26 replies to this topic

[fiestaharry]

hi guys quick one for you, passed my test in 2010, I'm looking to get a towbar fitted to my VW t5 and get a car trailer, as i have spent a lot this year getting various minis transported to me. been on the DVLA website and have found this info:

 

category B

 

you can tow trailers unto 750 KG MAM

 

you can also tow larger trailers if the combined trailer and vehicle MAM isn't more than 3500KG

 

SO

 

the kerb weight of a VW t5 is 1798 KG

a classic mini weights 640KG

and the trailer weighs 550KG

 

so thats a total of 2988 KG  (allows around 500 KG for me, fuel and other bits)

 

this means i fall into the category of "you can also tow larger trailers if the combined weight isn't more than 3500 KG"

 

am i legal if i do this?

 

 

[Sam]

You need to find out some more information:

 

Whats the MAM / gross weight of the T5?

Whats the MAM / gross weight of the trailer you want to buy? 

[Broomer]

Don't hold me to this but for the MAM shouldn't you be using the maximum weights of the tow car and trailer as apposed to the unloaded weights?
Which in that case you are most likely over the limit before you even put a single item on the trailer.

[nicklouse]

Actual weights mean nothing. As it is not the actual weights but the theoretical maximums.

Or take your test for towing.

[fiestaharry]

think the gross weight is 2800 KG on the t5

 

and the payload of the trailers is 2150 Kg

[Jordie]

2800 plus 2100 exceeds 3500 so that vehicle trailer combo wont work without sitting the trailer test.

[Sam]

If the payload is 2150 then the gross will be in excess of 2500kg! 

Edited by Sam, 26 June 2016 - 05:12 PM.

[minifreek1]

Maximum you are allowed to tow with any vehicle on your licence is 750Kg and nothing more....

 

If you sit your E test then you will be legal to tow anything as long as the combined 'train weight' doesn't exceed 3500Kg, thats with you, luggage, trailer and vehicle on the trailer....

[Jordie]

Sorry but that is wrong.

 

Category B

You can tow trailers up to 750kg MAM (maximum authorised mass).

You can also tow larger trailers if the combined trailer and vehicle MAM isn’t more than 3,500kg.

 

 

Based on this webpage and passing test before 2013.

https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules

[fiestaharry]

its such a grey area, to me the link you have just posted JORDIE means the total weight of everything i worked out was 2988kg so this is legal? i think i am just going to have to do my trailer test as it is a 9 point fine or 1000 pounds minimum penalty or a ban

 

You can also tow heavier trailers with a car as long as the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg

[Jordie]

Maximum authorised mass

Maximum authorised mass (MAM) means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.

This is also known as gross vehicle weight (GVW) or permissible maximum weight.

It will be listed in the owner’s manual and is normally shown on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle.

 

 

You need to use the Max Authorized Mass (MAM) of the tow vehicle and MAM of the trailer.

 

The actual kerb weights may be under 3500kg but the MAM is what you need to look at.

 

For example, you could be towing an empty large trailer and be over the MAM of 3500kg on your license.

 

You need to have a specific vehicle and trailer where the combo are under 3500kg MAM. You also need to consider the towing vehicles "towing capacity" and weight (trailer weight in relation to car weight). It can get complicated.

 

Trailer training and test would be ideal as you see people who cant reverse or manourve a trailer.

[Minimattvan]

I wanted to tow a car trailer too. Behind a subaru brat pickup- which are pretty light! I understood from what the dvla had worded it that if the trailer was under 750 kg then I could legally tow it. Then they say " combined train weight of 3500 kg" for larger trailers and for anything heavier then u need a trailer test. But the way they word it is s*** and I am confident that I can have my 800ish kg pickup and 600 ish kg trailer with a car loaded on it- but I dare'nt do it because knowing my luck I will end up with a fine

I was basing my weights on actual weights but how do you work out the gross weights?

[Broomer]

Maximum you are allowed to tow with any vehicle on your licence is 750Kg and nothing more....
 
If you sit your E test then you will be legal to tow anything as long as the combined 'train weight' doesn't exceed 3500Kg, thats with you, luggage, trailer and vehicle on the trailer....

Both statements are wrong.

[Jordie]

 

Towing vehicle

Unladen weight =

MAM/ GVW =

Towing capacity =

 

Trailer

Unladen =

MAM / GVW =

Load =

 

 

Lets use an example

 

Towing vehicle

Unladen weight = 1500kg

MAM/ GVW = 2000kg

Towing capacity = 1800kg

 

Trailer

Unladen = 700kg

MAM / GVW = 1500kg

Load = 800kg

 

Would be legal. The MAM of the towing vehicle is 2000kg and the MAM of trailer 1500kg (total 3500kg). The MAM of the trailer does not exceed the towing capacity of the towing vehicle. It also does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

 

Providing you dont overload the vehicle or trailer ofcourse, which is an offence in any case no matter what license you hold.

[Broomer]

Basically towing with the van or land rover etc means you are almost at the maximum mass before you hitch the trailer on. Without the towing test.