DRIVER LICENSING AND 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)
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.
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 and 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 and Reflectors
- All trailers on the road during darkness must have the
following:
- Two red side lights at the
rear
- Brake lights
- Direction indicators
- Number plate light
- At least 1 rear fog light
(if the trailer is more than 1.3m wide)
- 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.
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.
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:
- Keep within the nose weight
and laden weight limits of your combination
- Check tyre pressures
regularly
- Reduce speed on downhill
roads
- 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.
NOTE - The
information on these pages may be date sensitive and should be
taken as a guideline only. Please verify any information with
the relevant governing bodies to confirm its accuracy. |
