TOWING & THE LAW...        
   
bullet Driver Licencing & Restrictions

Most people who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 posses a licence that allows them to drive vehicle and trailer combinations grossing at up to 8.25 tonnes. If they passed it after that date, however, then they are restricted to driving nothing heavier than a 3.5-tonner pulling a trailer that tips scales at no more than 750kg.
They're permitted to haul a heavier trailer just as long as the maximum combined gross weight of the trailer and the vehicle towing it does not exceed 3.5 tonnes, and the gross weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. Tow anything that does not come within these rules, and you have to pass a separate test.
If you're successful, then you get what is know as a B + E entitlement. This means that you can haul a trailer grossing at up to 3.5 tonnes just as long as you don't exceed the towing vehicles towing limit.
While it's not unreasonable to suspect that many drivers - and employers - ignore these requirements, they do so at their peril.
Aside from the fact that they are breaking the law, they're also invalidating their insurance. That means the consequences if there is an accident could be catastrophic.
While they're wondering which of their employees has the right licence entitlements, prospective trailer dealers will also have to get to grips with the Drivers Hours and heavy truck Operator Licence regulations if they haven't already done so. That's because the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer may mean that the operator is subject to both sets of rules, and his dealer will need to be able to tell him how he is likely to be affected.
As far as Drivers Hours are concerned, if the permitted gross train weight - in other words, the maximum operating weight of the towing vehicle and trailer combined - exceeds 3.5 tonnes, then in the bulk of cases the customer will have to obey them. A tachograph will have to be installed in the cab.
Turning to O licences, if both the towing vehicle and trailer have ministry/manufacturer's plates and the trailers unladen weight is over 1,020kg, then you'll need one if the vehicle and trailer gross weights adds up to more than 3.5 tonnes, advises the Freight Transport Association.
If the trailer's unladen weight is less than 1,020kg, but the towing vehicle grosses at above 3.5 tonnes, then you'll need one too, the FTA warns.
If either the vehicle or the trailer do not have ministry/manufacturer's plates and their total unladen weight is over 1,525kg, then an O licence is mandatory. Again, a trailer with an unladen weight is of less than 1,020kg is not counted.
As with the Drivers Hours regulation, there are some statutory exemptions to O licence.
Vehicles operated by the emergency services for example are not subject to it's provisions.
(Information taken from - Commercial Vehicle Dealer Magazine October 2006 - Issue 56)

 
bullet Nose Weights
The nose weight can be defined as the downforce which a trailer exerts on the towball. While the loaded trailer should be a little nose heavy, and point down slightly at the front, it is essential from a safety aspect that this is not too great.

WHERE TO START - The nose weight referred to in the vehicle handbook should be followed, but as a general guideline the recommended nose weight is around 7% of the laden weight of the trailer. Too light or too heavy a nose weight will result in poor towing stability and, in the case of a heavy nose weight, may mean that headlights project a potentially dangerous, high beam of light, dazzling other drivers. Checking tyre pressures on a regular basis is very important. Underinflated tyres are unstable at the best of times, but can cause untold problems when towing.

HOW TO CHECK - The easiest way of establishing nose weight is to place a set of bathroom scales directly under the caravan/trailer coupling (first, place a piece of wood or suitable packer between scales and coupling for protection), gradually wind up the jockey wheel until it is just clear of the ground. The alternative is to purchase a proprietary nose weight indicator - a wise investment for the regular towing enthusiast. Overloading the towing vehicle may also result in damaged suspension. Remember, you should aim for perfect harmony between both vehicles.

 
bullet Tow Legally

Drivers who are towing for the first time are well advised to practice coupling and uncoupling a trailer before they start. There are, of course, many more aspects to be aware of and failure to adhere to the following information may result in prosecution or lead to an accident.

DRIVER LICENCE - From 1 January 1997, new drivers may drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) with a 750kgs GVW trailer. Towing under a provisional licence is NOT acceptable. If in doubt, contact the DVLA Swansea. Tel: 01792 772151.

INSURANCE - Most vehicle insurance policies will cover Third Party liabilities when towing, but it is your responsibility to check your own policy carefully and if you are in any doubt about towing, consult your insurance company at once. Most trailer/caravan hire companies hold the hirer personally liable for the value of the trailer hired.

SPEED LIMITS - The maximum speed that a car with a trailer etc. can be driven 60mph on UK motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph other types of roads (providing no lower speed limit is in force), and that the gross weight of the trailer and vehicle is less than 7.5 tonnes. Maximum speeds vary across Europe. NOTE: vehicles are not allowed to use the right-hand (overtaking) lane of a three lane carriageway whilst towing.

TOWING LIMITS - The maximum gross (fully laden) weight of an unbraked trailer is 750kg, or half the kerb weight of the vehicle - whichever is less. The gross weight of a braked trailer should generally not exceed 85% of the tow car's kerb weight. Refer to your tow car manufacturer's manual for the kerb weight.

