105 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

Thanks Carlos - so a braked trailer would be fine for you.

Mini, say 700kg average + trailer aprox 200kg max = 900kg, so all good

 

The wifes Seat Ibiza log book is here too

 

Mass in Service 1225

 

Braked 1200

Unbraked 610

[darkcat]

Still ok for her then!

Odd how the braked mass is less than yours, but the un-braked is more!!

[Carlos W]

Still ok for her then!

Odd how the braked mass is less than yours, but the un-braked is more!!

 

Yeah, I noticed that.

 

If you have the chassis of the trailer with wheels, braking system and hitch as a one and the bed removable you'll be able to store it standing up.

 

That way it wouldn't be a nightmare to set up the brakes every time you want to use it.

 

My experiences of over run brakes was over 10 years ago, but they were a pig to get to work.

[Shifty]

I have an ifor Williams trailer, it weighs about 250kgs and has a total capacity of 1400 kgs. So I can legally put 1050 of weight onto it. My BMW estate can tow 1600 kgs.

I think you'll be limiting yourself making it mini specific. Its really not that big a market.

[darkcat]

Yes its a limited market, but I'm not really looking to make a full time business out of it, just a gap in the market that could do with filling
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Hmm well having done the numbers, they arent going to be "cheap", once I include galvanising, parts, winch, and IVA test... 

[mini93]

Apparently a Brian James clubman trailer fits in a standard length garage. Should be about right for most people... assuming a garage is available. It's what im hoping to do with mine when my car is finished.

[darkcat]

Nice little trailers, but what if you want to actually use your garage?

For my situation a trailer that splits into a few parts and can be stored behind my garage makes perfect sense, I need a trailer for say 3 or 4 times a year for between 2 days and 2 weeks at a time (2 weeks rental would be up to £250 a time) , I dont have space to keep a full trailer as my spare space is full of 3 minis! and I use my garage for my weekend toy. 

Still thinking it over, I'm pretty much definitely going to build one for myself (as a prototype / to use)

I'm not a fan of being taken advantage of by companies offering niche products, So if i do produce some to sell they wont be at a ludicrous price, but obviously more than a normal small fixed bed car transporter as they wont be mass produced. 

Edited by darkcat, 02 March 2015 - 07:27 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Apparently a Brian James clubman trailer fits in a standard length garage. Should be about right for most people... assuming a garage is available. It's what im hoping to do with mine when my car is finished.

 

Mine was a Woodford, and was exactly the same, would fit inside a standard single garage... The expectation being what you towed on it was actually sat on it in the garage.

[mini93]

Thats what im anticipating, mini sat on the trailer, wheeled into the garage... but of course i've since popped a work bench at the back, so this plan might have to change afterall. I'm in no rush!

[darkcat]

Oooh, I might have a solution for that

[Guess-Works.com]

If you make room under the bench for the tow hitch you can put it in forwards...That's what my neighbour does, so trailer in, and then drive the car onto the trailer while it's in the garage.

 

Means you can go out for a run in the car without having to remove the trailer.

 

Also if you're security conscious, mount a ball hitch to the back wall and lock the trailer to it.

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 02 March 2015 - 08:14 PM.

[Jordie]

Pretty sure from the comments, you havent fully understood the MAM thing for towing with a cat B license.

 

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) - This should be taken to mean the permitted maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.

 

And its pretty common practice, to only tow 85% of maximum capacity.

 

https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules

 

 

A full car licence already lets you tow trailers weighing no more than 750 kg. You can also tow heavier trailers with a car as long as the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500 kg. The fully loaded trailer must also not be heavier than the unladen vehicle (this only applies to licences issued before 19 January 2013).

 

Category B

You can tow trailers up to 750kg MAM (maximum authorised mass).

You can also tow larger trailers if: - the combined trailer and vehicle weight isn’t more than 3,500kg - the fully-loaded trailer weight isn’t more than the unladen vehicle weight

[Jordie]

My honda civic......1245kg unladen weight.

 

Say ive got an ifor williams, single axle CT115 trailer, Gross Weight is 1400kg which exceeds unladen weight of the civic.

 

Thats before considering the braked towing weight of 1200kgs and taking into account the civics GVW in the MAM of car+trailer.

[Black.Ghost]

At the end of the day, there is no way he can account for what car anyone has. If anyone buys or uses one, it is their responsibility to ensure their car and license are good for it. Whether it's doable for a cost effective price is a different matter.

Is that 85% a guideline or legally enforceable? I've not seen that figure before but I've not towed yet. It is something I am considering in a few months or so though and would like to know things like that.

Edited by Black.Ghost, 02 March 2015 - 09:33 PM.

[Jordie]

Just he advised Carlos that it was perfectly fine for his Seat Ibiza, without knowing the GVWs of the car or the trailer in this thread.

 

I am only pointing out so anyone reading, can find the correct information or seek advice rather than assuming details and getting into bother.