Trailer Widths.

[Drains]

Does anyone know the limits of trailer widths, according to towing class, eg under 3.5 tonne, over 3.5 tonne etc.

We've got a thing to go on a trailer that's over 2.5m wide, which will be towed by a Landy. The "thing" is over 2.5m, not the trailer, but there is a possibility the thing could be interpreted as a part of the trailer, rather than on it, if you get my drift.

Just wondered where the limits lie.

Any clues folks?

 

[Paul.]

Have a look here simon,

 

[Drains]

Cheers Paul. That's well handy

Only thing is... it says for vehicles up to 3.5t gvw, total length (not including towbar etc), is seven metres. I see Landy's towing gliders that are a whole lot longer than that, also plenty 4x4's with a horsebox. Am I missing something?

 

[..DAZ..]

You're not missing anything, most people don't bother about the laws governing trailers and towing. Most people also wouldn't know what the maximum towing weight of their car is, nose weights etc. But the police are able to stop you and have you take your trailer to a weighbridge to check it, but in reallity I don't think this happens too often

cheers
daz

 

[Paul.]

Cheers Paul. That's well handy

Only thing is... it says for vehicles up to 3.5t gvw, total length (not including towbar etc), is seven metres. I see Landy's towing gliders that are a whole lot longer than that, also plenty 4x4's with a horsebox. Am I missing something?

A few years ago I made a couple of bare chassis for glider trailers, And asked exactly the same question,
there is an exception allowing up to 9.2 mtrs excluding drawbar, for loads of exceptional length which cannot be divided, such as gliders, boats etc,

The regulations are quite complex, and you need to factor in weight, overall combined vehicle length (up to 25.9mtrs). most traffic officers probably don't know the regs and will leave you alone until there's a problem, then out comes the rule book so they can find something to nail you with.

For a bit more information have a look at pages 28 to 38 of this document

 

[Dangle_kt]

like most trailer related things, the law is ignored in the main, but there are a small band of slimey scum that know laws very well, they work for insurance companies and are called "solicitors".

Imagine the worst happens whilst enroute.

You can bet your last pound that if there was anything illegal about the load, even if the police didn't prosecute, they would use it to get out of having to cough up any money. At which point the police might get interested again as you'd effectivly be an uninsured driver.

 

[snowcat]

the gross weights are not movable the widths and lengths are, if its not part of the trailer, although 10'6 is the maximum non escorted width allowed on UK roads, (tho the width is greater on A roads and motorways where an escort is not practical) movement restrictions also come into play on certain load widths.

marker boards and visible lighting pull you on the correct side of the law,the areas are extremal Grey, even the wording of marker-boards wide load, wide vehicle, oversize load, try working out what applies where....

I wouldn't worry pall 2.5 m, I'm soon back on the busmans with 12,6' 85ft 4 points of articulation and little more than a flashing beacon, couple of inpulse markers, boards, and a steady nerve to wind me around the county's roads.......

 

[English Steve]

The maximum width of a goods trailer is 2.55m.
Max load overhang either side of the trailer is 305mm, but overall width must not exceed 2.9m.
If 305mm overhang is exceeded either side, or if overall width exceeds 2.9mm marker boards must be displayed.
If the load is indivisible, the max width is 4.3m, but you must give 2 clear days notice to the police. This notice must be given to every Constabulary whose area you will pass through en-route.

The above is taken from the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) regs (March 09).

 

[SC_BK]

The maximum width of a goods trailer is 2.55m.
Max load overhang either side of the trailer is 305mm, but overall width must not exceed 2.9m.
If 305mm overhang is exceeded either side, or if overall width exceeds 2.9mm marker boards must be displayed.
If the load is indivisible, the max width is 4.3m, but you must give 2 clear days notice to the police. This notice must be given to every Constabulary whose area you will pass through en-route.

The above is taken from the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) regs (March 09).

Max trailer width is 2.3m on a 3.5 ton vehicle
My big trailer is on/slightly over this limit, involves a lot mirror watching to make sure you don't hit anything


Also don't forget your tacho if the train weight is over 3500 and it's business use

 

[English Steve]

Max trailer width is 2.3m on a 3.5 ton vehicle

Agreed, but above 3.5tonne max plated towing vehicle, ie UK maximum, is 2.55m.

 

[zzr1200]

All depends on, how heavy, how far, what the roads are like, how many fuzz are likely to be around, what time of day and of course how good you are at the surpised look plus grovelling.

Slowly, carefully and considerately should be the order of the day, if it looks safe, well loaded and not over weight, they just want you to keep moving.

Its a bit like a country mile and a town mile they're not the same.....

PS. how long/wide is/was the load?