16 replies to this topic

[skinnyminny]

Hi guys, I know this discussion has been had before but I'm still confused! Is it possible to tow a 10cwt braked trailer with a nose weight of 1cwt behind a 1979 mini 1000 (with a 1.3 micra engine & disc brakes)? It's less than the weight of the vehicle - showed 670kg at the weigh bridge today with half a tank of fuel on board. But seems to be much more complicated than that with things like MAM - where can I find max tow weight for the mini? Google came up with nothing.

Also, is the best towbar option something that will attach to the rear subframe? Car is solid all over.

Thanks for any help!

PS I'd be towing a 1972 Thomson Mini Glen so it was originally designed to be towed by a mini... Whether that is still legal or not is what I want to know!

[nicklouse]

It is amazing what you can find in the Haynes manual.

Max listed weight for a spoon is 404 kg or 896 lb.

[nicklouse]

But have read of this thread http://www.theminifo...c-mini-tow-bar/

If your car is too new you can't tow at all.

[CityEPete]

Depending on when you took your test you might not be able to tow at all now, world's gone mad, lol

[grck1]

Depending on when you took your test you might not be able to tow at all now, world's gone mad, lol

Not mad just very confused.
Dvla have mad a right mess of the laws regarding trailer towing and the trailer test.

Lots of confusing info about it but it basically the trailer test is generally needed when towing a trailer which weighs more than the towing vehicle or the combined gross train weight ( car and trailer combined) excedes 4.25t .
If you dont exceed this limit and the trialer is lighter the the tow car then you should be ok

This is my understanding of it after considerable research into the issue. The dvla and co have not made this clear or easy to understand or even find out.

[blackbelt1990]

I just keep these two bookmarked on my phone in case I'm ever stopped. I've done a fair bit of distance with no issues

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car

http://www.minitrailers.com/tralaw.htm

Edited by blackbelt1990, 14 July 2015 - 08:51 PM.

[blackbelt1990]

I tow a 75kg trailer which is rated to 400kg on the back of my mini which has an unbraked towing capacity of 500 odd kg.

You should also make sure that your trailer has the weights stamped on it. If not, you will be tested against the next lowest rated item, which from memory I think is the tyres and these would put you over the limit.

Edited by blackbelt1990, 14 July 2015 - 08:55 PM.

[skinnyminny]

Oh blinking Nora this is so confusing!! If I just call DVLA will they be able to give me a yes or no answer? I just want to go on holiday and not have to be in a leaky tent 😣

That Haynes manual value seems very low compared to what other vehicles are saying... Is that because the engine isn't powerful enough to pass the 1:8 gradient test? (Something like 5 starts in 5 mins on a 1 in 8 gradient?). Because obviously my shiny newish engine makes a difference there.

Grck1 you've got it right there... They have made a huge balls up of the whole situation!

I'm happy to take my trailer test as I'd like to be able to tow the horses in the future anyway. Not with the mini, obviously!

Just seems bizarre that a caravan designed to be towed by the mini is now not legal. Worlds gone mad!

[CityEPete]

If you haven't got +E on your licence you can't tow anything can you? 

[Tommyboy12]

If you haven't got +E on your licence you can't tow anything can you? 

 

Not the case. Basically if you dont have +E you can tow up to a 750kg trailer with a 3500kg vehicle OR you can tow over 750kg if the gross train weight doesnt exceed 3500kg.

 

For example, I have a B licence with no +E. My Mondeo weighs 1600kg so I can legally tow 1900kg of braked trailer without taking a test. Worth pointing out that my Mondeo has a towing capacity of 2000kg which would actually be illegal for me because that totals 3600kg.

Edited by Tommyboy12, 15 July 2015 - 10:01 AM.

[Broomer]

I have towed all over Europe using this theory, any heavier vehicle such as a land rover etc would put you into the requirements for E+.

Or if your an old fart you can tow what you want with whatever you want.

Edited by Broomer, 15 July 2015 - 10:15 AM.

[Broomer]

Well that is my understanding at its best from the pisspoor explanations online and what I received from the dvla helpline.
The person on the phone read word for word the explanation on their site.

[Tommyboy12]

Yeah they arent very helpful around it. Initially I thought I was limited to a 750kg trailer no matter what.

[surfblue]

I have towed all over Europe using this theory, any heavier vehicle such as a land rover etc would put you into the requirements for E+.

Or if your an old fart you can tow what you want with whatever you want.

Yea at 41, I can tow anything and now it would seem Im an old fart too! 

Im off on Friday towing my twin axle caravan with my Landrover to south west France, maybe being an old fart is not sooo bad after all? 

[minisilverbullet]

my 96 spi is approved by the Swedish authorities to tow 400kg.