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[OOMV6]

While I’m on a roll....

Trailers, caravans.

A family member gave me a trailer. So I went down to Spain, picked it up and brought it back. The trailer was originally bought from a DIY store in Belgium. As mentioned before, in some countries they are a vehicle in their own right and are subject to the same conditions as a car. So I needed to convince the German authorities all was in order.

So;
- get trailer weighed empty
- get new lights which have to include a fog light – any vehicle, including trailers, made after 19?? year must have a rear fog light.
- orange reflectors on the side
- new red triangle's on the back
- it’s a double axle, and for some reason had 2 sizes of tyres on it – change that.
- number plate lights – ones that actually illuminate the plate
- get insurance
- get tested - based on chassis number

So that was the easy part.
The only papers I had was a copy of the original bill, a copy of the previous owners’ ID, whose name appears on the bill, and a bill of sale from him to me.

The authorities could not initially understand how the trailer itself did not have any papers – logbook, test. After persisting, and stating that it is the case in some countries, and suggesting that a quick internet search would reveal the same info, they started to be convinced. But I needed the ORIGINAL bill of sale when it was bought new. No can do – no longer exists. Anyway, chatting, persisting (politely) resulted in a road legal trailer.


In some countries, vehicles being towed don’t need to tested. Is it like that in UK? It is in some mainland European countries which means AFAIK, Joe Bloggs hooks up any ol’ piece of crap to the back of his car, perhaps driving with extremely limited towing experience, and goes off on his merry way. Frightening really. Especially when around these parts you see all the Dutch cruising down in the summer towards Southern France towing good sized caravans with a Renault clit for example.
Of course, I am aware that there are many responsible “towers”, and I am in no way branding everybody the same, but I do feel there should be more control of the condition of the towed vehicles as well as the drivers who are towing.

What d’ya think? Btw, I am not intending to open a pro / anti caravan discussion. It’s more about the rules / legalities / safety.

[henryd]

While I’m on a roll....

Trailers, caravans.

A family member gave me a trailer. So I went down to Spain, picked it up and brought it back. The trailer was originally bought from a DIY store in Belgium. As mentioned before, in some countries they are a vehicle in their own right and are subject to the same conditions as a car. So I needed to convince the German authorities all was in order.

So;
- get trailer weighed empty
- get new lights which have to include a fog light – any vehicle, including trailers, made after 19?? year must have a rear fog light.
- orange reflectors on the side
- new red triangle's on the back
- it’s a double axle, and for some reason had 2 sizes of tyres on it – change that.
- number plate lights – ones that actually illuminate the plate
- get insurance
- get tested - based on chassis number

So that was the easy part.
The only papers I had was a copy of the original bill, a copy of the previous owners’ ID, whose name appears on the bill, and a bill of sale from him to me.

The authorities could not initially understand how the trailer itself did not have any papers – logbook, test. After persisting, and stating that it is the case in some countries, and suggesting that a quick internet search would reveal the same info, they started to be convinced. But I needed the ORIGINAL bill of sale when it was bought new. No can do – no longer exists. Anyway, chatting, persisting (politely) resulted in a road legal trailer.


In some countries, vehicles being towed don’t need to tested. Is it like that in UK? It is in some mainland European countries which means AFAIK, Joe Bloggs hooks up any ol’ piece of crap to the back of his car, perhaps driving with extremely limited towing experience, and goes off on his merry way. Frightening really. Especially when around these parts you see all the Dutch cruising down in the summer towards Southern France towing good sized caravans with a Renault clit for example.
Of course, I am aware that there are many responsible “towers”, and I am in no way branding everybody the same, but I do feel there should be more control of the condition of the towed vehicles as well as the drivers who are towing.

What d’ya think? Btw, I am not intending to open a pro / anti caravan discussion. It’s more about the rules / legalities / safety.

Only on lorry trailers AFAIK

[OOMV6]

While I’m on a roll....

Trailers, caravans.

A family member gave me a trailer. So I went down to Spain, picked it up and brought it back. The trailer was originally bought from a DIY store in Belgium. As mentioned before, in some countries they are a vehicle in their own right and are subject to the same conditions as a car. So I needed to convince the German authorities all was in order.

