A few facts about towing in the UK
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:32 pmHi all
there are two types of unit we tow with our tow cars Braked and unbraked.
We will do the unbraked unit first.
The maximum gross weight you are allowed to legally tow with an unbraked trailer is 750kgs The maximum weight you are allowed to tow with your car is half the kerb weight of your tow-car.
so to tow the 750kgs your cars kerb weight must exceed 1500 kgs.
Your trailer must also conform to the MOT towing regulations for unbraked trailers in that it should be fitted with a second coupling that can be securely attached to the trailer and will not brake should the trailers towing attachment come adrift from the tow ball. Here are the towing items used on caravans and trailers to conform to the law .many trailer use a chain to go over the tow ball and is not unlawful but is not recommended because if the chain did bounce off if your towing attachment failed it would be your responsibility for any damage to life or property it caused. it is our responsibility to make it safe.This I checked out with the MOT.By the way if the trailer becomes unattached from the tow-car the second coupling must not allow any part of the draw bar to touch the road.
http://www.western-towing.co.uk/acatalo ... Parts.html
You will find on this link all you require to tow legally in the UK.
Braked trailer or caravans
The maximum gross weight you are allowed to tow with a braked unit is equal to the kerb weight of your vehicle. Caravan and towing associations
Recommend that novice towers should not exceed 85% of the tow cars kerb weight. Braked trailers also require an additional coupling called a breakaway cable this coupling job is ,should the trailer separate from the tow-car the cable will pull the trailers brake on and then snap to allow the towing vehicle to go on without the caravan who's own brakes will bring it to a stop.
Nose weight ,the maximum nose weight for both car and trailer is given on a plate on the vehicle or should be.It is recommended that all units tow at the maximum setting.There is a calculation that you can do to assess you nose weight should it be not given using 7% of the trailers weight. Take the trailers weight say 1000kgs multiply by 7 then Divide by 100 = nose weight 70kgs max. this calculation should not override manufactures given nose-weights.
Rex.
there are two types of unit we tow with our tow cars Braked and unbraked.
We will do the unbraked unit first.
The maximum gross weight you are allowed to legally tow with an unbraked trailer is 750kgs The maximum weight you are allowed to tow with your car is half the kerb weight of your tow-car.
so to tow the 750kgs your cars kerb weight must exceed 1500 kgs.
Your trailer must also conform to the MOT towing regulations for unbraked trailers in that it should be fitted with a second coupling that can be securely attached to the trailer and will not brake should the trailers towing attachment come adrift from the tow ball. Here are the towing items used on caravans and trailers to conform to the law .many trailer use a chain to go over the tow ball and is not unlawful but is not recommended because if the chain did bounce off if your towing attachment failed it would be your responsibility for any damage to life or property it caused. it is our responsibility to make it safe.This I checked out with the MOT.By the way if the trailer becomes unattached from the tow-car the second coupling must not allow any part of the draw bar to touch the road.
http://www.western-towing.co.uk/acatalo ... Parts.html
You will find on this link all you require to tow legally in the UK.
Braked trailer or caravans
The maximum gross weight you are allowed to tow with a braked unit is equal to the kerb weight of your vehicle. Caravan and towing associations
Recommend that novice towers should not exceed 85% of the tow cars kerb weight. Braked trailers also require an additional coupling called a breakaway cable this coupling job is ,should the trailer separate from the tow-car the cable will pull the trailers brake on and then snap to allow the towing vehicle to go on without the caravan who's own brakes will bring it to a stop.
Nose weight ,the maximum nose weight for both car and trailer is given on a plate on the vehicle or should be.It is recommended that all units tow at the maximum setting.There is a calculation that you can do to assess you nose weight should it be not given using 7% of the trailers weight. Take the trailers weight say 1000kgs multiply by 7 then Divide by 100 = nose weight 70kgs max. this calculation should not override manufactures given nose-weights.
Rex.