Booked a camping trip in France and towing a trailer for the first time. Does anyone know whether insurance is required specifically for the trailer whilst towing to be legal and any other tips such as maximum towing speed, etc? Any advice appreciated.
Insurance: your trailer will be covered third party on your car insurance.
Speeds: we need more info as to the total weight allowed for the trailer and for your car.
Look on weight plate under car bonnet. Is highest figure, the gross train weight over 3.5tonne? If so motorway limit is 56mph, if under 3.5tonne then its 80mph(ie same as solo car)unless otherwise indicated. Nothing to do with actual weight, its what is max allowable gross train weight of car.
Thats the law in France. On motorway it does seem largely ignored though. On UK motorway you tow at 60 so do the same on French motorway & you won't go far wrong.
Off motorway towing on open rd its 90k/56mph under 3.5t(same as car)& 80k/50mph over 3.5t.
Probably good idea to take a spare, not having one turns a half hr delay into a nightmare that could last all day or longer. Does not trailer maker list spare wheel carrier as accessory?
As for top speed, they get towed up to 80mph on French motorway, your link is trailer speed limits in Sweden, I think.
Are you sure that your Galaxy has a gross train weight of 4200kg? It seems rather high. I used to have a VW Sharan and I'm sure it was no where neat that.
Hi at GWTE, yes, there is a stamped plate inside the drivers door. It has the following weights marked on it (had to get the drivers handbook to see which was which as they are just labelled B to E, A is the VIN)
B - Gross vehicle weight 2505kg
C - Gross train weight 4200kg
D - Maximum front axle weight 1225kg
E - Maximum rear axle weight 1335kg