Thread: Car Trailer Hire, Regs, etc

Originally Posted by StuRR80

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right section for this question, so mods, feel free to move (I guess you will anyway! )

I've scared myself by looking at car trailer regs to see what I can or can't do.

I just need clarification/ help please.

As I understand it you can't tow a combined weight (trailer + towed vehicle) greater than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. What's the defined weight of the towed vehicle - GVM or unladen? This is an old rule - now it is the weight specified by the vehicle manufacturer in the handbook. Subject to trailer braking requirements.

I'm looking at towing a rangie behind my Jeep with a tow capacity of 2,950kg. So with trailer (the next issue) + rangie (unladen weight 2011kg(??)) I should be right but if it's GVM + trailer I've no hope. You should be OK but the trailer being over 2 tonne will need electric breakaway brakes fitted. But check the total allowed "train weight" - tow vehicle plus trailer+load etc. Also check the carrying capacity of the trailer - much to my horror most are only rated to carry 1400kg (certainly applied to U haul bit my local guy says his are good for 2 tonne but it does not have break away brakes.

If it's the former (ie unladen weight) anyone know where you can hire a trailer with a carry cap of 2t?! Most of the trailer from servos are 1750kg cap. (Ok - yours is 1750kg - most are less and most do not have the required breakaway system) - so limits total trailer and load to 2 tonne.

TIA
Stu

See my comments in red

Stu,

This is a very current topic for me as I have been looking for and buying a car trailer in recent times.

I have a car trailer. It weighs 600kg and has a GVM of 2000kg
I can place up to a 1400kg load on it.
BUT
The Landrover can tow a load of 3500kg (RRC chassis), so I can tow a 1400kg load on the trailer with the Landrover.
ALSO
A standard 1994 Commodore can tow a load of 1590kg, so I can tow a 990kg load on the trailer with the standard 1994 Commodore.
BUT
The 1994 Commodore has a heavy duty tow kit fitted which brings its towing capacity up to 2100kg, so I can tow a 1400kg load on the trailer with the 1994 Commodore.

Further to this, I want to have the trailer re-rated to 2800kg GVM so I can carry a load of 2200kg. I have been told by the manufacturer this can be done if I change the springs, axles, hubs, wheels, tyres and fit electric brakes with a breakaway unit.
He did offer an alternative. He will make me a trailer rated at 2800kg GVM but it will weigh 1200kg thus giving me a carrying capacity of 1600kg. (Too much money for too little gain.)

I hope this helps.

I doubt you will be able to hire a trailer that can do more than 2000kg total (trailer plus load) as the override brakes on hire trailers from the service stations can only be used on trailers 2000kg or less. These trailers only have brakes on one axle. You need electric or vacuum operated brakes for anything over 2000kg plus the breakaway brakes and both axles need to be braked.

As you need the tow vehicle to have the activating portion for the over 2000kg brake system not many people have them for hire. Someone on another thread mentioned that they used a plant trailer from an equipment hire place to do their 4x4.

Originally Posted by slug_burner

I doubt you will be able to hire a trailer that can do more than 2000kg total (trailer plus load) as the override brakes on hire trailers from the service stations can only be used on trailers 2000kg or less. These trailers only have brakes on one axle. You need electric or vacuum operated brakes for anything over 2000kg plus the breakaway brakes and both axles need to be braked.

As you need the tow vehicle to have the activating portion for the over 2000kg brake system not many people have them for hire. Someone on another thread mentioned that they used a plant trailer from an equipment hire place to do their 4x4.

See post 2:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/fcs-milita...-fc-101-a.html

FC 2B Unladen about 2000Kg (had a lot of parts on board also) and the trailer had three braked axles with 14" Light truck wheels and tyres, electric breakaway controller and onboard battery......really about the minimum to do the job safely.

Bob

Originally Posted by bobslandies

See post 2:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/fcs-milita...-fc-101-a.html

FC 2B Unladen about 2000Kg (had a lot of parts on board also) and the trailer had three braked axles with 14" Light truck wheels and tyres, electric breakaway controller and onboard battery......really about the minimum to do the job safely.

Bob

Excellent find Bob. There must be not much on telly.
The maximum towing with that setup still would be restricted by the 3500kg RRC limit.
A 101 I think is rated to 4000kg so that would have been able to tow the full 4000kg GVM of the trailer.
The highest rating on a 50mm tow ball is 3500kg so that is why there is a lunette on the trailer.
A further note, not all 50mm balls are rated to 3500kg. I'd better check that mine are.

Around here no one bothers, , they just hire the trailer and tow what ever they want. Now the trailer rental places have cracked down and most of them arent renting out car trailers because they are sick of the customer being pulled over for towing illegally and the Highway Patrol telling them they cant tow it any further and then having to pay to recover the trailer.

The guys above have it pretty well covered but I can ask highway patrol today at work for their view on the matter.

If you are after a hire trailer that can carry 2 tonne, check out your local plant and equipment hire places. "Handi Hire" here in Bundy have a 4 wheel electric brake (with break away) trailer that has a 2 tonne pay load, I use regularly. The equipment hire places usually maintain their gear a hell of a lot better than the servo hire people.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

A 101 I think is rated to 4000kg so that would have been able to tow the full 4000kg GVM of the trailer.

Sorry there Mick - the official tow rating of a 101 is 2 Tonne.

When they were built that were required to tow 2 tonne over all terrain so they were given a "max recommended 2 tonne rating" - no account was taken of civilian requirements as it was never sold as a civilian vehicle. Where most 4wds are limited to 750kgs off road and somewhere around 3500kgs onroad the 101 is 2000kg everywhere.

Now I personally believe a 101 would be good for about 3500kgs (with a bit of weight in the rear of the 101) but the plate on the truck says otherwise.

You might be able to raise it by going through engineering but with drum brakes it might be an issue. It is a shame they put the 2tonne thing on the plate because then you can legally get away with towing more.

Cheers

Garry