Daffy – Member
If you passed your test after 1997, then the maximum combined weight of car + trailer + load MUST be less than 3500kg
Nope. You can drive a 3500kg with a 750kg trailer so gross train weight of 4250kg, I think that no longer applies post 2013 changes.
Or if your trailer is over 750kg then the combined weight of 3500kg applies.
It used to be written as actual weight not MAM but I thinkt hey recently changed it, which is a pain for me in a way but we are sticking with a freelander until I do my trailer test as the gross weight on that is about 2200kg so I have the capability for a 1350kg plated trailer and the car is capable of pulling 2000kg but I wouldnt want to do that too often with it.
Our sheep trailer is very old and has no plate. If it did have one I would have it downrated and load it as we do now which is accordingly.
wicki – Member
If you want to tow anything that big then you need a C1 + E licence but the trailer cannot exceed the weight of the towing vehicle.
How does that work with a tractor unit usually around 8 ton and a total weight can be 42 ton on 6 axles 3 trailer 3 for the tractor.
Tractors are different. You are allowed to tow anything the tractor can pull as it is designed specifically for that and the braking system will be plumbed into the tractor so you are not relying on over run brakes which is what causes the problems with a very heavy trailer. it is a very crude system.
it would be silly to require the tractor to be heavier than a whole trailer of hay bales as the engines would end up being a lot bigger and they would need much bigger tyres to avoid sinking into mud and would end up slower etc. So they are just designed specifically to tow with lots of low down grunt and coupled braking systems. The same way you articulated lorry tractor unit doesnt weigh as much as the fully loaded trailer it’s pulling. the 5th wheel hitch and coupled brakes make it suitable.