So;
- get trailer weighed empty
- get new lights which have to include a fog light – any vehicle, including trailers, made after 19?? year must have a rear fog light.
- orange reflectors on the side
- new red triangle's on the back
- it’s a double axle, and for some reason had 2 sizes of tyres on it – change that.
- number plate lights – ones that actually illuminate the plate
- get insurance
- get tested - based on chassis number

So that was the easy part.
The only papers I had was a copy of the original bill, a copy of the previous owners’ ID, whose name appears on the bill, and a bill of sale from him to me.

The authorities could not initially understand how the trailer itself did not have any papers – logbook, test. After persisting, and stating that it is the case in some countries, and suggesting that a quick internet search would reveal the same info, they started to be convinced. But I needed the ORIGINAL bill of sale when it was bought new. No can do – no longer exists. Anyway, chatting, persisting (politely) resulted in a road legal trailer.


In some countries, vehicles being towed don’t need to tested. Is it like that in UK? It is in some mainland European countries which means AFAIK, Joe Bloggs hooks up any ol’ piece of crap to the back of his car, perhaps driving with extremely limited towing experience, and goes off on his merry way. Frightening really. Especially when around these parts you see all the Dutch cruising down in the summer towards Southern France towing good sized caravans with a Renault clit for example.
Of course, I am aware that there are many responsible “towers”, and I am in no way branding everybody the same, but I do feel there should be more control of the condition of the towed vehicles as well as the drivers who are towing.

What d’ya think? Btw, I am not intending to open a pro / anti caravan discussion. It’s more about the rules / legalities / safety.

Only on lorry trailers AFAIK

Did you read the "don't" as "do"

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, no requirement for trailers to be registered, tested or insured over here. Insurance cover to 3rd parties would be included in your car insurance.

I think it's a good idea because I have a couple of trailers that rarely move and testing them every year, and shelling out for insurance , etc.would be unreasonable. It does put the responsibility for ensuring they are roadworthy 100% on to the driver, though.

They have tightened the towing entitlements for new drivers recently but not necessarily for the best. In some circumstances the 3.5 tonne train weight limit leads them to tow with a smaller car than otherwise might be sensible.

Having said that, I was refreshed to see a builder in rusty white transit, trailer on the back carrying a mini digger, get pulled over by the Police this morning. No lights whatsoever fitted to the trailer, no number plate fitted to the trailer, lights on van obscured by trailer.

I bet he got a "don't do it again!" though. I bet he does do it again, too.

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, and vehicles being towed with their wheels on to road need the be road legal in the UK.

[OOMV6]

Yep, no requirement for trailers to be registered, tested or insured over here. Insurance cover to 3rd parties would be included in your car insurance.

I think it's a good idea because I have a couple of trailers that rarely move and testing them every year, and shelling out for insurance , etc.would be unreasonable. It does put the responsibility for ensuring they are roadworthy 100% on to the driver, though.

They have tightened the towing entitlements for new drivers recently but not necessarily for the best. In some circumstances the 3.5 tonne train weight limit leads them to tow with a smaller car than otherwise might be sensible.

Having said that, I was refreshed to see a builder in rusty white transit, trailer on the back carrying a mini digger, get pulled over by the Police this morning. No lights whatsoever fitted to the trailer, no number plate fitted to the trailer, lights on van obscured by trailer.

I bet he got a "don't do it again!" though. I bet he does do it again, too.

Is that a contradiction, or have I missed something?  Ins for mine is something like 50 euro per year, so not a problem

[Kevin Wood]

No, I meant the UK system is good. 50 Euro  for a trailer that never moves but might be required at short notice seems a bit steep to me. Plus the hassle of having to move it to get it tested.

[OOMV6]

No, I meant the UK system is good. 50 Euro  for a trailer that never moves but might be required at short notice seems a bit steep to me. Plus the hassle of having to move it to get it tested.

Certainly see the point if the trailer is hardly ever being used, for sure. I suppose my concern actually does lie with those to a certain extent. Maybe being a car enthusiast, you might be inclined to check over said trailer before using it, but there must be people who just hook up something that has been sat in a garden for a year or 2 and drive off.
Yeah, testing is a hassle, but for example every 2 years might work better.
Good if the car ins covers trailers - that's a good idea.

