Quote: Originally posted by Phil Ness on 16/4/2014
I asked them for their opinion and the lad there was unsure so I directed him to what is written on the Government website. He pointed out it clearly states that Gross train weight is fully laden car plus fully laden trailer.It does not say laden or partially laden or as you say maximum actual weight of the combination .
So you are saying the website is providing utter rubbish and not quoting the correct law?
Why does the LAW use the word maximum? Why is it not worded actual weight?
Perhaps you should take it up with the Government? What chance do we mere mortals have of getting things correct if they are giving out the wrong advice?
The way DVLA put it on the GOV sites is disgusting
The RTA actually gives the law
You can tell its wrong when you start to think about LGVs as all the GTW laws are the same across the board
Can you imagine how many trailers would need to be replated each time for differing LGVs if it were true !!
------------- EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor
I have asked a HGV trainer examiner who also does ctv training, he said the law on all the websites is wrong, to a point, if you have past your test before the 97 cut off date you can legally tow with a combined weight of up to 7.5 ton, if you past after you can have a combined weight up to a max of 3.5 ton, if you're not sure of your weights go to a council or gov weigh bridge, and get it checked out, all you do is call them and make an appointment, you are then by law allowed to take the van there and back to your home, just like you can with any vehicle requiring an MOT
Quote: Originally posted by michell8 on 16/4/2014
If the information on any gov. website is unclear then the law it relates to cannot really be enforced.
I think you will a disclaimer in small print somewhere to cover their arses
------------- EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor
I really don't see the point you are making ROG, if the law is unclear on a gov. website, how can there be a 'disclaimer'? If the law was being enforced in a court by Vosa for example, the defence would tear that apart. How could Vosa say "Ah but that isn't the law, the law is not actually written down anywhere"?
I don't know what you mean about The Road Traffic Act. Theres no mention of weights I can find, all it seems to be about is enforcement of the law, not any definitions of vehicle weights/dimensions.
It come back to the previous point I was making, one needs to separate licence law from C&U law & look at it logically....
Provided weight of car/trailer is ok on weighbridge then that is ok provided your licence covers you to drive it.
As both you & I have been pointing out, there is no reason why it should be illegal to tow a trailer with actual weight within car limit, provided your licence covers it.
Tbf, the chances of a caravanner being stopped & weighed are very slim, & from what I have heard, the form is just to run outfit over a portable axle weigher & provided that is within limits & presumably driver's licence is checked, then ok?
Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 17/4/2014
I have asked a HGV trainer examiner who also does ctv training, he said the law on all the websites is wrong, to a point, if you have past your test before the 97 cut off date you can legally tow with a combined weight of up to 7.5 ton, if you past after you can have a combined weight up to a max of 3.5 ton, if you're not sure of your weights go to a council or gov weigh bridge, and get it checked out, all you do is call them and make an appointment, you are then by law allowed to take the van there and back to your home, just like you can with any vehicle requiring an MOT
hi.infact with a pre 97 b+e licence you can drive a vehicle with upto 3,500kg gvw and tow any trailer so long as the train weight of the towing vehicle isnt exceeded. this could be as much as 11ton as i see it.
i lower jap 7.5 ton trucks to 3.5ton they keep train weights of that amount . its a way of having a big fifth wheel camper when you are 70 and not keeping the c1+e on your old licence .
mind if you are not 70 you can still use the b+e .
only the c1+e is restricted .
that hgc chap needs to have a re think .
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Topic: Towing weights... conflicting advice
