Car trailer legalities

[jack_c]

In short,

What is the legality behind making your own car trailer?
Unfortunately the reason for wanting to make my own is because its for a specialised job that can't be bought from one of the main manufacturers.

I see a document available on the .gov website with rules and regulations. If I follow this is it just a mater of getting it tested? Is there anything stating that you can't have a removable drawbar? I know cars have removable tow hitches but I imagine they have a positive lock type system so can't be put on wrong?

Tia

 

[Pilgrimmick]

I have a removable drawbar on a factory made trailer. So cannot see a problem.

 

[jack_c]

I have a removable drawbar on a factory made trailer. So cannot see a problem.

What way was it done on your factory made trailer out of interest please?

Thanks

 

[bobk]

Speak with Martin at http://wychavontrailers.co.uk/bo7202a.html he'll make whatever you want

 

[jack_c]

Speak with Martin at http://wychavontrailers.co.uk/bo7202a.html he'll make whatever you want

I'm Northern Ireland and its to mount a frame on that will not be possible to transport without the trailer. If it works out to be a no no for making my own I'll speak to Nugent or Porter over here. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[multi power]

I'm Northern Ireland and its to mount a frame on that will not be possible to transport without the trailer. If it works out to be a no no for making my own I'll speak to Nugent or Porter over here. Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't think you are allowed to any more, but put the date of manufacture about 10 years ago

 

[Blackleg]

I made a boat trailer a few years ago and went through the process of getting it registered and tested by Vosa, it was straightforward enough.

From memory:
It was hard to achieve compliance on the lighting position but probably because it was a boat trailer.
Make sure the light lenses have the "E" mark, don't buy Chinese ones without it.
Make sure there's plenty of threads sticking out of nuts, I was picked up on a couple but had boxes of bits in the van when I took it for the test so swapped for some longer bolts.

Drawbars funnily enough are one of the components that they would prefer you bought type approved from a supplier rather than make your own - and then you bolt them on, so removing them would be straightforward enough.
https://www.knott-trailer-shop.com/index.php/cPath/35_23/category/drawbar_tube_height_adjustable.htm

Also be VERY careful when filling the form in and declaring the length, can't remember exactly but I made a cock up by including the drawbar and it nearly meant booking another test, the Vosa bloke was very reasonable though and helped me through it.

Guidance here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/individual-vehicle-approval-iva-it

 

[TripleSix]

I think any trailer now built after 2007 must undergo type approval.

This prevents you from building your own

 

[Andrew]

This prevents you from building your own

No, it just makes it harder.

 

[Blackleg]

Coupling height was the other one that was difficult to achieve, screenshot of their inspection standards:

 

[jack_c]

Thanks for all the replies. I will give the government issued document a good read and see what happens. I will post back about how I get on.

 

[wdah/him]

buy your stuff out of ijautospares, fintona, same as many trailer manufactures do, what is the special design, can u copy the basics of another trailer for lights placing, wheel placement etc.

looked into it once for some trailers we had made and were overhauling, in the end we just upgraded all to 3500kg running gear and across all three trailer for handiness.

if I need another trailer I would make in without a thought and get it past in the mot centre, all Hamilton cattle trailers are done this way, as im near certain is porter.

if your are not sure about doing it I know porter did a one off sheep scanning trailer for my scanning man, it will cost more than a standard.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

An old galveniced caravan chassis will give you lots to go by if you want a braked axle and the drawbar setup etc.

 

[TripleSix]

No, it just makes it harder.

True, I worded that badly.

Place down the road making the odd new trailer started with a pair of used axles and wheels and called it a "refurbished" trailer

 

[startinghandle]

I am thinking of making a purpose built trailer to permanently mount my amanco open crank engine driving over head shafting taking drive to roller mill and pulper and I will put curtain sides around it for transport