you're wrong on that bit... there was a big discussion about it on the forum transit forum, someone there emailed back and forth with VOSA and posted the replies up for everyone to see
car and trailer both need to be under their individual max weight
car weight plus trailer weight need to be under the cars train weight
and unless you have the license for it (probably not) the car needs to be heavier than the trailer
You won’t win.
Been through it before, even posts a copy of the transcript and letters others have received from DVLA/DVSA and apparently it’s them that are wrong..
a few more details to make it more confusing , passed my licence over 50 years ago AM/A/B1/B/C1/C/D1/BE/C1E/CE/D1E/f/k/l/n/p/q
the trailer is braked single axle approx. late 60s
car engine Toyota 2.4 diesel plus the 4x4 box , mk2 4 door 2wd heavy duty axle , plus power steering heavy springs adjustable shocks , extra 50lt fuel tank, yes I can get it weighed ,
maybe ask the manufacture about gtw beginning to think if I put a vin plate on with figures that would look right for vehicle weight and size .but when first registered this vehicle was in a grey area , now to register a similar vehicle every thing has changed specifications would be more exacting, this vehicle has been used on the road for 27 years with trailer when needed
have only been stopped once and was asked about my tyres ,I said I had two new on rear and front ns was legal but will soon be replaced along with osf tyre , he said I new my vehicle very well and let me go
It is a minefield and info on official websites doesn't appear that clear, especially the maximum allowable mass thing, but the following page (section 1, last paragraph) clearly states your fine as long as the actual weights don't exceed the gross train weight ie actual mass is to be used, not MAM. There are other factors such as manufacturers specs, and towing vehicle/trailer weight ratios to consider too though before you go yoking a triple axle ifor to your Micra! It does mean that, if all other conditions are met, a 2 ton car with a 1.5 ton towing capacity and 3.5 ton GTW can pull a 3.5 ton plated trailer as long as it doesn't actually weigh more than 1.5 ton.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van-the-basics
View attachment 169841
In an attempt to clarify what has been said.
1, IF you have a Cat B licence (post 01-01-97 & not taken BE test) you are limited by individual & combined plate weights even if empty & not be over loaded.
With this licence you are more likely to be held back by the sub 3500kg combined plate weights issue.
Licence Limits with B:-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer 750kg
OR
Combined plate weight of 3500kg IF the trailer is over 750kg
2, IF you have a Cat BE licence (pre 01-01-97 or taken BE test) you are limited by individual plate weights (but higher limits) & not be over loaded.
With this licence you are more likely to be held back by the real weights (unless towing say a farm trailer with a landrover).
Licence Limits with BE (excluding the C1 / C1E section):-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer 3500kg
3, there is a third type if you have a pre 19-01-2013 BE (free or took test) licence where the limits are different.
Licence Limits with BE (excluding the C1 / C1E section):-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer unlimited
In case 1 you can not tow a trailer even if both are empty if the combined plate weight of vehicle & trailer total more than 3500kg unless the trailer is plated to 750kg then the total can be 4250kg.
In case 2 & 3 you can tow a 3500kg trailer with a vehicle that is only able to tow 1200kg as longs as the trailers real weight & vehicles real weight is under the vehicles GTW / GCW.
In case 3 you can tow any plated weight trailer as long as the real weight is within the vehicles GTW / GCW.
The biggest issue here is the braking system must not be over run type if trailer over 3500kg plate weight.
People are confusing LICENCE law & C&U Law.
You have to comply with both with both types of licence.
Vehicle capacities use REAL weights
Licence capacity uses PLATED weights.
This is 100% correct.
In an attempt to clarify what has been said.
1, IF you have a Cat B licence (post 01-01-97 & not taken BE test) you are limited by individual & combined plate weights even if empty & not be over loaded.
With this licence you are more likely to be held back by the sub 3500kg combined plate weights issue.
Licence Limits with B:-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer 750kg
OR
Combined plate weight of 3500kg IF the trailer is over 750kg
2, IF you have a Cat BE licence (pre 01-01-97 or taken BE test) you are limited by individual plate weights (but higher limits) & not be over loaded.
With this licence you are more likely to be held back by the real weights (unless towing say a farm trailer with a landrover).
Licence Limits with BE (excluding the C1 / C1E section):-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer 3500kg
3, there is a third type if you have a pre 19-01-2013 BE (free or took test) licence where the limits are different.
Licence Limits with BE (excluding the C1 / C1E section):-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer unlimited
In case 1 you can not tow a trailer even if both are empty if the combined plate weight of vehicle & trailer total more than 3500kg unless the trailer is plated to 750kg then the total can be 4250kg.
In case 2 & 3 you can tow a 3500kg trailer with a vehicle that is only able to tow 1200kg as longs as the trailers real weight & vehicles real weight is under the vehicles GTW / GCW.
In case 3 you can tow any plated weight trailer as long as the real weight is within the vehicles GTW / GCW.
The biggest issue here is the braking system must not be over run type if trailer over 3500kg plate weight.
People are confusing LICENCE law & C&U Law.
You have to comply with both with both types of licence.
Vehicle capacities use REAL weights
Licence capacity uses PLATED weights.
This is 100% correct.
I'm pretty sure that on a pre 97 licence you can actually have a MAM of 8250kg whereas on the post 97' B+E it is 3500 + 3500
That is an often misquoted reply.
The 8250kg is actually for the C1E 107 restriction part of the licence. It only applies IF the vehicle is over 3500kg.
On your pre 97 no test BE & pre 19-01-2013 BE with test the regs are a vehicle up to 3500kg & an UNLIMITED trailer plate weight.
The reality is that very few sub 3500kg vehicles are rated for over 3500kg & if the trailer is over 3500kg then the brakes must be of an active type like air brakes not over run.
The most common combo is an older landy that can tow up to 4000kg with active brakes.[/QUOTE
3, there is a third type if you have a pre 19-01-2013 BE (free or took test) licence where the limits are different.
Licence Limits with BE (excluding the C1 / C1E section):-
Vehicle 3500kg
Trailer unlimited
so if I used a trailer with a plated gross weight of 3500 or less what plate should I attach to the car, assuming I can do that , such as a weight plate