scraggs]

Your gvw can exceed 3500kg if using a "dual-purpose vehicles (e.g. Land Rovers)

and their trailers; and you don't need an OL

OL guide page 5

Edited July 14, 2015 by scraggs

[carlos]

god iam glad i live in ireland!!! still bound to be more strict soon though.

[Treewolf]

To the best of my understanding you can use a 3.5 ton trailer with tacho as you are doing now with no extra requirements.

[Richard 1234]

I'm using an l200 with 3 tonne plated trailer and as far as I'm aware I don't need any taco or operating licence?

[skc101fc]

As Carlos says I'm glad I live in Ireland. I doubt the rule book will ever make it down to the far S.W.

I'm dreading driving back in the UK, - might as well just surrender my license now !!!

Shaun