multi power
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
I assume you are referring to steel ramps, I wisely opted for the much more expensive alloy ramps
Legal towing weight for Jeep and 3 Axel Trailer
- Thread starter Trench Box
- Start date
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
I completely fail to see its relevance to what I said. Which is..
"The trailer plated weight need not be changed to any lower limit. That is a total misconception. As long as the total trailer weight is below the lower limit allowed by license or towing vehicle, it complies with the relevant laws regardless of it being plated to 3500kgs gross."
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Because, as Johnboy stated, a B licence driver cannot legally pull a trailer that is plated to 3500kg, so must replate the trailer to a lower value such that the combined MAM of trailer and towing vehicle adds up to less than 3500kg. It's not just the weight that matters for B holders, but the plated weight too.
I'm not sure how much clearer I can make it. He was right, and you were wrong to try and correct him.
Last edited:
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
They have a completely different load capacity. The steel are rated for 1500kgs each, 3 tons total. The standard alloy ramps are rated for half that at 1500kgs total. There are aftermarket ones rated much higher.
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
Is it not the case that B+E license holders can tow up to 3.5 tons, plates allowing?
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Sorry - typo. Have corrected.
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
This is the relevant legislation for B vehicle only license holders...
Category B are vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM and with up to eight passenger seats
A category B vehicle may be coupled with a trailer over 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 3,500kgs MAM. Or it could be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 4,250kgs MAM. END
Nowhere does it say that the trailer needs to be plated down to the allowed driver towing limit. Only that the trailer should not exceed that limit, which is either 750kgs up to 3500kgsMAM or a total maximum allowable mass for the combination of 4250kgs. Not entirely sure what the distinction is between the 3500 and 4250MAM
Category B are vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM and with up to eight passenger seats
A category B vehicle may be coupled with a trailer over 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 3,500kgs MAM. Or it could be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM, provided the combination does not exceed 4,250kgs MAM. END
Nowhere does it say that the trailer needs to be plated down to the allowed driver towing limit. Only that the trailer should not exceed that limit, which is either 750kgs up to 3500kgsMAM or a total maximum allowable mass for the combination of 4250kgs. Not entirely sure what the distinction is between the 3500 and 4250MAM
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
See my highlighting, and particularly the letters MAM that come after the 3,500kgs - it's not just the actual weight that matters in this specific set of circumstances but the plated weights also.
If a B driver buys a 3,500kg MAM trailer to tow behind their 2,000kg MAM car, they will have to get the trailer replated such that the combined MAM is less than or equal to 3,500kg MAM. Which is exactly what was stated a few pages ago.
Dave W
Member
- Location
- chesterfield
Think that's been proven to be incorrect. The trailer can be played at anything. It's the towing vehicle that is the overall governing factor
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Not that I've read anywhere - as per above and various parts of the government website, for a B licence holder it is the MAM (plated weight) of the combination that matters.
Driving licence categories
Driving licence categories - entitlements on your licence and what vehicles you can drive - cars, motorcycles, mopeds, medium and large lorries, minibuses and buses.
Vehicle weights explained
Explanations of the different terms you might see on your driving licence
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
The MAM is in this case the maximum gross train weight. This over rides the trailer plated weight which obviously cannot legally be met regardless. It has been tested in court that the maximum trailer plated weight is irrelevant when the actual weight is within limits. The lowest of any limits apply regardless of either vehicle, trailer or license being higher.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
You absolutely sure on that, because it doesn't accord with the regulations. I'm sure that the particular case law would be useful to someone, so maybe stick a reference to it up here?
The Driving Licence regulations state that MAM is the same as the MGW, and then cite the Construction and Use regulations, and they state:
| maximum gross weight | (a) in the case of a vehicle equipped with a Ministry plate in accordance with regulation 70, the design gross weight shown in column (3) of that plate or, if no such weight is shown, the gross weight shown in column (2) of that plate; (b) in the case of a vehicle not equipped with a Ministry plate, but which is equipped with a plate in accordance with regulation 66, the maximum gross weight shown on the plate in respect of item 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 8 in the case of a motor vehicle and item 6 of Part II of Schedule 8 in the case of a trailer; (c) in any other case, the weight which the vehicle is designed or adapted not to exceed when the vehicle is travelling on a road. |
- Location
- 200 miles N,NW of New York
I have to agree with this, I know a guy that got done, all because vosa men did not know how to interpret the law, it was thrown out before it got to court,
The towing vehicle and trailer plates only state the maximum authorised mass,
But a van of say 1400kg with a laden max gross of say 2.400kg and a maximum gross train weight of say 3.500kg,
so it can within law pull a 3.500kg trailer, that has an unladen weight of 800kg, with a load of 1000kg so trailer maximum gross weight is 1.800kg,
And the van towing it, is not totally empty and has some tools in it so say the van weights 1.625kg,
So the train weight together is 3.425kg, this is legal in the UK today
as long as it don't go over 3,500 train weight in total
It is the case now, they go on both the axle weights and gross train weight of towing vehicle ,
And I cannot think of the exact figures, but its something like a maximum static downward load of 75 kg on a ball hitch.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Quite legal with a B+E licence, but not with a post 1997 B licence. To be clear, those of us that are old have only to comply with the actual vehicle weights, but those that are younger have to additionally make sure the plated weights are below the thresholds.
- Location
- 200 miles N,NW of New York
Also a trailer does not have to be plated if it was manufactured before a certain date, in this case they go on the load ratings of the tyres + the static download on hitch,
But I cannot remember what the date is
But I cannot remember what the date is
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
That is incorrect. There is no distinction. The lowest limit of any that are relevant applies, otherwise you would need to replate the vehicle to suit the occasional driver as well as the trailer. Any and all trailers are likely to be towed by many drivers.
- Location
- South Devon
Copied from IWT website.
My vehicle has a maximum towing weight of 1500kg and my trailer has a maximum gross weight of 2000kg. Can I still tow this trailer?
Yes, as long as the unladen weight of the trailer you are towing combined with the trailer load does not exceed 1500kg, then you can tow this trailer with your vehicle.
There is no legal requirement to downrate the plate on your trailer.
Drivers must also possess the appropriate driving licence with B+E category for towing this particular trailer combination as well as adhering to tachograph rules, if applicable.
My vehicle has a maximum towing weight of 1500kg and my trailer has a maximum gross weight of 2000kg. Can I still tow this trailer?
Yes, as long as the unladen weight of the trailer you are towing combined with the trailer load does not exceed 1500kg, then you can tow this trailer with your vehicle.
There is no legal requirement to downrate the plate on your trailer.
Drivers must also possess the appropriate driving licence with B+E category for towing this particular trailer combination as well as adhering to tachograph rules, if applicable.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Sigh.
Read the legislation. It's all in black and white there.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999
These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996 and regulations amending those Regulations (all of which are now revoked). The amendments made are as follows:—
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Not this sh!t again two different laws two different interpretation