SIZE OF TRAILER - Assuming that an ordinary car (not a goods vehicle) is the tow vehicle, then the overall length of the trailer, caravan etc. must not exceed 7m, excluding A-frame and hitch (regs 7 & 8 of Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations - 1986). The maximum width of the trailer should not exceed 2.3 m.

It makes sense to check certain features before you set out: set tyre pressures on trailer and tow car, secure all items inside the trailer, close all windows, roof vents and doors, make sure caravan corner steadies are raised, test all lights and adjust mirrors as necessary.

TYRES & NUMBER PLATES -
Wheels and tyres must be capable of carrying the maximum laden weight of the caravan at the maximum speed limit (this varies throughout Europe). CHECK TYRE PRESSURES REGULARLY. ALL trailers, caravans etc. must be fitted with an approved style number plate.

LIGHTS & REFLECTORS - All trailers on the road during darkness must have the following:
 
bullet Two red side lights at the rear
bullet Brake lights
bullet Direction indicators
bullet Number plate light
bullet At least 1 rear fog light (if the trailer is more than 1.3m wide)
bullet Two red triangular reflectors

All lights must be in proper working order, and correctly fitted to the towing vehicles electrics.

SUSPENSION
- It is vital that the towing vehicle's rear suspension is not deflected excessively by nose weight on the towball. If it is excessive, steering, stability and headlight alignment will be affected.

MOT CERTIFICATE - This is not currently required for trailers and caravans. However, good practice dictates that regular servicing and maintenance should be carried out as an unroadworthy trailer may invalidate your insurance. A caravan is a road vehicle and therefore requires regular servicing. The braking system, wheels, tyres and lights in particular, all need scrupulous attention.

PASSENGERS - It is STRICTLY ILLEGAL to allow passengers to travel inside the trailer, caravan etc. While it is permitted to carry animals in a caravan, this is not recommended.

 
bullet Typical Problems

The following tips are just a few widely accepted guidelines to promote safe towing - particularly before you are on the road or when reversing. For the novice, reversing the combination can be daunting but a few easy to follow rules should help this considerably. The law currently states that both towing vehicles and caravans/trailers and the loads they carry must be in such a condition that no danger or nuisance is caused.

LOADING UP - Keep all the heaviest items over the axle. The remainder should be distributed to give a suitable nose weight at the coupling. Correct loading is crucial to stability. Ideally the maximum laden weight of the caravan/trailer should not exceed 85% of the kerbside weight of the towcar.

ON THE ROAD - The actual laden weight of the caravan/trailer should be kept as low as possible; the lower it is the safer the caravan/trailer combination will be. Think about the overall length of the towing combination, all too often, accidents occur because the driver has forgotten to take into account the increased length of both vehicles. The addition of an extension mirror will assist in improving vision and, depending on the width of the vehicle being towed, may be a legal requirement.

REVERSING - As a rule of thumb, to reverse in a straight line, once the caravan or trailer is visible in either mirror, gradually turn the steering wheel towards that mirror to re-align the towed vehicle. If reversing round a corner or into an opening, your initial movement of the steering wheel should be in the opposite direction to where you want the caravan or trailer to turn into. Once moving gradually reverse this action as necessary. Practise makes perfect - don't be put off by early failed attempts at reversing.

 
bullet How to Avoid Snaking

Snaking occurs for varying reasons - from buffeting winds to aggressive driving - but it can be reduced by fitting a quality stabiliser. However, a stabiliser should never be used to counteract a poor towing combination or bad driving.

POINTS TO REMEMBER - The following points will drastically reduce the chance of snaking:
 
bullet Keep within the nose weight and laden weight limits of your combination
bullet Check tyre pressures regularly
bullet Reduce speed on downhill roads
bullet Keep an eye on overtaking vehicles slipstream effects from lorries and coaches can cause snaking. Keep well to the left of your carriageway

If you feel you are snaking, your instinctive reaction may be to brake hard or accelerate out. This is not advisable and is extremely dangerous. The proper course of action on sensing the snake is to brake gently and gradually until full control is regained.

STABILISER SYSTEMS - Brink provide a traditional, friction pad stabiliser compatible with the UK style towbar which utilises a standard, bolt-on ball. When used in conjunction with an adaptor bracket - also available from Brink - the stabiliser is compatible with most swan neck towbars. The SSK 2 model, also available from Brink, acts directly on the point of pivot, working equally on each side of the towball, and so does not affect balance and stability. Easy to use, it engages in one simple movement. Equally as effective on small trailers as on large caravans, the SSK-2 works on loads from 180kg up to a maximum gross weight of 2000kg.
 

Important - the information on these pages may be date sensitive and require validation as to it's accuracy.

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