hobby caravans again
Messages 81 to 100 of 1657. < Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ... 83 Next >
------------------FACT SHEET-------------- February 2003 Requirements for Trailers Requirements regarding trailers used on the road are given in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended (C&U) and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, as amended (RVLR). The following is a summary of the main requirements. 1 Weight In the case of light trailers, that is less than 3500kg maximum laden weight, there is not any specified relationship in UK law between the weight of the towing vehicle and the weight of the trailer. For M1 category vehicles (motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the drivers seat) the maximum permissible trailer weight is quoted by the vehicle manufacturer and if this is exceeded it is possible that the Courts or Insurance Companies may take the view that this constitutes a danger. The maximum laden weight of a trailer which may be towed by a light goods vehicle depends on both the stated gross train weight of the towing vehicle (GTW) and the vehicle manufacturers recommended maximum permissible trailer weight. Neither the maximum permissible trailer weight or the maximum gross train weight (the laden weight of the trailer plus the laden weight of the towing vehicle) should be exceeded. It is possible that the stated gross train weight is less than the sum of the stated maximum permissible laden weight of the towing vehicle and the stated maximum permissible laden trailer weight. In this case the towing vehicle and the trailer must be loaded such that each does not exceed its individual maximum limit and the sum of both does not exceed the maximum gross train weight. It is not a requirement to display a notice of the unladen weight of the trailer or the towing vehicle, unless the towing vehicle is either a motor tractor or a locomotive, as defined in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. 2 Dimensions If the towing vehicle has a permissible gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes the maximum width and length of the trailer are 2.55 metres and 12 metres respectively. If however the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively. In both cases the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle. 3 Brakes Braking requirements are prescribed in Regulations 15 and 16 of The Road Vehicles (Construction &Use) Regulations 1986 as amended and essentially require a trailer with a maximum design laden weight of more 750 kg to be braked and allow an inertia (overrun) type braking system to be used up to a maximum permissible laden weight of 3500kg. In use it is not permitted to use an unbraked trailer the laden weight of which exceeds 50% of the kerbside weight of the towing vehicle. For trailers up to 1500kg laden weight it is permitted to use a secondary coupling, which in the event of separation (NOT failure) of the main coupling will retain the trailer attached to the towing vehicle, prevent the nose of the trailer from touching the ground and provide some residual steering of the trailer. Above 1500 kg laden weight the trailer must be fitted with a device to stop the trailer automatically in the event of separation (NOT failure) of the main coupling and this is normally achieved by a breakaway cable attached to the parking brake mechanism - the trailer becomes detached from the towing vehicle. 4 Lights The requirements for trailer lighting can be found in The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended. A copy can be obtained from The Stationery Office, or see Section 6 below. 5 Coupling devices (Towbars) Any coupling device fitted to a passenger carrying vehicle with up to eight seats plus the driver that: a) has European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and b) that the manufacturer has authorised to tow a trailer and c) is first registered on or after 1 August 1988 must be type approved in accordance with EU Directive 94/20/EC. Modification to the coupling in any way, for example, by the addition of other devices that alter the position of the centre of a coupling ball, will render the approval invalid unless the coupling device manufacturer has taken this into account during approval of the device. You will need to consult the manufacturer for advice. A vehicle that has ECWVTA will have a Vehicle Identification Number plate (VIN plate) bearing the vehicle manufacturers name, chassis number and an approval number including the letter e in a small rectangle. If the manufacturer has not authorised the towing of a trailer by declaration during the type approval process, it is not permitted to fit a coupling device or tow a trailer. 6 Legislation The Regulations referred to above may be obtained through the Stationery Office under the references, SI 1986 No.1078 for the Construction and Use Regulations and SI 1989 No. 1796 for the Lighting Regulations. However, there have been many amendments to these base Regulations and it is important to obtain all of these in order to have the current situation. As an alternative, you may find it easier to visit a good, city based, reference library where there may be a copy of The Encyclopaedia of Road Traffic Law and Practice, published by Sweet and Maxwell. This publication tracks the amendments to legislation and presents them in an up-dated form. One of the volumes will contain both the Construction and Use and Lighting Regulations. The address of the Stationery Office is HMSO Publications Centre, PO Box 276, London, SW8 5DT (Tel 0870 600 5522, web site: http://www.hmso.gov.uk Virtual Bookstore: http://www.tso.co.uk/bookshop/bookstore.asp) The RVLR amendments together with amendments to C&U from 1988 can be found as Statutory Instruments on the HMSO web site. 7 Other considerations The above information relates to basic construction requirements and some aspects of the use of trailers. In addition it is recommended that you check that you have the appropriate Driving Licence entitlement and whether the vehicle or combination of vehicles requires a tachograph to record drivers hours. The latter will apply to most vehicles and combinations of vehicles above 3500kg gross weight where used for commercial purposes. For Driving Licence enquiries contact: DVLA Customer Enquiries, Telephone 0870 240 0009, fax: 01792 783071, email: [Log in to view email] For Tachograph requirement enquiries contact: Dft Road Haulage Branch 1, Tel: 020 7944 2756 If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below: Vehicle Technology and Standards 6 Department for Transport Zone 2/04 Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street Tel: (0207) 944 2078 London Fax: (0207) 944 2069 SW1P 4DR Email: [Log in to view email]
ANYONE GOT ANY ADVICE?
Stu
You cannot, under existing UK law, tow the caravan in the UK with your existing vehicle. Adverts Currently On Preloved - Place an ad here for free
Come South, near one of the Channel ports and get pulled over for checking. You will be charged on several counts - including driving without valid insurance. Should you be unfortunate enough to have an accident you could find that both vehicle and caravan insurance is invalidated and you would be without any redress.
They can arrange for the purchase and delivery of a new Hobby direct to a site in Spain. If you over winter (6 months) yo save a lot of VAT as well as having a very inexpensive van. You could also try Camping Center Voepel. Excellent prices, good after-sales service, friendly and helpful Hobby supplier. If you then arranged for delivery to Spain, as above, you can save on VAT but you have to reclaim it. German Caravans (UK) are also very good and easy to work with. Peter M
it would be very greatfull if they do
You can try any of the German or Dutch Hobby dealers - some have been listed on this site. You need model and year references plus location. Because of CRIS registration numbers being engraved on the windows of registered caravans, many dealers require proof of purchase/ownership before providing new windows - not just Hobby vans! Apparently, it is known for stolen vans to have the windows replaced to overcome the problem of markings. Good luck.
Messages 81 to 100 of 1657. < Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ... 83 Next >
Important NoteAll messages are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved. You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not a member yet?Why not join the fun for free! Members can sell their stuff completely free of charge, have searches prioritised for their local area, and lots more. Join for free | Member Log In |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
More discussion in