Legality of towing an agricultural trailer with a pickup truck...

[LichenFarmer]

... I'm presuming it's not at all legal, but I can't seem to find any guidance on this!

My friend (no, really) has bought a 16 foot unbraked bale trailer, which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin. He's intending to tow it home with a 4x4. I said 'ummmm...'

Can anyone point me to the definitive legal position please?

Cheers
Joe

 

[Sharpy]

... I'm presuming it's not at all legal, but I can't seem to find any guidance on this!

My friend (no, really) has bought a 16 foot unbraked bale trailer, which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin. He's intending to tow it home with a 4x4. I said 'ummmm...'

Can anyone point me to the definitive legal position please?

Cheers
Joe

If its over 750kg it needs brakes to be pulled by a pickup.

 

[davidroberts30]

Plus its probably borderline overweight for the 4x4 capacity

 

[Al R]

Get a ladder Clevis hitch on the 4x4. How far is the journey?

 

[Dave W]

It's not legal. End of.
no brakes. Wrong hitch. Wrong tyres. Too heavy. The list is endless.
is it safe on a short journey... er probably.

 

[JP1]

It's not legal. End of.
no brakes. Wrong hitch. Wrong tyres. Too heavy. The list is endless.
is it safe on a short journey... er probably.

^^^ this

Won't meet Construction and Use Regulations for fast tow, nor have Type Approval for fast tow - brakes , tyre ratings, suspension

 

[agrimax]

If its over 750kg it needs brakes to be pulled by a pickup.

If it's over 750kgs,it needs brakes to be pulled by anything legally on the road...

 

[LichenFarmer]

The journey isn't short enough for my liking... Not sure, but I reckon prob 2 hours on A-roads.

I don't know, but I reckon if a copper saw him, he'd likely get pulled.

He's a bit gung ho though. I'd like to be able to point him to something reasonably official that says it's not legal.

 

[Phil P]

Just hire a triaxel iforwillams flatbed and stick the new trailer on that, job sorted

 

[RhysT]

Did similar a few years ago. Don't believe it was legal though. Probably 1.5hrs on A roads and 20 mins on duel Carriageway. We did it in the evening. Couldn't go more that 40mph though as it didn't feel comfortable.

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

As has been said already just hire a flatbed trailer , at £50/day it’s money well spent on avoiding a fine but more importantly the safety of other road users .

 

[7610 super q]

I hate to be a butt weasel of doom, but isn't putting the ag trailer on the hired trailer just adding to the towing weight ? Or am I reading it wrong ?

 

[Bruce Almighty]

I'll lookout for him on "Cowboys don't care"

 

[farmerm]

Get a ladder Clevis hitch on the 4x4. How far is the journey?

"which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin" suggests the intention is to add even more weight to the trailer and then move it about regularly....

 

[LichenFarmer]

Like I say, I'm in no doubt that its not legal or sensible. I do not need convincing on this.

I agree, flatbed trailer is way to go.

What I'm asking for is a reference to the definitive legal position, so I can argue this robustly!

Ta, Joe

 

[PSQ]

"which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin" suggests the intention is to add even more weight to the trailer and then move it about regularly....

One day someone will invent just such a mobile cabin to tow behind a car. There must be thousands of people with an unfulfilled desire to park them on the A1 on a bank holiday weekend

 

[LichenFarmer]

"which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin" suggests the intention is to add even more weight to the trailer and then move it about regularly....

Nah, I think it's like a static caravan - it allows you to have a cabin without planning permission. If you have to move it, you can do it with a tractor.

 

[LichenFarmer]

I hate to be a butt weasel of doom, but isn't putting the ag trailer on the hired trailer just adding to the towing weight ? Or am I reading it wrong ?

Ii is, but the hired trailer would be braked, and suitable for towing behind a pick-up (if the weights add up right) -- I guess...

 

[Andrew]

... I'm presuming it's not at all legal, but I can't seem to find any guidance on this!

My friend (no, really) has bought a 16 foot unbraked bale trailer, which he has bought to turn into a mobile cabin. He's intending to tow it home with a 4x4. I said 'ummmm...'

Can anyone point me to the definitive legal position please?

Cheers
Joe

Assuming you’re in the UK?

Any trailer over 750kg needs brakes to travel on the road, as @agrimax says.
It won’t even be legal behind a tractor.

Hire a flat trailer, but depending on the 4x4 and the weight of the trailers you may still not be legal.

 

[Highland Mule]

How about just getting an agri contractor to tow it home with a fast tractor? Probably just as quick as using a pickup and struggling with hills etc.