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TOWING & THE
LAW... |
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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)
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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.
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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:
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Two red side lights at the rear |
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Brake lights |
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Direction indicators |
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Number plate light |
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At least 1 rear fog
light (if the trailer is more than 1.3m wide) |
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Keep within the nose
weight and laden weight limits of your combination |
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Check tyre pressures
regularly |
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Reduce speed on
downhill roads |
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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.
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