Trailer - few questions.

CiniO

Hi.
I know there's plenty posters here with experience with trailers, so I though I might ask, as I don't have much experience with them.

Recently I bought a second hand Ifor Williams BV84 (box van). I think its 2006 year model, single axle, plated to 1400kg. Condition is average with some rust especially on axle, suspension parts, but it's not like there was massive choice there, as such trailers show on donedeal very rarely and I needed exactly one like that to fulfill all requirement for towing on B licence only.

I'm planning to drive it across Europe fully loaded, so need to have it 100% roadworthy.

It came with 165R13C tyres, but they are old (2005) and have load rating 94 which is 670kg. That can't be right for 1400kg single axle trailer, can it?
I assume I need to get 165R13C 96 load rating tyres (710kg). Am I correct?

Also I noticed leaf springs are of single type, while online you can see single leaf springs as well as double leaf springs for Ifor Williams trailers, so my first though was shouldn't that trailer be equipped with double springs considering it's only one axle with 1400kg (needs to take more weight than f.e. 3500kg 3 axle trailers).
Does anyone know if those trailers came with single leaf springs originally, or someone just done a quick replacement on mine?

I'm considering getting new leaf springs for it (as those are bit old and rusty already), but now not sure if I should get single or double springs? Are they even interchangeable? Or does a fact that single leafs springs are fitted mean I can only get new single leaf springs for it, and double wouldn't fit?

Have a look at the pictures of axle, and leaf springs and tell me what you think. Do they look like they need changing? That's having in mind that traier will do 2500kg run across Europe fully loaded - but probably not so hard on suspension as it will be nearly entirely motorways.

I'm definitely going to do some rust removal/protection job on an axle, hubs...
But not sure what to do with leaf springs.

Thanks for any opinions or hints.

TrailerBob

Single leaf spring is right on those as far as I remember, and those look like they've been in from new. New ones would be a good idea. It looks like its had brake cables done. The tyres need to go because of their age. That suggests they are on it from new, which makes sense as they are a common trailer tyre (maxmiler). Get the higher load rating if you can for peace of mind.

Other than that, check and grease the hitch and make sure the brakes are fully free. Also check for play in the wheel bearings, don't want one of them letting go halfway through Belgium. Lastly be careful how you load a single axle trailer. Weight should be balanced slightly forward of the axle. Too far forward and the nose weight on the hitch is a problem. Too far back and it will snake badly on the road.

CiniO

TrailerBob wrote: »

Single leaf spring is right on those as far as I remember, and those look like they've been in from new. New ones would be a good idea. It looks like its had brake cables done.

I was told by seller that brakes went through major refurbishment including new cable and new brake pads. (I didn't verify pads though as I believe only way is by taking the drums off which doesn't seem that simple job.)

The tyres need to go because of their age. That suggests they are on it from new, which makes sense as they are a common trailer tyre (maxmiler). Get the higher load rating if you can for peace of mind.

I'm not sure if tyres are from new. Possibly one of the previous owners changed them.
Or would that be possible for Ifor Williams to supply 1400kg rated trailer with tyres only rates to 670kg each (1340kg total) ???

Anyway - them being 13 year old and having cracks on sidewall (as on the pictures) is a definite indication to change them.
94 rated ones (670kg) seems much cheaper than 96 rated (710kg), but I want to get the right ones, especially that trailer will probably end up being registered in Poland and will need to go through roadworthiness test which will require right trailers for axle weight.

Other than that, check and grease the hitch and make sure the brakes are fully free. Also check for play in the wheel bearings, don't want one of them letting go halfway through Belgium. Lastly be careful how you load a single axle trailer. Weight should be balanced slightly forward of the axle. Too far forward and the nose weight on the hitch is a problem. Too far back and it will snake badly on the road.

Thanks for all the tips. I'll follow all of that.

Have you got any tips on motorway driving with trailer?
I've driven with trailers a bit on local roads around, but never took one on motorway.
I assume it will be mostly steady driving at around 80km/h to 100km/h.

A quick google showed me that speed limits on motoway should be 80km/h in Ireland, 60MPH in UK, 130km/h in France, 120km/h in Belgium, 90km/h in Netherlands, 80km/h in Germany and 80km/h in Poland.
Not sure if that's 100% accurate - need to find some reliable source.
But I doubt it would be wise to be much over 100km/h with fully loaded trailer.


Also which car would be probably better for towing?
8th Gen Civic (05-11) 2.2 diesel - rated to tow 1500kg.
or 2nd Gen CRV (02-06) 2.0 petrol - also rated to tow 1500kg.

Civic weights about 1400kg when empty, while CRV just over 1500kg as far as I know so is a bit heavier.

