Ratman

I cant copy it across for some reason but his ordeal is on page 2 towards half way down

I’ll let you tell EdwardC he went to court and got done for no reason [emoji106]

Not sure about a “law” but you can be held accountable for a lost load or unstable load if your pulled over, it is defo your responsibility to ensure your load is safe and secure. At work we have to strap every pallet which in our case is 10 pallets of cement down each side of a tautliner stacked 2 high, 10 straps in total. And that is “law” in scotland because it is under hgv laws, uk is not law yet but advisory, i would imagine it will come in soon though.

Some info taken from BRINK towbars website. Laws and regulations If you have a towbar installed on your car, several legal rules and requirements are in effect. If you are driving with a trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox attached, there are many rules to follow at home and abroad as well. MOT test During the MOT test, your towbar construction is checked as well. Your towbar ball should not be too worn and the locking mechanism should function properly for a detachable towbar. In addition, three important requirements are checked. Type test The towbar has to have a type test. This is listed on the type plate of your towbar. If the type plate is missing, you may only tow a trailer that weighs less than 750 kg, load included. In addition, your trailer including load should not weigh more than the total weight of the towing car. Wet en regelgeving Indicators When towing a trailer, your car should have indicators on the side. Towbar and Nose Weight The weight with which the coupling of your trailer, caravan, boat trailer or horsebox pushes down on the towbar, should not exceed the limit set by the towbar manufacturer. This value is listed on the type plate of your towbar. In addition, check the Hand Book of your car and the towed vehicle, as other values might be listed there. The basic principle is that the lowest value determines the maximum weight, which you should never be exceeded. Visible license plate It is not allowed for the towbar to (partially) cover your car’s license plate. If the plate is covered or partially covered, you need to move the license plate and adjust the license plate lights. A towbar with detachable ball could be an alternative. Changes The rules and regulations with regard to towbars and trailers are subject to change. We recommend regularly checking the DVSA website in order to stay abreast of the latest applicable rules and regulations.

According to the rule book yes, another instance, i owned a vw touran a few years back and that had a maximum towing weight of 1500kgs, the new caravan i wanted to buy had a MPTLM (maximum permissible towing laden mass) of 1540kgs.... simple terms, the car had to go! All for the sake of 40kgs!!! Your towbar should also have its manufacturers plate fitted with all its specifications displayed on it too.

I didn’t do it personally, it was my manager at the time at work, he got in touch with dvla at the time, now dvsa and got a form to fill out, which basically takes all the details and assures that everything is in place to meet type approval. Was a while ago when he did it, he’s retired now but would imagine its all relatively the same process [emoji106]

Possible to down rate a trailer, you have to go through dvsa and required to meet type approval too.

Non plated i would expect will fall under non braked rules which would be laden up to a mass of 750kgs. If you’ve beefed one up and fit 750kgs+ indispension units but not fitted a brake system to compensate for extra weight, then you will succumb to 750kgs non braked regs. If you’ve fit up rated indispension units of 750kgs+ so for example 1000kgs units and fitted a brake system then i would imagine you will be legal up to 1000kgs (1 tonne) legally provided you hold the appropriate licence. If all that made sense?!! But thats just my take on it, not 100% sure for law purposes ?‍♂️ I have hgv licence so can tow pretty much anything according to my licence as far as my age limitations but even i will fall under weight laws same as every one else. So i can tow a unbraked trailer under 750kgs with no probs in any way. Can tow a braked trailer at 750kgs+ with no probs in any way..... provided the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed my kerb weight of my vehicle, AND the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer do not exceed 3500kgs. Hope that all makes sense and helps [emoji106]

Are you talking like a “homemade” going to the local tip trailer or a beefed up more capable weight carrying trailer?

??? class! [emoji108]

Taken from a site off google, should help ya and is pretty clear for ya [emoji106] you just need to be careful when combining your weights thats main thing, but this is all dependant on what age you are and what licence you hold. But the plated weight must not be exceeded in any case. Towing - the legal bits Whether you’re planning a caravanning holiday or moving house, you need to make sure you comply with the law on towing. Restrictions differ on when your driving licence was issued. Licences issued from 1 January 1997 If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: Drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM Tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded. You have to pass the car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier - this is called a B+E test. You might need several lessons before you’re ready to take the test. Licences issued before 1 January 1997 If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM. And a little extra to add in also...... What does towing capacity mean? Most cars have a maximum weight that they can tow safely and legally. The first thing to do is make sure that what you wish to tow doesn’t exceed the trailer's own maximum authorised mass or the car's maximum towing capacity; both figures should be easy to find in the drivers manual. There are usually two maximum towing weights that will be specified: a braked trailer weight and an unbraked one. It’s important to note that if the trailer weight is more than 750kg or over half the car’s kerb weight (this is the weight of the car without people or luggage inside and should be listed in the manual), the trailer must be fitted with brakes. The second important thing to point out is the maximum capacity will also include the weight of the trailer/caravan/horsebox itself, so you’ll need to add that into the equation when thinking about how much weight you can transport.

What licence do you hold?

Plated weight

If its 30yds away from you then its a no brainer! You’ll get back what you fork out in security measures in no time, simply from saving fuel and time travelling to somewhere else, plus you can keep your eye on everything ?

Seen those “home mades” go wrong, luckily with no serious injury!!! Nylon spools were invented for a reason. I’ve a strimmer with a saw blade shat itself too! One half of the blade went full bore in to the stem of a weeping willow, couldnt get it out, the other half was never found!!! [emoji33][emoji37]

hope these strides here are fully genuine Mr Stubby, or have you swapped the badges too?......[emoji6] Nice stitching tho if you have[emoji39]

Na!!!... you not scruffy!!!

Help me out Spud..... wipe it off will ya!

?‍♂️ try anything once me!

He did send me a small strange looking pot of cream with the pants now you come to mention it...... [emoji848][emoji6] ahh thanks spud you’ve just solved the puzzle for me! [emoji106]