Towing rulesand regs

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Towing rulesand regs
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lorrayne

Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 239
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 2:10 pm Post subject: Towing rulesand regs
Would there be any reason why I couldn't tow one of these in the UK would there ? https://www.tinyhousetalk.com/tumbleweed-fencl-tiny-house-on-a-trailer-for-sale/

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 2:35 pm Post subject:
You will need a tow vehicle that is capable of towing about 5000kg+ by the time you have put your stuff in it. So that rules out all cars, pickups & vans. It also rules out 7500kg lorries if you have a pre 97 licence as you are limited to about 8250kg train weight. So that leaves people with a proper lorry & lorry licence (hgv / lgv) only.

lorrayne

Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 239
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 4:55 pm Post subject:
Thank you Richard

three ravens

Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Posts: 35
Location: aberaeron wales

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 8:58 pm Post subject:
it all depends on the weight, it says its bolted to a 9000lb trailer but dosn't give an unladened weight for the compleate unit. some 4x4 can tow upto 3.5 ton with normal brakes or 4 ton with coupled brakes but the best way would be to put it on a mini 5th wheel call it a camper,its a grey area no vehicle weight limits and a normal mot on a car licence

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 9:22 pm Post subject:
Tow it with a tractor on a car license, sorted

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4635
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 9:29 pm Post subject:
See, I'm just seeing "big, heavy, not aerodynamic"

three ravens

Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Posts: 35
Location: aberaeron wales

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 11:21 pm Post subject:
if your not in a hurry go with robs idea, cheap tax & insurance and you can run it on red diesel !!!

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 12 11:26 pm Post subject:
You can't run it on red, unless you pay the extra duty, only certain uses are ok on red and I am pretty sure this isn't one that you'd get away with.

stumbling goat

Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1990

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 12 6:44 am Post subject:
Why would you need an LGV/HGV category on your licence? sg

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 12 1:45 pm Post subject:

Because you cant have a max train plated weight of over 8250kg on a car licence even with a pre 97 or post 97 with trailer test.

As there are no sub 3250 cars that can legally tow 5000kg trailers you will need a HGV/LGV licence.

Even if the trailer & house do not weigh the full amount the trailer will still be plated at 9000lb which is still over the 4000kg (4090kg) you can do with a Landrover (the only ones that I know can do 4000kg) with active brakes.

You could get the trailer max weight reduced if the house part & contents are not to heavy.

stumbling goat

Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1990

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 12 3:49 pm Post subject:
I thought that was only if you carried goods for hire or reward? Otherwise it becomes a heavy motor vehicle. I seem to recall an issue with some showmen who did not require an HGV category on a licence. I will need to check, it has been a while since I read up on it. Similarly with mobile cranes. sg

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 12 4:48 pm Post subject:
https://www.transportsfriend.org/hours/hgv.html

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 12 10:25 pm Post subject:

The most you can have on a car licence (excluding tractors, cranes ect) is 7500kg for pre 97 & 8250kg inc trailer, post 97 cat B licence its 3500kg plus 750kg trailer or 3500kg inc trailer if trailer is over 750kg.

Nick that link is just about tacho & driver hours not what you can & cant drive of different licences.

Showmans is a special case.

If you took your c1+e after 97 you can drive a combination that is up to 12000kg.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 12 7:25 am Post subject:
Sorry, cnp the wrong link! Yeah, there's a showman's exemption for various bits. Not entirely sure it passes as a big top. Fun House, maybe?

County4x4

Joined: 18 Dec 2008
Posts: 80
Location: Carnforth, Lancashire

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 12 6:50 am Post subject:
Tricky without knowing the weight of the unit AND the dimensions. The 9000lb referred to is likely to be the max weight the trailer can run at - which is just over 4 tonnes. That doesn't mean of course that the house is going to weigh that much - but really I'd have expected the manufacturer to give some more details on that sort of thing. Why not drop them a line and ask? Andy

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