TrailerBob

I would be using the CRV as a bigger car will be more stable, even if it's less fuel efficient. Having said that, the civic would be powerful enough for it. You would be wise to stay below the 100km/h mark as it keeps you out of most trouble. (I have gone harder with a bigger trailer in France but also a bigger tow vehicle and more stable setup)

As for motorways once you have the trailer loaded in a stable way then you shouldn't have to do much different. Just don't forget it's there when changing lanes! Avoid sudden changes of direction and harsh barking and you'll be grand. It's not that hard really

Rave.ef

You might be pushing the boundaries of 1400kg on just a b. Even though the trailer is plated for it your limited to 750kg and a combined weight of 3500kg. You'll have to check out the restrictions in the country's your driving through also. As far as the motorway driving gos you can't drive in the far right lane. Here you'll be grand but on foreign soil just keep that in mind.

mayota

Rave.ef wrote: »

You might be pushing the boundaries of 1400kg on just a b. Even though the trailer is plated for it your limited to 750kg and a combined weight of 3500kg. You'll have to check out the restrictions in the country's your driving through also. As far as the motorway driving gos you can't drive in the far right lane. Here you'll be grand but on foreign soil just keep that in mind.

In fairness CiniO is almost an authority on licensing and regulations.

CiniO

Rave.ef wrote: »

You might be pushing the boundaries of 1400kg on just a b. Even though the trailer is plated for it your limited to 750kg and a combined weight of 3500kg. You'll have to check out the restrictions in the country's your driving through also.

I checked Ireland and UK:
Ireland:
https://www.ndls.ie/licence-categories.html

Category B.
Vehicles (other than motorcycles, mopeds, work vehicles or land tractors) having a MAM1 not exceeding 3,500 kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

The vehicle may tow a trailer (a) where the MAM of the trailer is not greater than 750 kg or (b) where the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg the combined MAM of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg.

Point (b) (in bold) applies in this case.
Car's MAM is 1890kg (civic) or 1990kg (CRV). Trailer is 1400kg. Sum is below 3500kg, so it's allowed on B licence.

UK
https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg.

Regulations in Poland are pretty much the same - I won't put links as it's pointless as they'd be in Polish.
I didn't browse through exact regulations from France, Germany, Belgium, Netherland, etc, but I'm assuming those driving licencing regulations all being based on EU directive - they must be the same all over EU.
Will double check before I go.

As far as the motorway driving gos you can't drive in the far right lane. Here you'll be grand but on foreign soil just keep that in mind.

I know in Ireland it's prohibited.
I'm not sure about other countries - will have to check, unless someone has that data already.

zilog_jones

That seems like a silly rule - so if you meet a tractor going 60km/h on a motorway, you're not allowed to overtake it if you're towing a trailer?

Del2005

zilog_jones wrote: »

That seems like a silly rule - so if you meet a tractor going 60km/h on a motorway, you're not allowed to overtake it if you're towing a trailer?

Or if you are in a vehicle which can't exceed 100km/h which is all HGV's. It's a law copied from the UK where it applies on >2 lane motorways, here we just implemented it.

CiniO

Del2005 wrote: »

Or if you are in a vehicle which can't exceed 100km/h which is all HGV's. It's a law copied from the UK where it applies on >2 lane motorways, here we just implemented it.

It's 90km/h.
So applies to all trucks and any other vehicles towing trailer and buses designed to carry standing passengers.

Regular buses are limited to 100km/h so are not bind by those regulations prohibitng using most right lane on motorways.

CiniO

zilog_jones wrote: »

That seems like a silly rule - so if you meet a tractor going 60km/h on a motorway, you're not allowed to overtake it if you're towing a trailer?

You can use right lane to pass an obstruction, which tractor doing 50km/h on motorways I'd consider to be one.

Del2005

CiniO wrote: »

You can use right lane to pass an obstruction, which tractor doing 50km/h on motorways I'd consider to be one.

That wouldn't be considered an obstruction though, an obstruction would be something that can't move not something that can't move fast.

CiniO

Del2005 wrote: »

That wouldn't be considered an obstruction though, an obstruction would be something that can't move not something that can't move fast.

Imo it's discussable.
My opinion would be that tractor doing 50km/h on motorways is an obstruction.

If however I was overtaking one, and Garda would see it and pull me over and decided to fine me for doing so, which I would refuse and case end up in court and judge decided that tractor doing 50 km/h isn't an obstruction on motorways, then I would take a fine and stand corrected.


All depends what opinion a judge would be.

mgbgt1978

Rave.ef wrote: »

You might be pushing the boundaries of 1400kg on just a b. Even though the trailer is plated for it your limited to 750kg and a combined weight of 3500kg. You'll have to check out the restrictions in the country's your driving through also. As far as the motorway driving gos you can't drive in the far right lane. Here you'll be grand but on foreign soil just keep that in mind.

In case you didn't read any of the other replies, that is total BS. Who actually told you this ??? :rolleyes:

CiniO

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

In case you didn't read any of the other replies, that is total BS. Who actually told you this ??? :rolleyes:

He said:
your limited to 750kg and a combined weight of 3500kg


Should read:
your limited to 750kg or a combined weight of 3500kg


Only one word difference, but makes massive mistake.

However it refers to MAM or D.G.V.W, so very hard to estimate that on unlabeled/unplated trailers.

Rave.ef

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

In case you didn't read any of the other replies, that is total BS. Who actually told you this ??? :rolleyes:

Are you just a dip**** on the internet or do you struggle in real life too.

mgbgt1978

Fourteen hours for a crap comeback !!!:rolleyes:


If you're going to give out info that people ask for, at least try to get it right.


...and, unfollow.