Buying a used small trailer

burrows · 01-09-2015 03:12PM #1

I am looking into buying a small trailer for use around the garden - fill it up over a few weeks with cuttings and such like and then take it to the tip when its full. It would be a sub 750kg gross weight one.

I've been looking on Adverts and DoneDeal and there a quite a few that look home made. How legal are these on the road?

From what I have read there seems to be NSAI rules for trailers of all sizes, am I correct in this? How does this work with older trailers from before the rules or these home made ones?

Youngblood.III · 01-09-2015 03:17PM

Older trailers are exempt, not sure from what year.
Obviously like a car, take it for a drive, get a good look at it all round and especially underneath and hitch.
A safety chain is a must and good lights.

Chiorino · 01-09-2015 03:24PM

The type approval rules apply to trailers manufactured post-October 2012 iirc so prior to this then they are not applicable. However, there is talk of a roadworthyness test coming in at some point down the line which will use a lot of the current rules as test standards so do try to get a modern factory built trailer and stay away from the old "homemade box iron with ford cortina hubs" jobs.

Obviously it will still need to be in a roadworthy condition, lights, tyres etc.

Buying a used small trailer

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