I am currently after a small unbraked trailer to make life easier when going camping and have the opportunity to buy an old trailer that would need refurbishing. Basically its just a metal frame on wheels. I understand that it will need a lighting system, reflectors, a number plate and mudguards. What I don't know however, is the requirement of a manufacturer's plate giving the unladed weight etc. If the trailer was made before the plate requirements came in, and doesn't have a plate, will it be legal? Have I missed anything?
Thanks in advance.
Note also that if you want the car breakdoiwn cover to also cover the trailer, then they all seem to insist that the trailer is a recognised make, rather than DIY jobby.
1982 regulations demand that all trailers, including unbraked ones, must be clearly marked with their maximum gross weight in kg. This may be checked at any time by the police at a weighbridge. Since 1st January 1997, all unbraked trailer plates must show the year of manufacture.
To comply with the D.o.T. Code of Practice for the recall of defective trailers less than 3500kg G.V.W. it is desirable that a trailer should carry a manufacturer's plate clearly showing:
Manufacturers name and address chassis or serial number and model number
Number of axles
Maximum weight per axle maximum
Nose weight of coupling
Maximum gross weight (G.V.W.)
Date of manufacture
------------- 2008 Bailey Pageant Champagne series 6 with a Dorema Daytona Awning + Nissan X-Trail + Outwell Trout Lake pollycotton tunnel tent
But what about trailers built pre 1982/1997? cant see how the regulations would apply, but then again how could I prove that the trailer was pre 1982 without any original purchase documents. The regulations must surely only apply to trailers built after the regs came in.
Looking at the trailer in question, it could have been hitched a Roman Chariot!!!!
Well Garry C who seems to know about rules & stuff doesn't actually say "trailers manufactured after 1997" he says "since 1997" - 2 very different things.
the way i read it was that in 1982 they made it law that ALL trailers regardless of there age etc must show there gross weight in kg,the 1997 part threw me too...
------------- 2008 Bailey Pageant Champagne series 6 with a Dorema Daytona Awning + Nissan X-Trail + Outwell Trout Lake pollycotton tunnel tent
the way i read it was that in 1982 they made it law that ALL trailers regardless of there age etc must show there gross weight in kg,the 1997 part threw me too...
As the gross weight doesn't have to be on a plate, the 1982 regs could easily be applied retrospectively. How on earth could you apply the 1997 law retrospectively?
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Topic: Old trailer questions.
