Trailer weights

MX5huggy

I posted on another thread about this but as I didn't have all the weights it got a bit theoretical. Who can drive this car trailer combination, how much weight can be added to the car and trailer?

So the car a BMW X1 has these numbers.



Then the trailer this plate with 1500 in the top two boxes but nothing in the bottom two, then the sticker as well.

Herzlos

What license have you got?

The trailer can add 2020kg to the gross weight for the cars restrictions (B+E, pre-97), but you'd need to plate it down to 1340kg to use it with a post-1997 license. (#2 -#1).

Trailer is rated for 1500kg going by the first plate, but 3500kg based on the 2nd, and weighs (I assume 350kg). So legally you can add 1150kg to it if you're pre-97 or have B+E. (3500kg -#1)

How big is the trailer? Is it a double-axle car trailer that someone has already down-plated? (i.e. they've changed the plate for a lower capacity to make it legal).
Do you have a model number for it?

The 2nd picture implies it's got a single axle rated at 1500kg (#1 is total weight, #2 is 1st axle weight). But that doesn't fit with the Brian James sticker which says max 3500kg which is way more than you can rate a single axle on (they top out around 1600kg, which is 800kg/tyre, or around double what a car tyre is subjected to)

Legally, the police/DVLA will take the lowest printed value as being the legal weight, which is 1500kg. It's still too heavy for the car unless you have a full towing entitlement.

skivenov

Based on the bottom trailer plate as I cant see the top one.

Going by the full letter of the law, as could in theory be applied by a VOSA officer with a shiny clipboard, PMT, and dreams of a shinier badge - no one, as the BMW cant tow a 3500kg trailer, even if its empty.

In practice, B+E holder, or car licence with grandad entitlement. But dont exceed the tow vehicles plated limits.

RS2000.

From the plate its a single axle trailer capable of a gross weight of 1500kg.

marlot

OK.

First the car. Plated for the car alone to weigh a maximum of 2160Kg (subject to the two axle weight maximums). Maximum gross train weight (car and trailer) of 4240kg.

If the car is loaded to the max, it can therefore tow a trailer up to 4240-2160 = 2080kg.

Second, the trailer. It appears to have a maximum loaded weight of 1500kg. Ignore the plate on the tow hitch - that's to do with the hitch itself.

Finally, your licence. If you have a B+E you can load the trailer up to 1500Kg (including the trailer itself). If you don't have B+E you cannot tow this trailer (even if it is empty).

If you don't have B+E you might be able to get the trailer downplated.

marlot

Herzlos wrote: »

......I assume 350kg...

Did you get that from the Brian James plate? The S value is the "Maximum Static Vertical Load" or Maximum Nose weight.

Simply put, it is the maximum permissable vertical load applied to the top of the towball.

Note that the towbar on the car will also have a maximum value. Probably around 75kg. This will be in the car handbook.

OP - you are not permitted to go over the towbar noseweight limit.

marlot

This may help: http://www.iwt.co.uk/1769.file.dld

Your car MAM for this is 2160, your trailer MAM is 1500

Herzlos

marlot wrote: »

Did you get that from the Brian James plate? The S value is the "Maximum Static Vertical Load" or Maximum Nose weight.

I did, and it's also the weight of my Ifor empty so seemed like a reasonable assumption.

marlot

Final thought. If you're towing this combination for hire or reward, you may need a tachograph (it being over 3.5 tonnes GTW).

Rover_Driver

marlot wrote: »

This may help: http://www.iwt.co.uk/1769.file.dld

A bit out of date, 'is the trailer MAM more than the unladen weight of the vehicle' is no longer relevant - deleted by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences)(Amendment) Regulations 2012.