Trailer suggestions

Jcanty85

Hi all, I know this topic has be covered in previous forums but I'm in information overload so I was wondering if someone could clarify it for me. I'm on the verge of buying an 1.9tdi octavia and am thinking of buying a trailer to go with it (hopefully a single axle 8x4) I'm currently on a B licence so I think I would be correct in saying that car plus trailer must have a combined DGVW of less than 3500kg. Assuming car would be 19-2000kg that leaves the trailer at roughly 1500kg which is fine as the octavia has a braked towing capacity of 1500kg. My main concern is what sort of brakes are required to be fully compliant? Also is it possible to retrofit brakes to a "homemade" trailer? If I chose to go the unbraked route am I limited to the old 750kg limit? Finally is it possible to get an old trailer tested in order to acertain the dgvw?

I appreciate that this info has been covered in a variety of forums but any clarification someone could offer is greatly appreciated.

Jcanty85

Anyone got any info on this?

9935452

Have you a license to pull a trailer? If not you are limited to 750kgs with your car license.
You can retrofit brakes onto a homemade trailer as long as it has hubs with brakes on it or change the axel.
Personally i would be looking at something like a braked ifor williams which is plated, it could save a lot of messing in the future, Eventually all trailers will need to be plated. Or if you were ever thinking of going to england you will need a plated trailer.

Out of curiosity what year octavia are you buying. Check the engine code on it . Avoid a BXE engine code like the plague

Jcanty85

Thanks for the reply, if I got a double axle with brakes would I not be allowed up to a combined max of 3500kg for car plus trailer plus load?

Kristopherus

Jcanty85 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, if I got a double axle with brakes would I not be allowed up to a combined max of 3500kg for car plus trailer plus load?

Well, imo, a double-axle trailer is by far the best option on a trailer that size. Easier to handle and far less weight on your towbar, less pressure on your rear axle and smoother towing.

CJhaughey

This is all contingent on the type of license the OP holds.
OP check your driving license, what does it cover you to drive/tow?
It will say Category E+B if you have a full trailer license, if you just have category B then you can only tow 750kg max.

Jcanty85

I just got this off the ndls

"You can tow a trailer with a

MAM no greater than 750kg, and/or
Where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg but where the MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3500kg.
As a general rule your category B licence would not allow you to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer for bringing animals to the local mart."

I know it's a grey area but I think this allows me more than the 750kg dependent on the vehicle/trailer combination

Kevin McCloud

CJhaughey wrote: »

if you just have category B then you can only tow 750kg max.

This is incorrect Charlie.

Silvera

Jcanty85 wrote: »

I just got this off the ndls

"You can tow a trailer with a

MAM no greater than 750kg, and/or
Where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg but where the MAM of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 3500kg.
As a general rule your category B licence would not allow you to tow a horsebox or a livestock trailer for bringing animals to the local mart."

I know it's a grey area but I think this allows me more than the 750kg dependent on the vehicle/trailer combination

You can tow over 750kg on a B licence (The above quote from the NDLS website clearly shows that you can tow over 750kg on a B licence).

Any trailer over 750kg dgvw MUST have brakes (and handbrake) fitted.

I'm sure it would be possible to retro-fit brakes onto a 'homemade' trailer, but it would be easier to keep looking for a twin-axle trailer with brakes already fitted.

Most 'homemade' trailers dont have a chassis-plate fitted which shows dgvw, etc.....if you want to be sure of such matters you will need to purchase a 'factory-made' trailer...either new or secondhand.