[Vamps]

No, I meant the UK system is good. 50 Euro  for a trailer that never moves but might be required at short notice seems a bit steep to me. Plus the hassle of having to move it to get it tested.

Certainly see the point if the trailer is hardly ever being used, for sure. I suppose my concern actually does lie with those to a certain extent. Maybe being a car enthusiast, you might be inclined to check over said trailer before using it, but there must be people who just hook up something that has been sat in a garden for a year or 2 and drive off.Yeah, testing is a hassle, but for example every 2 years might work better.
Good if the car ins covers trailers - that's a good idea.

There certainly are, plus builders / gardeners who frequently overload trailers that may well have some lights not working............

[Ken T]

Yes its the hook up the old trailer and set off in it, without checking or being aware of what is actually going on.

Well my old trailer hasn't moved for several years,  it has crossply tyres, and the box section chassis welded to a flat sheet floor has seen better days, eg more holes than metal. 

I recon I need a trailer to get my trailer down to the dump !.

ken

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, there are always those who have no common sense. Usually seen by the side of the road by a pikey wagon on its' side. 

My "taking stuff to the dump" trailer is well maintained. I recently changed the tyres. Previous tyres were made by the "India rubber company".

My dad gave it to me, and he can't remember ever changing the tyres. His father in law gave it to him when I was born so the extra paraphernalia of a young KW could be taken camping.

[mantahatch]

My trailer is an ex Pirelli Cables trailer and was built in the 60s I think. It has Rubery Owen on the brake drums so that should give you an idea of it's age.

That said it is well maintained and has been completly rebuilt twice whilst in my ownership (22 years) and just at the end of last year had new lights and wiring fitted. The floor is a sheet of aerolam on steel chassis with aluminium sides front and tailgate. The ladder rack is newish, (15years ago) the tyres are probably 10 years old but are in very good condition with no cracking.

It's only problem is the wheels are begining to rust out and I am having trouble finding replacements. They are old car wheels 13 inch but with a 4x114.3mm PCD or 4.5inch in old money, if anyone has 2 or 3 of these kicking about I would like to buy please.

[aaronjb]

It's only problem is the wheels are begining to rust out and I am having trouble finding replacements. They are old car wheels 13 inch but with a 4x114.3mm PCD or 4.5inch in old money, if anyone has 2 or 3 of these kicking about I would like to buy please.

Triumph 2000, Scimitar (IIRC) and early Japanese cars had that PCD & bolt pattern .. might be able to find some small steelies from one of those? Datsun Cherry, that kind of era..

[mantahatch]

It's only problem is the wheels are begining to rust out and I am having trouble finding replacements. They are old car wheels 13 inch but with a 4x114.3mm PCD or 4.5inch in old money, if anyone has 2 or 3 of these kicking about I would like to buy please.

Triumph 2000, Scimitar (IIRC) and early Japanese cars had that PCD & bolt pattern .. might be able to find some small steelies from one of those? Datsun Cherry, that kind of era..

Yes please if 13inch. Have been looking at jap ones and most I have found are 14inch. Not at all worried about tyres or a bit of surface rust. Just not rusted through like mine  Could do paypal if postable or collect and pay cash. Dad loves a run out to collect things for me (he is retired)

Sorry for going off subject again 

[aaronjb]

It's only problem is the wheels are begining to rust out and I am having trouble finding replacements. They are old car wheels 13 inch but with a 4x114.3mm PCD or 4.5inch in old money, if anyone has 2 or 3 of these kicking about I would like to buy please.

Triumph 2000, Scimitar (IIRC) and early Japanese cars had that PCD & bolt pattern .. might be able to find some small steelies from one of those? Datsun Cherry, that kind of era..

Yes please if 13inch. Have been looking at jap ones and most I have found are 14inch. Not at all worried about tyres or a bit of surface rust. Just not rusted through like mine  Could do paypal if postable or collect and pay cash. Dad loves a run out to collect things for me (he is retired)

Sorry for going off subject again 

Whoops, I meant you might be able to find some off a Cherry etc .. I don't have any I'm afraid. Poor choice of words on my part!

Come to think of it, I think anything with a 13" wheel is more likely to have been 4x100 (Micra K10 etc) Sorry about getting your hopes up like that!