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Towing a Trailer
The following information has been taken from the current Road Vehicle (Constuction and Use) Regulations 1986.
TABLE (regulation 8(1))
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Item | Class of Vehicle | Maximum Width
(metres) |
| 1 |
A locomotive, other than an agricultural motor vehicle. |
2.75 |
| 2 | A refridgerated vehicle. | 2.58 |
| 3 | Any other motor vehicle. | 2.5 |
| 4 | A trailer drawn by a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight (determined as provided in Part I of Schedule 8 to these Regulations) exceeding 3500 kg. | 2.5 |
| 5 | An agricultural vehicle. | 2.5 |
| 6 | An agricultural trailed appliance. | 2.5 |
| 7 | Any other trailer drawn by a vehicle other that a motor cycle. | 2.3 |
| 8 | A trailer drawn by a motor cycle. | 1.5 |
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a broken down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown.
(3) No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing a wheeled trailer if, when the longitudinal axes of the vehicles are parallel but in different vertical planes, the overall width of the two vehicles, measured as if they were one vehicle, exceeds 2.5 metres.
(4) In this regulation “refrigerated vehicle” means any vehicle which is specially designed for the carriage of goods at low temperature and of which the thickness of each of the side walls, inclusive of insulation, is at least 45 mm.
Trailers drawn by motor cycles
84.- (1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or
permit to be used, on a road a motor cycle-
(a) drawing behind it more than one trailer;
(b) drawing behind it any trailer carrying a passenger;
(c) drawing behind it a trailer with an unladen weight exceeding 254 kg;
(d) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar, and with an engine
capacity which does not exceed 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer;
or
(e) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar and with an engine
capacity exceeding 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer unless-
(i) the trailer has an overall width not exceeding 1 m;
(ii) the distance between the rear axle of the motor cycle and the
rearmost part of the trailer does not exceed 2.5 m;
(iii) the motor cycle is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous
and readily accessible position with its kerbside weight;
(iv) the trailer is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and
readily accessible position with its unladen weight; and
(v) the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 150 kg or two
thirds of the kerbside weight of the motor cycle, whichever is the less.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (l)(b), (d) and (e) do not apply if the trailer
is a broken down motorcycle and one passenger is riding it.
Unbraked Trailers
87:- (1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road and unbraked wheeled trailer if –
(a) its laden weight exceeds its maximum gross weight; or
– it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice
the sum of the unladen weight of the trailer and the weight of any load which trailer is carrying.
(2) This regulation does not apply to-
(a) an agricultural trailer; or
(b) a trailer mentioned in regulation 16 (3) (b) to (g)
Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply
16.- (1) Save as provided in paragraph (2) and (3). This regulation applies to every vehicle to which regulation 15 does not apply.
(2) Paragraph (4) of this regulation does not apply to a vehicle which complies with regulation 15 by virtue of the proviso to regulation 15(1), or which complies with community directive 79/489 or ECE regulations 13.03, 13.04 or 13.05.
(3)This regulation does not apply to the following vehicles, except in the case of a vehicle referred to in (a) insofar as the regulation concerns parking brakes (requirements 16 to 18 in Schedule 3)-
(a) a locomotive first used before 2nd January 1933, propelled by steam, and with an engine which is capable of being reversed.
(b) a trailer which-
(i) is designed for use and used for street cleaning and does not carry any load other than its necessary gear and equipment.
(ii) has axle weights of which the sum does not exceed 750Kg;
(iii) is an agricultural trailer manufactured before 1st July 1947 drawn by a motor tractor or an agricultural motor vehicle if the trailer-
(A) has a laden weight not exceeding 4070kg
(B) is the only trailer being drawn; and
(C) is drawn at a speed not exceeding 10mph; or
(iv) is drawn by a motor cycle in accordance with regulation 84,
(c) an agricultural trailed appliance;
(d) an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor;
(e) a broken down vehicle;
Want to read the whole regulation, click on the link below;
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/contents/made