trailer construction laws

[Wideboy]

Wonder if anyone can help me, as the DVLA's website is about as clear as barrel of oil when it comes to towing ect.

I have been working on building a bike trailer and at the front of the trailer I have a piece of angle iron running the full width of the front of the trailer and about a foot past each side for a front tie down. I'm aware that having Sharp and protruding edges on a vehicle is an MOT failure. My piece of angle doesn't stick out further than the width of the car so commonsense tells me this is ok as its directly behind the car leaving no room anyone to get in there and get snagged.

I want to put another one at the bottom of the trailer as tie downs for the rear of the bikes, maybe not as long as the front and it won't be protruding past the wheel span of the trailer, however someone could easily get snagged on it and injured. They'd have to most likely be trying to get injured incredibly stupid but I don't want to be pulled over and be read my rights so to speak.

Anyone know anything?

Instead of angle iron use box section,u-section or tube.
If it helps the u-section on side guards must have rounded coach bolt heads for fixing.

As a general rule of thumb there should be no sharp or protruding edges or bolts,even nut heads showing to the outside.

All crazy I know but that is what we have to contend with when we take trucks and trailers for MOT to Vosa test stations.

I think if you use a different material section rather than angle it could be stronger and lighter but considering some of the bodge jobs I have seen behind cars any properly decent construction would be permissable.
Other things are brakes and tow hitch both being dependent on the gross weight,
i.e. single or twin bike trailor as a twin would probably come out at over the 400kg.

If it looks 'safe' you won't get pulled. I've seen some right contraptions being towed about! As aforementioned, don't use angle iron. It flexes too much and I guarantee you will walk into it many times! Make sure your rear facing warning triangles are equal to the widest point of anything stuck out. I heard if its built after a certain date the lighting laws are stricter asin you need rear fog and maybe reverse? Not sure, I class mine as a 'restored' old one if anyone asks due to reusing the hitch and susp units. I've never been pulled with mine and have been all over place trackdaying or racing. Plus if you do a tidy job it will sell easy if you need to.

[tigersaw]

Have you taken your trailer test or whatever its called?

+E catagory Tiger mate

I'm old enough when they just added all the categories upto 7.5t when I passed my test in '89

Lightweight box section or u channel for me too btw.

[embee]

Maybe consider fitting proprietary rope hooks or eyes, they are not expensive and will look much more professional.
These types of items

(Edit - as an afterthought it would be worth checking how your insurance stands, mine covers me for trailers but specifically "proprietary", i.e. not home made)

[Wideboy]

According to the DVLA (I rang them as website was a load of crap) I am allowed to tow an unbraked trailer where the weight and payload cannot exceed 750kg, trailer and payload cannot weigh more than the car and your combined weight can't exceed 3500kg.

The law changes next year where new drivers cant tow anything full stop without a second test and all license obtained prior to 1997 can tow braked with a big payload. Stupidly I can't tow a braked trailer bellow 750kg only an unbraked. Thats all of what the DVLA says as the website doesn't make the slightest bit of sense

[Wideboy]

i think i will go for proper tie downs, whether it legal or not i don't like driving around with two pieces of iron stuck out.

i don't know how you would categorise my trailer. Technically its not a home build, its an old trailer tent that's been stripped down to the chassis and running gear. It's rated to 750kg but i will never carry more than 2 bikes. It has 3 U channels in the middle for the bikes (i.e. carry two bikes on the outsides and for carrying one it goes in the middle) I've gone over all he welds, welded in additional cross rails and all that's left for me to do is weld on my brackets for holding the front on the mudguards, fix the lighting board more permanently, the tie downs then clean it up and paint.

[_Stretchie_]

I sent them an e-mail some time ago asking questions, below is my e-mail followed by their reply. I'll forward it on to you as it has two attachments. (Oh, and check out who it is that works for them... I FEEL GOOD)

My e-mail


Sent: 14 June 2012 11:29
To: IVS ENQUIRIES
Subject: Trailer dimensions for non B+E holder


Good morning

I was wondering if you can offer any help on trailer sizes and dimensions allowed for a license without the B+E entitlement.

I passed my test after 01/01/1997 so I have read and understand about the MAM and trailer weights, but I am wondering two things really.

I would like to know if there are any restrictions on the trailer dimensions, for example can it be only XXmm in width or length and the bed must be XXmm fom the floor or anything like that. Also are there any restrictions (like the MAM) that depend on the towing vehicle, I have a Land Rover Discovery so it's not a small vehicle, but does the trailer have to be narrower than the width of the vehicle, or can it stick out slightly wider than the towing vehicle.

Next I was wondering, if I made a trailer that fits my needs do I need to get it tested somewhere before I can use it? I presume I have to inform my insurance company that I would be towing a trailer.

Many thanks for any information you can give me.

Daniel Stretch




The reply



From: IVS.ENQUIRIES@dft.gsi.gov.uk
To: stretchie_@lovegod.manthrob.net.com
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:08:12 +0100
Subject: RE: Trailer dimensions for non B+E holder



Dear Mr Stretch

Thank you for your email dated 14 June to our IVS enquiries inbox. I have been asked to reply and I apologise for the delay in doing so.

Please click on this link as the information answers the questions you have raised.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...les/DG_4022564

I have inserted an information sheet on “Requirements for trailers” and the “Trailer leaflet” which I hope answer the questions you raise.

Please note that licence issues are a matter for the DVLA and I include their URL for ease of reference. http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/

You will need to contact VOSA and ask them whether you will need to have the trailer tested.

I hope this information is helpful.

Kind regards

James Brown
Department for Transport