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towing limits

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lennytoyota
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Joined: 25 Aug 2004
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Location: Liverpool

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 21:23    Post subject: towing limits Reply with quote

I am looking at buying a large hobby caravan the Overall Length 28ft Overall Width 7ft 6" MGW 1900 kg Twin Axle.

I have a landcruiser 90 Colorado to tow it with max towing weight 2800kg.

I have held my licence for 25 years



Reading through another site I found the following……….page 602 of the "caravan club" own "Site directory and handbook 205/06" which quotes the following

" the code applies to all trailer caravans of max laden weight not exceeding 3,500kg , overall width not exceeding2.3m (7ft.6" ) and overall length not exceeding 7m (23ft) excluding the drawbar and coupling. This is leagally the maximum size of trailer that can be towed by a normal car"



I.E. = no matter how big your 4X4 is, its just not legal to tow a hobby on
UK roads by law! The only thing legally that can tow a hobby is something like our transit t350 van.

SILLY I KNOW BUT I NEVER MADE THESE EUROPEAN RULES!

OP Says
Seems to me that caravans over a certain length more than 23 ft cannot be towed with anything but a commercial vehicle, To be honest I am looking at selling the landcruiser and buying a Mercedes vito mini bus van “commercial vehicle” but the towing limit is much lower ,it seems a bit crazy the vito is larger but has a smaller towing limit.what vehicle do I need…..  do I need to take another test.

I am a bit lost now any help please


lenny
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busaboy
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 21:31    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thats right, most Hobby vans are over the legal size for a car to tow, I believe most of them are 8' wide too. I looked into them before i bought mine.
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lennytoyota
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 22:34    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mods you may want to add this as a sticky Wink


Towing - the laws you need to know
Specific trailer restrictions
If the towing vehicle weighs 3500kg or less (Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW)
· Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0m
· Width Maximum 2.3m
If the towing vehicle weighs more than 3500kg GVW
· Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12m (min 4 wheels)
· Width Maximum 2.55m
· Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18m
· Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05m
What's the maximum weight I can carry in my trailer?
Trailer has no brakes (Unbaked Trailer)
· Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less.
Trailer has brakes  (Braked Trailer)
· Maximum 3500kg gross trailer weight.

General trailer restrictions
Trailer height
· 3.0m high or 1.7 time the wheel track (horizontal distance between centre lines of the tyre treads). This isn't a legal requirement, but is an accepted guideline.
· If, however, the height does exceed 3.0m then a notice giving the height details must be displayed in the cab of the towing vehicle.
Other legal requirements:
· Since 1982 all trailers, including unbaked ones, must be clearly marked with their maximum gross weight in kilograms.
· Since January 1, 1997, all unbaked trailer plates must show the year of manufacture.
· Department of Transport Code of Practice states that is desirable for trailers less than 3,500kg gross vehicle to carry a manufacturer's plate clearly showing manufacturer's name and address, chassis or serial number, model number, number of axles, maximum weight per axle, nose weight or coupling, maximum gross weight and date of manufacturer.

