Having just got back from a trans continental touring holiday, some of the 'rigs' had me wondering if they were actually legal........here are some factors to consider

http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue023/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Payload%2C+GVM+%26+What+You+Need+To+Know&utm_campaign=Unsealed+4X4+Issue+023+-+Send+004#21

(being a free mag you have to wade through the adds)

Having just got back from a trans continental touring holiday, some of the 'rigs' had me wondering if they were actually legal........here are some factors to consider

http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue023/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Payload%2C+GVM+%26+What+You+Need+To+Know&utm_campaign=Unsealed+4X4+Issue+023+-+Send+004#21

(being a free mag you have to wade through the adds)

 

Some Citroen's and other PSA models are a problem in the UK. They quote a reasonable Max Braked Trailer weight and have decent Kerbweights, dealers are telling buyers they are OK to tow their trailers. But there is a sting, the Gross Train Weight (Car+Trailer) is very low meaning if you tow to near the maximum trailer weight and add in the cars kerb weight the only payload for the car you have left is little more than the driver and some fuel. So you can take your caravan but not your family.

We currently have a DS5 owner on a caravan forum who is taking the dealer to court for miss-selling.

 

There are also license restrictions on towing for anyone who passed their test after 1997 or who have been banned and had a new licence since 1997.

 

Lee

Out here I doubt that the cops care a fig.

The trucking industry supervisors and roads authorities may but I've never seen one pulled over.

I can't remember seeing one on a weighbridge

It's quite common in the UK.

 

We have the Police, Traffic Enforcement Officers and then VOSA who are more interested in goods vehicles but can still weigh a car/trailer.

 

I work at a site close to a motorway/highway that has several weights and measures verified weigh bridges and see the police bring in vehicles with trailers often.

 

It is very complicated and easy to get caught out especially with the UK's licence restrictions for those who passed their test after 1997.

 

Lee

Edited 24 May, 201610 yr by logiclee

Same over here. Most people have no idea what they can or cant tow, in particular farmers who assume they can do what they like with their cars/trailers.. more often than not they are overloaded regardless of license. Been cracking down on it recently though, hopefilly people will reallise its not a case of do whatever you want coz itll be fine..

Out here it's seems like it's a bit like the U.S. 'Right to Bare Arms' mentality with same trend to massive clumsy vehicles equiped with everything including the kitchen sink.

The retailers of these vehicles seem to have joined forces with the modification retailers and the end result is tens of thousands of dollars more than the new price ...... a big weight gain but a reduced carrying capacity also .......more money than brains it seems to me.

Same over here. Most people have no idea what they can or cant tow, in particular farmers who assume they can do what they like with their cars/trailers.. more often than not they are overloaded regardless of license. Been cracking down on it recently though, hopefilly people will reallise its not a case of do whatever you want coz itll be fine..

Do tractors used on the roads have to be registered?.

The ones we saw recently didn't seem to have plates.......didn't bother with lights either.......mobile hazards it seemed to me.

Do tractors used on the roads have to be registered?.

The ones we saw recently didn't seem to have plates.......didn't bother with lights either.......mobile hazards it seemed to me.

Yes they do, but... many farmers used to declare them as non road going, and not pay tax, but then ramble around the roads in them as theres zero enforcement. Use of lights is a general problem here, not just with tractors... you'll burn out the bulbs if you use them dont you know...

Missing reg plates is also quite common with tractors.. they get damaged or fall off and dont bother replacing them, along with wing mirrors, windows, light clusters.. heaven forbid you keep your vehicle fully road legal.

tractors arent meant to use motorways either, but they will be seen from time to time. Was delighted one day i passed a garda checkpoint on the sth bound motorway while heading nth, actually pulling vehicles with trailers checking licenses etc.

1/2 a mile up the road on a slow approach - some d***head in his Zeteor with a cattle trailer bumbling down the road straight for the squad

Edited 25 May, 201610 yr by mac11irl

Another consideration in the UK is insurance.

 

If you are involved in accident the insurance assessors are now very clued up on weights and licence restrictions.

 

If you are over any of the Gross Vehicle, Gross Train, Axle, Max Tow or Nose Weights of the vehicle or Nose weight or Maximum weight of the trailer or have exceeded your licence restrictions then your insurance is likely not to pay out.

 

Lee