Thicky alert - trailer question

[peter2407]

So ......my new (to me) laser dinghy with launching and road trailer is now due for its maiden (road) voyage. So ... Questions :

1. Do i actually neec to use the light plate thing wot i bought? If yes do i need to write my car reg number on it?
2. What checks should i apply before starting?
3. How can i calculate the max weight of the boat trailer (thinking about building a box to go on top when there is no dinghie)
4 . Tyre pressure - thumb check, or something else?

Ta.

 

[ProDave]

1: You need a PROPER rear number plate, not some hand written thing, on a proper working lighting board plugged into the towing socket on the car.

2: Make sure road wheel bearings are good, no play, don't make noises. Make sure tyres have good tread, and no cracks in the rubber etc.

3: weight should be on a plate, otherwise don't worry about it. It won't be designed to carry much weight so any option of using it as a general purpose trailer will be limited. As a guide look at the tyres, they should state the maximum load, do not exceed that.

4: max tyre pressure should be on the tyres, but as long as the tyres are not bulging you should be okay.

 

[landlockedpirate]

Exactly what ProDave said +

Stop a couple of miles after you set off to check the hubs are not hot and the load straps are still tight.

 

[SteveTibbetts]

4. - check the tyre pressure with a gauge. I've been in the industry for 25 years and still wouldn't fancy checking pressures by eye or thumbnail. It's important as it's the air holding the weight up, not the tyre.

Only needs to a cheap gauge though

 

[Seajet]

Exactly what ProDave said +

Stop a couple of miles after you set off to check the hubs are not hot and the load straps are still tight.

+1 !

Also don't launch the boat from the trailer unless

A, you take the lighting board off first ( have seen this done more than once )

B, you really want to soon replace the brakes & bearings; carry it to and from the water.

 

[Croak]

I believe you do need the correct number plate, but if the lights vehicle lights are visible from a certain distance behind, you do not need a lighting board in daylight

 

[Seajet]

Try arguing that with an enthusiastic plod ' interceptor ' driver, but more to the point I want good lights - esp brake lights & indicators - to protect whatever's on my trailer and the structure of my car from being rear-ended by some clueless joker !

 

[Croak]

Just answering the OP's question, No point in arguing with ignorant PC's

 

[VicS]

The NTTA website is a useful source of info on the legal aspects of trailer towing

http://www.ntta.co.uk/

Advice on most other towing related matters too

 

[JumbleDuck]

I believe you do need the correct number plate, but if the lights vehicle lights are visible from a certain distance behind, you do not need a lighting board in daylight

That used to be the case, but not any more.

 

[ProDave]

+1 !

Also don't launch the boat from the trailer unless

A, you take the lighting board off first ( have seen this done more than once )

B, you really want to soon replace the brakes & bearings; carry it to and from the water.

He says it's a road trailer and launching trolley, so the road trailer, it's wheels and lighting board should never go anywhere near the water.

 

[Croak]

That used to be the case, but not any more.

Evidence?

 

[Vallich]

So ......my new (to me) laser dinghy with launching and road trailer is now due for its maiden (road) voyage. So ... Questions :

1. Do i actually neec to use the light plate thing wot i bought? If yes do i need to write my car reg number on it?
2. What checks should i apply before starting?
3. How can i calculate the max weight of the boat trailer (thinking about building a box to go on top when there is no dinghie)
4 . Tyre pressure - thumb check, or something else?

Ta.

I don't reply to sentences beginning with 'so'. Oh bugar, dunit again...

 

[JumbleDuck]

Evidence?

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/contents/made

Have fun.

 

[Croak]

(5) No trailer manufactured before 1st October 1990 is required by regulation 18 to be fitted with any stop lamp or direction indicator whilst being drawn by a motor vehicle fitted with one or two stop lamps and two or more direction indicators if the dimensions of the trailer are such that when the longitudinal axes of the drawing vehicle and the trailer lie in the same vertical plane such stop lamps and at last one direction indicator on each side of the vehicle are visible to an observer in that vertical plane from a point 6 m behind the rear of the trailer whether it is loaded or not.


Seems to be on my side

 

[Lakesailor]

The NTTA site linked to above has this specific page on trailer lights. http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/trailers/lights.aspx
also this from a trailer parts supplyer http://uk-trailer-parts.co.uk/trailer-lighting-rules-regulations-and-requirements

It depends entirely if the tow vehicle indicators are visible as per the regs. which depends upon the tow vehicle. If it is post 1990 yes you do have to have lights.

But why would you tow a trailer without a light-board? In current traffic conditions it would be madness.

The rear number plate displayed on the trailer must be the same as the rear plate on the towing vehicle ie: Yellow with black letters. (Unless it is a vehicle before (I think ) 1972 that legally has black with white or silver letters).

The GTW of the trailer (trailer weight and load) is determined by the lowest figure in the construction of the trailer. The suspension units will be rated at a weight, the sum of the tyres maximum load or the stated maximum on the tow hitch. On a trailer with no brakes it will be a maximum of 750 kgs, but it depends on the towing vehicle. For instance a Fiat Panda is limited to 440 Kgs for an unbraked trailer. The figure will be on the VIN plate or in the handbook or on the V5.

 

[JumbleDuck]

(5) No trailer manufactured before 1st October 1990...

As I said. It used to be the case, but isn't any more. Glad you agree.

 

[Croak]

So, it still is the case for trailers manufactured before Oct 1990, two of my boat trailers.

but thank you for the link.

 

[Seajet]

Unless someone is seeking an insurance job to write off their boat, trailer, car and possibly occupants I don't see why a lighting board is so much of a task; unless you're a farmer

 

[onesea]

Should you also not carry a spate wheel for three trailer?

As for lights light board spare wheel. Depends how far I am towing why I am towing. If it's 10 minute hop to launch I might be a bit more lax than if 2+ hour drive. Same with number plate on trailer board. I borrow a friends trailer and do not change the plate but it's only for 2 miles one in a whilst.

Which is silly I suppose as some bright spark well point out most accidents happen..