Frequently asked questions:
Do I need a special driving licence to tow?
You must hold a full driving licence to drive vehicle and trailer combinations weighing up to 8.25 tonnes. However, if you passed your test after January 1, 1997 then these restrictions apply:
· Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and no more than eight passenger seats (i.e.: officially dubbed Category B vehicles and are typical cars) with a 750kg trailer (4.25 tonnes total Maximum Authorised Mass or MAM).
· Category B vehicles with larger trailers i.e. more than 750kg, provided that the combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
· Vehicles over 3500kg MAM are classified as large goods vehicles.
To be able to tow combinations outside this ruling requires the passing of an additional test.
What are the speed limits when towing?
It is 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 50mphs on other roads unless there are lower speed restrictions in operation. If the vehicle/trailer combination is over 7500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) then there is a further restriction of 50mph on dual carriageways. If in doubt consult the Government's Highway Code.
What is the difference between unbaked and braked trailers?
An unbaked trailer has no brakes fitted so the car towing it does all the braking. A braked trailer has brakes fitted that are often known as 'overrun brakes'. The trailer will apply its brakes through a mechanical linkage that is connected to the tow bar. When the car brakes, it puts a force through the tow bar, which then activates the linkage to apply the trailer's brakes.
What if my load hangs over the end of the trailer?
If it is between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar to warn following drivers. If it is between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board must be fitted and illuminated at night if the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey.
Do I need a 'Long Vehicle' marker plate?
It is only required for trailers over 3500kg or where the towing vehicle is over 7,00kg gross weight (lorries basically). When they are required, you need different plates depending on the length of the vehicle. You must make sure that loads must not project more than 305mm either side of the trailer, up to a maximum width of 2.9m. If they do then you must notify the police two days before a journey commences.
Lenny
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x_shaun
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 23:15    Post subject: Reply with quote

you would need a very big transit lol thats y most pikeys have them lol i use my 80 but it only has to go up the road 3miles twice a year so i take the risk
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uk_vette
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 23:16    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello every one,

The widthe restriction of 2,3 meters changed very recently.
It was signed an amendment because in Europe this was not a problem.
As we are part of Europe, the ministers that be in charge, agreed to change.
Quite legal now to tow a big Hobby with your Collie.

'vette
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uk_vette
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 23:18    Post subject: Reply with quote

20th of April 2010 it was changed.

'vette
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uk_vette
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 23:21    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here

Its happened. Its legal to tow a caravan up to 2.55m from 20 April.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100964_en_1




And here's the explanatory notes

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/em/uksiem_20100964_en.pdf

'vette
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x_shaun
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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 23:22    Post subject: Reply with quote

only up to 7 m long so if your after a large hobby its still ilegal
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cir287
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Joined: 17 Dec 2009
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 11:44    Post subject: Reply with quote

x_shaun wrote:
only up to 7 m long so if your after a large hobby its still ilegal



"max length 7m (23ft) excluding the drawbar and coupling". - I've no idea myself but how long is the drawbar on one of these ?
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uk_vette
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 12:43    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello guys,
I stand corrected,
It is 7 meters caravan body length.

if the caravan body is more than 7 meters, then it's still a 'no go'

'vette
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Paul_Humphreys
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 12:55    Post subject: Reply with quote

A lot of towing info here

Paul
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HD rear bumper with wheel carrier and winch mount.

http://www.crag-uk.org
http://www.4x4responsewales.org
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hgv dave
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Joined: 25 May 2008
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Location: manchester

PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 19:04    Post subject: Reply with quote

hi all
just a question.......as im a hgv driver,do these laws apply to me?
not that ive got a caravan that size mines a 16 footer and weighs 1058kg and i pull it with a 100 series amazon
just curious thats all

hgv dave
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RADIOTWO
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Joined: 18 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 21:16    Post subject: Reply with quote

hgv dave wrote:
hi all
just a question.......as im a hgv driver,do these laws apply to me?
not that ive got a caravan that size mines a 16 footer and weighs 1058kg and i pull it with a 100 series amazon
just curious thats all

hgv dave


Hi Dave,

I assume you mean a Trailer !

And if you have a 100series you can tow 3500kgs

Radiotwo
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deltafive
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 19:20    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am wondering what reception a Hobby caravan towed by a Transit would get at most touring sites, you might be OK as long as there was not a "Motorway Maintenence " sticker on the back, maybe. Plenty of other expensive vans choose one of them unless you want to be taken for a traveller.
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TobyJug
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:43    Post subject: Reply with quote

HGV Dave and radiotwo..

Yes RadioTwo is right...

Being a HGV driver you can tow what you like as long as it falls under the towing limit of the car..
I am looking for the biggest caravan that I can find hehe

Only with a C+E licence by the way with a C1+E you still have restrictions....
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