Is my trailer too big?

#1 Iceweasel

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Posted 14 February 2013 - 09:59 PM

Hi guys I need some help/advice please.

I’m having a problem getting my head round some of the info on the gov.uk web-site.

For several years I have been towing a trailer with a M-Benz Sprinter.

The Sprinter has a GVW of 2800kg and a GTW of 4800kg.
The trailer has a manufacturer’s plate giving the max gross as 2000kg.

I’m over 60 and have held a full car licence since the mid-sixties – so it shows B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E etc.

So far so good, perfect in fact, but …..

I would also like to occasionally tow the trailer with a BMW car having a GVW of 1980kg and a GTW of 3780kg so that would mean that the max permissible weight of the trailer exceeds the max towing capacity of the car by 200kg.

I have no intention of ever loading the trailer to the max of 2000kg with the BMW but am I legal towing it within the limits of the car’s GTW?

I will more than likely be towing a total of nearer 1400kg rather than the 1800kg that BMW allow.

Is it the max permissible weight of the trailer that I need to go by (which is too high for the car) or rather the actual weight which will be much less?

I have read and re-read the gov.uk info several times and I have to reluctantly admit defeat – I’m confused.

I enquired at a caravan agent and he said that I had a choice of perhaps down-plating my trailer (which I don’t want to do because I still want to use the capacity with the Sprinter)
But he said I should be OK due to my age and licence.

I don’t like the 'should' bit – I want to be sure.

#2 Rudi

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 12:06 AM

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