Hi, just been to the dealers to trader up to a newer van and they say the tyres on my van must be no more than five years old or they will charge me for new ones,As there is new a law or legislation past earlier in the year is this correct ? If so does it include private sellers or just traders/dealers.
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Don't think it's a matter of "common sense"; more about awareness.
Not everyone who tows is a regular reader of these and similar forums, the Club magazines, The Caravan Manual etc, and may not realise the dangers of old, but apparently good, tyres or indeed other aspects of caravanning like towcar matching, licence restrictions, correct loading, over-reliance on stabilisers and so on.
Haven't heard about a "new law". I guess the dealer was just trying to explain why older tyres would reduce his trade-in offer.
the dealer was telling lies.. advising people that it may be wise to change their tyres every five years is one thing using none existent laws is another..
the dealer was just looking for a reason to knock his trade in offer down..
personally i would like to see some evidence to back up this five year claim something more than supposition..
The date your tyres were made will be on the sidewall in the form of four numbers usually preceded by the letters DOT. These numbers represent the week number and year, so DOT 3410 will be week 34, 2010.
Something like the picture below
If the salesman is insisting on this, make sure the tyers on the van you are buying are not coming up to 5 years old
remember a Tyre could be a few years old before being fitted, especially if bulk purchases are made, if stored properly a Tyre can be safe to use beyond 5 years
I bet he has got loads of used vans with old tyres on his site.
I donot know if it applies to caravan makers or dealers but any tyre supplier or fitter cannot sell you or fit tryes on your vehicle which are over 3 years old that is law as informed by a local tyre fitter. (ie car makers also)
That is most probably why you see tyre suppliers/fitters advertising expensive tyres at 1/2 price because they coming up to 3 year old. just to get rid before having to scrap them.
I wonder if this applies to a new caravan a dealer has had on site unsold for 3 years ??? or a new van one or two year old with 3 year old tyres on ?????
Tyres that have been in storage should not be placed into use if they are over 6 years old, from their date of manufacture, and when fitted can be used for an additional 4 years.
So the whole think can be a nightmare, how can you prove when they where fitted.
i would say if the salesman wants to charge you for replacement tyres for your caravan then insist on new tyres on the van you are going to buy.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: caravan tyres
