DIY trailer..... and the law?

[Siert]

I think you want to make it such that it can't carry more than 750kg... I know how it works in NL pretty well, but I think most of it is EU wide now...

If it can't carry more than 750kg then you will never have driving license problems as you can always take those on drivers license B only. Also under 750kg the trailer never needs its own licence plate/insurrance/MOT or whatsoever.

I build a trailer for my boat which weighs 250kg everything included but used a caravan with an axle that is fit for 900kg or so... Although I'm only every going to load my own boat on that trailer I grinded the 900kg label off the axle as I don't want some clever cop to tell me that my trailer is to strong for me to take along. If somebody does I'm quite sure I can argue that my own home made construction was never meant for that, but still, you might want to safe yourself a lot of trouble and use light components.

I guess few axles of light cars are actually fit to carry more then 750kg so using old car parts you should probably be ok.

[lufbramatt]

[guz]

we've knocked out a few made from a polo
back end, plated over with a 'rocco bonnet,
handy for towing behind a camper van, i fancy
doing a bigger one from a volvo estate next.

i've picked up catering trailers and scrap
trailer tents in the past for less that £20.

[sowen]

Oct 24, 2008 22:01:19 GMT Colonelk said:

as for starters Id need to sit a trailer test! (passed post 98's or whatever the cut off was)

You don't need to take another test as long as the total combination has a capacity of no more than 3500kg, this means that I can, on my post 98 licence, use my 1500kg land rover, towing another 1500kg land rover on a 500kg trailer, giving me a combined weight of 3500kg (rough guesstimate there).

[somegeezer]

Disagree with the statement above, the government website says "Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997
If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits."

Russell

[Adam]

Oct 25, 2008 20:34:25 GMT sowen said:

Oct 24, 2008 22:01:19 GMT Colonelk said:

as for starters Id need to sit a trailer test! (passed post 98's or whatever the cut off was)

You don't need to take another test as long as the total combination has a capacity of no more than 3500kg, this means that I can, on my post 98 licence, use my 1500kg land rover, towing another 1500kg land rover on a 500kg trailer, giving me a combined weight of 3500kg (rough guesstimate there).

Nope, because then the weight of the trailer is greater than that of the car. You could tow a 1000kg car on a 500kg trailer behind your landy.

[Lankytim]

I don't buy the above statement although ive seen it in print on official websites. My Volvo weighs 1500kg but is plated to tow 1800KG, Discos are plated to tow 3500KG trailers. Its confusing ground!

[sowen]

I have to say that Adam and Somegeezer are right there , it is very confusing, but for most people, the maximum towing capacity of their car is less than its maximum recommended towing capacity. It won't stop me anyway, I've towed and seen being towed far more dodgy outfits before and never had any issues with police etc.

As for colonelk, the licence issue shouldn't be a problem, as the intended trailer will be below 750kg.