35 replies to this topic

[998dave]

You should note on the weight of the trailer that you can only tow up to half the kerb weight of the vehicle if the trailer is unbraked.

So if a mini weights say 700kg the max you can tow would be 350kg.

Everything you put in the car other than the driver and some fuel has to come off the kerb weight. So if you have a car full of 3 people and a boot full of stuff, then if say they all weighed 75kg each and 25kg in the boot you would have to take 250kg of the kerb weight. This would mean the most you could then tow is 225kg.

If you make the trailer braked (which you could if you are keeping the subframe) you can then tow up to the kerb weight.

Almost agree, I'm aware the maximum weight for an unbraked trailer is half the kerb weight of the vehicle, so approx 350kg.
But I don't think you have to take off whatever is in the car, at least nowhere I have checked would suggest so, including DVLA and trailer and towing association, (or whoever they are).

If you make a trailer braked it get a whole bunch of extra restrictions, plus I want to keep the weight down anyway as the mini's engine won't like having another 750kg to tow around.

Dave

[mini1976]

You should note on the weight of the trailer that you can only tow up to half the kerb weight of the vehicle if the trailer is unbraked.

So if a mini weights say 700kg the max you can tow would be 350kg.

Everything you put in the car other than the driver and some fuel has to come off the kerb weight. So if you have a car full of 3 people and a boot full of stuff, then if say they all weighed 75kg each and 25kg in the boot you would have to take 250kg of the kerb weight. This would mean the most you could then tow is 225kg.

If you make the trailer braked (which you could if you are keeping the subframe) you can then tow up to the kerb weight.

Almost agree, I'm aware the maximum weight for an unbraked trailer is half the kerb weight of the vehicle, so approx 350kg.
But I don't think you have to take off whatever is in the car, at least nowhere I have checked would suggest so, including DVLA and trailer and towing association, (or whoever they are).

If you make a trailer braked it get a whole bunch of extra restrictions, plus I want to keep the weight down anyway as the mini's engine won't like having another 750kg to tow around.

Dave

Hi Dave,

It says this on the Direct Gov web site

"Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM."

The unladen weight of the vehicle is then defined here

Unladen weight or kerb weight is given a little more info on here

Ive never overly worried about it its just something to be aware of that as far as I understand that, you have to take off the weight of the car everything you put in it, before halfing it to get your towable weight.

Please tell me I have miss understood it as I would love to leagaly tow more


OOO just found this too LINK

Edited by mini1976, 04 December 2008 - 05:38 PM.

[998dave]

I don't think you have to subtract the weight in the vehicle.


On a different note, I have a dry and a wet rear subframe to pick from.

Any thoughts on putting a wet rear subframe into the trailer, and what would happen with either blanking the hydrolastic pipes, or putting them side to side across the trailer?

Dave

[pantera2075]

A couple of ideas:

How about having the roof lift up vertically on rams or like an ironing board - this'll give you a parasol effect. Then, mount a couple of camping gas burners in the speaker holes on the parcel shelf - instant griddle. Then possibly upholster the inside of the boot lid for a drop down seat.

Orrrrr......

Make the front pointy right down the tow hitch. Make a completely flat floor. A couple of portholes in the wings, and you should be able to sleep in it.

Oh, and if you're adding another battery you would be best to get a thing called a "Split charge relay" which makes sure the car battery is full before it charges the trailer one. - So the car will always start whatever state the trailer battery is in.


*Thinks* Might have to find a spare GTM rear end now........

[mini1976]

I don't think you have to subtract the weight in the vehicle.


On a different note, I have a dry and a wet rear subframe to pick from.

Any thoughts on putting a wet rear subframe into the trailer, and what would happen with either blanking the hydrolastic pipes, or putting them side to side across the trailer?

Dave

I wouldnt connect the hydraulics together across the car as when it tries to roll and pushes down on the outside wheel it will then push up on the inside wheel, making the trailer roll even more. I cant see any advantage to the wet subrame over the dry.

[998dave]

Thanks,

That's what I was thinking, only good thing I could think of would be to do with height.

Anyway, I actually have two dry rears, one dry front, and a spare wet front, so it's all irrelevant anyway!

Dave