GTW and towing

[Danni]

Just had a thought, I have a 550kg max load trailer tent, with brakes etc....

Now, on my license (post 1997) I can tow up to a gross train weight of 3500kg so does anyone know what the max gross weight of a T25 is?

[R0B]

I think you must of missed this when you checked the wiki https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Sc ... easurments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Danni]

Thanks Rob. I did look, but I must have overlooked it. looks like its 2390kg which would certainly allow me to tow the trailer. Awesome Sauce

[xs1100515]

It's tricky now that the rules have changed. Back when I were a lad you took your test and could drive up to 7.5 ton which is BIG and tow as well. And as long as I didn't fall off I passed my bike test. The only person I knew who failed the bike test ran over the examiner which correct me if I am wrong is a major fault. You could even ride indefinitely year on year with a provisional and a car licence.

Now the test only covers you up to 3.5 ton and you need another test to tow. And its in two parts. Now for a bike test there's several hurdles (someone will comment) and a written. Confuses the hell out of me.

Do I see driving standards improving..............................nope!

[xs1100515]

Thanks Rob. I did look, but I must have overlooked it. looks like its 2390kg which would certainly allow me to tow the trailer. Awesome Sauce

Is that 2390 with fridge, cooker, poptop, cupboards, shoes, socks, pyjamas, food, toiletries blah blah.................no cos they were added later. Beware the weighbridge.

[Danni]

Thats max gross vehicle weight, not the kerb weight...

If It was a transit van, which have a Max Gross Weight of 3500kg I wouldn't be able to tow ANYTHING behind it, even if the van itself was totally empty.

In this situation, I would be allowed to tow a braked trailer rated upto 1110kg (which would give a Max Gross Train weight of 3500kg) Regardless of how full or empty they are as long as the two consitutents do not exceed their maximum stated load. The reccomendation (not law) is that you do not tow anything over 50% of the kerb weight

The morris however is a slightly different kettle of fish, as it was manufactured before the Gross Train Weight classifications were introduced its all a bit muddled but my understanding of the legislation is that I can tow anything behind it that does not have a rating above the Kerb weight of the car (if braked) and 50% of kerb weigt (unbraked) and still not exceeding 3500kg (which is irrelevant as Morris Kerb weight is 790kg, but might be for a bigger car of the era)

I hope that makes sense

[California Dreamin]

Thanks Rob. I did look, but I must have overlooked it. looks like its 2390kg which would certainly allow me to tow the trailer. Awesome Sauce

Is that 2390 with fridge, cooker, poptop, cupboards, shoes, socks, pyjamas, food, toiletries blah blah.................no cos they were added later. Beware the weighbridge.

Yup...tooth brushes. soap, and a full ash tray! lol.

Gross Maximum Weight.

Martin

[xs1100515]

Thats max gross vehicle weight, not the kerb weight...

If It was a transhite van, which have a Max Gross Weight of 3500kg I wouldn't be able to tow ANYTHING behind it, even if the van itself was totally empty.

In this situation, I would be allowed to tow a braked trailer rated upto 1110kg (which would give a Max Gross Train weight of 3500kg) Regardless of how full or empty they are as long as the two consitutents do not exceed their maximum stated load. The reccomendation (not law) is that you do not tow anything over 50% of the kerb weight

The morris however is a slightly different kettle of fish, as it was manufactured before the Gross Train Weight classifications were introduced its all a bit muddled but my understanding of the legislation is that I can tow anything behind it that does not have a rating above the Kerb weight of the car (if braked) and 50% of kerb weigt (unbraked) and still not exceeding 3500kg (which is irrelevant as Morris Kerb weight is 790kg, but might be for a bigger car of the era)

I hope that makes sense

I'm lost

I towed a small dinghy. As far as I know I was legal. It just shows how easy it is to transgress.

Martin

[Danni]

As long as the trailer was rated for less than 1110kg and the trailer and boat weighed less than that you would have been fine on a post 97 license.

On a pre 97 License you would have been fine as long as long as the van wasn't above 2390kg and the van, trailer and boat didnt exceed 7500kg

[igotadizzy]

all the info is on your vin plate so just have a look and do some simple maths below are the max weights for my van I will use these to explain
2460 KG
3960 KG
1200 kG
1300 KG
at the top is the max gross weight
second is max train weight <ie van+trailer>
next is max first axle
last is max second axle
So simple maths take max train weight from max gross weight 3960-2460=1500 so I as an old fart can tow 1500KG with my van
a person with a 3500KG limit would have to use that as max train weight more simple maths 3500-2460=1040 or just over a metric tonne
So just change to figures on your van vin plate and you can work it out
Also you cant increase your towing weight if your van is empty its all done on gross weight

[Danni]

I dont have a VIN plate yet

[AdrianC]

I dont have a VIN plate yet

If that is the case, then you've got far bigger problems than whether you can tow...!

Open the RHF door of your van. There should be a metal plate rivetted in the front door shut, about "shin level" to the driver (RHD van). It's got the VIN ("chassis number") and the various weights on. That's the VIN plate. Mr MOT checks it every year, to make sure the van he's testing really is the van he thinks he's testing.

The one weight that's missing off it is the maximum trailer weight the van's rated for - not quite the same as GTW, since actual lightly loaded van weight + overweight trailer might still be within GTW, just not legally.
You can find that on p130 of the handbook, but if you're on a post-97 licence, it's academic anyway, since your licence restrictions will kick in first.

[Danni]

I'm in line to get a VIN plate soon, it might even have a van attached

Its important to me to know if I can tow my trailer tent behind it too as that would shift the goalposts somewhat. As it is, I can

[AdrianC]

I'm in line to get a VIN plate soon, it might even have a van attached

Aha!