Trailer Weight Plating

ZootHornRollo

Hi,

Could anyone explain to me what each entry means on this trailer plate? It does not appear to be very descriptive.



Thanks in advance.

edit : Can't seem to insert image properly

It states :
2600kg
0- 100kg
1- 1300kg
2- 1300kg

Hope that is clear enough

ZootHornRollo

think I might have worked it out...

nose weight
axle 1
axle 2

Herzlos

That's most likely; it's pretty unlikely a 2600kg double-axle trailer weighs 100kg, but it's a fair nose weight.

Just remember those weights include the trailer itself, so you can't put 2600kg of stuff in it (just 2600 - weight of trailer), distributed evenly across axles and ensuring the nose weight is under 100kg.

Did you pass your car test before 1997? If not, you won't be able to use it.

Iceweasel

That's a whopping huge trailer you got there.

What vehicle do you intend towing it with?

forgotmyname

The gross noseweight maybe 100kg on the trailer but unless you have a 4x4 your unlikely to get a car with a 100kg noseweight limit.

ZootHornRollo

Thanks for the replys guys. Disco should tow it no probs!

However it will never need to carry anywhere near that kind of load, I was thinking of having it down plated so it can be towed with something smaller. Any idea how I go about that?

Rolandtheroadie

This link suggests amend the plate or put a sticker on it.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-weights-explained

Whereas page 18 of this link seems to suggest it's ok to just run it without bothering as long as it's not overloaded (although it does seem to be referring to goods vehicles, that might make a difference?)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-horsebox-and-trailer-owners

Herzlos

Rolandtheroadie wrote: »

Whereas page 18 of this link seems to suggest it's ok to just run it without bothering as long as it's not overloaded (although it does seem to be referring to goods vehicles, that might make a difference?)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-horsebox-and-trailer-owners

According to VOSA, if you've got a pre-97 license or a B+E, the weight is regarded as the actual weight rather than maximum, so you don't need to downplate it, you just need to not overload it.

You can buy new plates and attach them (usually rivetted), or the manufacturer may be able to do it (Ifor Williams will put new plates on for about £50). I've seen them on ebay for about £8 but then you'll need to stamp and rivet them yourself.

Most cars are about the 75-100kg nose weight, but you'll fine with a Disco.

Iceweasel

Herzlos wrote: »

According to VOSA, if you've got a pre-97 license or a B+E, the weight is regarded as the actual weight rather than maximum, so you don't need to downplate it, you just need to not overload it.

You can buy new plates and attach them (usually rivetted), or the manufacturer may be able to do it (Ifor Williams will put new plates on for about £50). I've seen them on ebay for about £8 but then you'll need to stamp and rivet them yourself.

Most cars are about the 75-100kg nose weight, but you'll fine with a Disco.

That works fine in the UK - but I've had hassle with that approach when on trips in Europe - Germany in particular.

I have a 2 tonne trailer which is never loaded anywhere near the 2 tonnes max gross it's plated for.

This is not a problem when towing with my usual tow vehicle - a Sprinter which is plated at 2.8 tonnes and max train of 4.8 tonnes.

However the car that I occasionally tow it with has a towing max limit of 1800kg.

I have now down-plated the trailer to 1800kg by simply pop-riviting a new plate the identical size to the original, so that it can be swapped back easily if needed.

They still don't like this as the UK is one of the few countries where trailer are not registered seperately and have their own unique numberplate and documents.

I believe that is in the pipeline of changes to meet EU rules - that and MOTs for trailers.

BigBopper

Iceweasel wrote: »

That works fine in the UK - but I've had hassle with that approach when on trips in Europe - Germany in particular.

I have a 2 tonne trailer which is never loaded anywhere near the 2 tonnes max gross it's plated for.

This is not a problem when towing with my usual tow vehicle - a Sprinter which is plated at 2.8 tonnes and max train of 4.8 tonnes.

However the car that I occasionally tow it with has a towing max limit of 1800kg.

I have now down-plated the trailer to 1800kg by simply pop-riviting a new plate the identical size to the original, so that it can be swapped back easily if needed.

They still don't like this as the UK is one of the few countries where trailer are not registered seperately and have their own unique numberplate and documents.

I believe that is in the pipeline of changes to meet EU rules - that and MOTs for trailers.

Then you come into needing a tachograph and operators licence.

marlot

BigBopper wrote: »

Then you come into needing a tachograph and operators licence.

Perhaps. Depends on use.