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Whats the law requiring an independent brake on a trailer?

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  • 02-06-2009 9:04am
    #1
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭


    Whats the law on trailer brakes? are they required on all twin axle trailers, horse boxes etc?


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    #2
    peasant
    Registered Users Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    To my knowledge (not necessarily correct) anything above 750 kg gross weight has to have brakes, regardles of the number of axles.


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    #3
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    peasant wrote: »
    To my knowledge (not necessarily correct) anything above 750 kg gross weight has to have brakes, regardles of the number of axles.
    I would presume that would cover an average size car on a transporter trailer,


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    #4
    peasant
    Registered Users Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Indeed it would.
    Average car on trailer would be around 1.5 tons. Towing that withour brakes on the trailer is a bit lethal.


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    #5
    Leman-Russ
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭Leman-Russ


    Brakes are required if the trailer is over 750kg or if the trailer weight more than 75% of the towing vehicle hope that helps


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    #6
    bop1977
    Registered Users Posts: 1,057 ✭✭✭bop1977


    750kg or half the laden weight of the towing vehicle.


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    #7
    pakalasa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    But what is the max weight that can be towed if the trailer is braked?


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    #8
    Anan1
    Registered Users Posts: 22,818 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    I'd imagine that's governed by the car doing the towing?


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    #9
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    If the trailer is over 750kg (e.g. laden carporter) it needs both brakes and an EB driving license (assuming towing vehicle is a car) for the operator. Otherwise its the same as driving without a valid legal license, which is Most Very Ungood :eek:

    Weight of trailer for EB is a real gray area; I've never seen a hard-and-fast limit myself. Even a heavy-duty diesel isn't going to be able to pull anything close to EC1 levels (which has a max of 12000kg, and other conditions) so its probably just like Anan1 said :)


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    #10
    pakalasa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,552 ✭✭✭pakalasa


    Thanks Guys,

    I found this since. It says that the towed weight (braked) must not exceed the weight of the car itself.:)

    "To tow a caravan/trailer the weight of any caravan/trailer equipped with over-run brakes must not exceed maximum weight of towing vehicle"

    http://www.aaireland.ie/infodesk/motoring_europe/speed_limits_notes.asp


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    #11
    BrianD3
    Registered Users Posts: 8,289 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Solitaire wrote: »
    If the trailer is over 750kg (e.g. laden carporter) it needs both brakes and an EB driving license (assuming towing vehicle is a car) for the operator. Otherwise its the same as driving without a valid legal license, which is Most Very Ungood :eek:
    This always causes confusion, you can tow a trailer >750 kg d.g.v.w (design gross vehicle weight) with a B licence if the d.g.v.w of the combination is <3500 kg and the d.g.v.w of the trailer is less than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

    If the trailer d.g.v.w is <750 kg, a driver with a B licence can drive a combination of up to 4250 d.g.v.w once the towing vehicle is in Category B.


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