13 replies to this topic

[Minimattvan]

Hi, I read that I can only tow upto 750 kg, then whilst on the dvla site, I read that actually I can tow a combined train weight of 3500 kg ( without going for a trailer test )
But I know that there is much confusion and debate regarding trailers.
If I was to have a vauxhall vivaro van, with a lightweight trailer, ( lets say 500 kg ) with a classic car on, ( lets say a Morris minor ) then in theory I should be under the 3500 kg train weight, right?
Am I on the right track here, any advice and guidance from those who know is appreciated,
Thanks

[Carlos W]

You also need to check the V5 for the towing vehicle.

My daily (Mazda 6 diesel) has the towing limits on the V5. They don't add up to 3.5 tonnes

[28hodge]

You need to know the gross weight of each I would imagine the allowable gross weights combined would put you over 3.5t. The fact the actual weight of them in use may be under 3.5t is irellevant.

I have a fiat scudo and it's gross weight means that it's impossible to use as a tow vehicle with a trailer and mini.

I've looked at this recently best car is a skoda Octavia estate or similar, gross weight is 1960 leaving 1640kg plate gross weight for a trailer most single axle car trailers are plated at 1600kg so that works.

[mini_man96]

I've been doing some research on this and found this page: https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
It seems that 2013 was changeover year so if you passed your test before 2013 you can tow a trailer with a 750kg MAM (maximum authorised mass). However after 2013 they seem to have removed the part about MAM so proving the trailer and car physically weigh less than 750kg you're all good, right?
Unfortunately however they still seem to have the MAM part for the 3500kg combined weight so does that mean that if the tow vehicle has a higher authorised "train weight" you cannot tow anything with it?
Our land cruiser for example had a maximum train weight of about 4500kg so does that mean that I cannot tow anything with it?
It's all very confusing!

[Minimattvan]

Yeh, seems to be all about the train weight and the weight of the actual vehicle doesn't seem to come into it.
At first I thought that if I have a :

van weighing 1500 kg + trailer weighing 500 kg + car on trailer weighing 1000 kg = 3000 kg : so I'm under weight by around 500 kg, which leaves enough for a driver, fuel, and junk in back of van etc

But it actually seems to be the gross weights of the vehicles in question, so in fact although my van weight is only 1500 kg, if it is capable of legally weighing in at 3000 kg fully loaded, then that only gives me 500 kg, so then if my trailer only weighs 500 kg, but is legally capable of having a fully loaded gross weight of 2000 kg then I'm already right over the limit.

They realy do make this more confusing than it is, and there seems to be lots of grey areas here

[CityEPete]

Afaik it comes down to the 'plated weight' on the trailer, I'm glad I passed in 1994, makes it much easier!

[nicklouse]

further reading that may be clarifies things

 

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car

 

 

1. What you can tow

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.

View your driving licence information to see if you’re allowed to tow.

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.

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. View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

 

 

[mini_man96]

It seems the only way you can be 100% confident that your not breaking the law is to pass the B+E towing test, which is annoying! Also does anyone know how the MAM part works if the trailer does not have an identification plate to tell you how much it can hold? I only ask because we have a custom flat bed that was built many years ago and does not have any kind identification plate.

[nicklouse]

I have heard that they would then look at the load rating of the tyres and go by that.

 

but I would not take as faqct.

[Steve220]

From all that, I read if the car weighs up to 3.5 tons fully laden then you can tow a trailer+cargo up to 750kg. Which is what i've been doing for years.

[mini_man96]

I have heard that they would then look at the load rating of the tyres and go by that.
 
but I would not take as faqct.

Thanks nicklouse, that must be how they do it. I can't think of any other way!

[jaysmini1983]

Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997

You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

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

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.

The plate or sticker may also show a gross train weight (GTW), also sometimes called gross combination weight (GCW). This is the total weight of the tractor unit plus trailer plus load.

Then if you do the trailer test which isnt hard just costs alot if you need lessons

Category BE

You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer.

The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:

• before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer
• on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg

[DomCr250]

It seems the only way you can be 100% confident that your not breaking the law is to pass the B+E towing test, which is annoying! Also does anyone know how the MAM part works if the trailer does not have an identification plate to tell you how much it can hold? I only ask because we have a custom flat bed that was built many years ago and does not have any kind identification plate.

It might be worth thinking about making up a plate, all you need is chassis number of the trailer (if it has one), date of production, unloaded and fully loaded weight. 

 

If you ever did get stopped having one might make things easier.  Otherwise it would be a trip to a weighbridge and loads of other questions to answer.

 

I've never met anybody who has actually been stopped, lots of rumours but thats about it.  

[CityEPete]

I think having good tyres, a proper light bar and a proper lit number plate on a properly loaded trailer and you'd never have an issue, the coppers would probably be just as confused as everyone else!