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Subject Topic: Down plating trailer weight Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonAndyjackson
25/1/2017 at 3:11pm
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Hi All,

We have a Lider Saragos unbraked trailer which is plated at 750kg.

Due to a change of employer the car we tow it with will have to change. The list of lease cars is limited and the max unbraked capacity amongst them is 650kg.

Having previously taken the trailer to a weigh bridge all our kit for camping and trailer comes in well under 500kg. (short of taking the AGA, which is sometimes on the list, I doubt we will need another 150kg let alone 250kg)

Is there a process for down rating a trailers plated weight? If there is any insight into how it is done would be greatfully received.

Andy

Thanks


PersonOpensauce
25/1/2017 at 3:35pm
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You don't need to downplate trailer. Provided the loaded trailer does not weigh more than 650kg then you are legal to tow.

The only reason for downplating a trailer is for driving licence purposes, ie to bring combination below 3.5t mam.

For your purposes you are concerned with construction & use regs so all need to do is ensure actual loaded trailer weigh does not exceed limit for car.

Downplating trailer is diy. Get a blank vin plate & some number/letter punches & make up a new one. trailers & caravans can also be up plated to maximum axle weight indicated on axle.


PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 12:21pm
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ONLY the trailer manufacturer can re plate a trailer by law

Home made plates have no legal standing = 100% fact

If no plate on the trailer then the total of the tyre load ratings will be deemed in law as the MAM



Post last edited on 28/01/2017 12:31:25

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Persondiesel steve
28/1/2017 at 12:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by ROG. on 28/1/2017
ONLY the trailer manufacturer can re plate a trailer by law

Home made plates have no legal standing = 100% fact

If no plate on the trailer then the total of the tyre load ratings will be deemed in law as the MAM



Post last edited on 28/01/2017 12:31:25


so i could put heavy duty van tyres on my little caddy trailer to carry more weight then


PersonOpensauce
28/1/2017 at 1:36pm
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You could provided your loaded does not exceed any max weight rating stamp that might be visible on axle & obviously unbraked trailer cannot exceed loaded weight of 750kg & only then if towcar unbraked tow limit allows it.

What law Rog? There is no registration or mot tests for the type of trailer/caravan that can be towed behind private car so how can there be a law you cannot replate the trailer yourself. How would anybody know? Many makes of trailer or caravan have been discontinued or are foreign & no data will exist about them.


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PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 1:46pm
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Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 28/1/2017
Quote: Originally posted by ROG. on 28/1/2017
ONLY the trailer manufacturer can re plate a trailer by law

Home made plates have no legal standing = 100% fact

If no plate on the trailer then the total of the tyre load ratings will be deemed in law as the MAM



Post last edited on 28/01/2017 12:31:25


so i could put heavy duty van tyres on my little caddy trailer to carry more weight then

If the rest of the trailer is designed to do that then yes - there are certain max design weights for all components


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EX LGV & B+E instructor


PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 1:47pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 28/1/2017
You could provided your loaded does not exceed any max weight rating stamp that might be visible on axle & obviously unbraked trailer cannot exceed loaded weight of 750kg & only then if towcar unbraked tow limit allows it.

What law Rog? There is no registration or mot tests for the type of trailer/caravan that can be towed behind private car so how can there be a law you cannot replate the trailer yourself. How would anybody know? Many makes of trailer or caravan have been discontinued or are foreign & no data will exist about them.

Check the RTA


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PersonOpensauce
28/1/2017 at 5:09pm
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I just have & nothing I can see. Can you be more specific?


PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 5:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 28/1/2017
I just have & nothing I can see. Can you be more specific?

I have seen it but cannot find it again - perhaps it was in C&U regs ..........

I wish I could find the link to it I posted on one of the other websites I frequent ......

Failing me finding it please contact any major trailer manufacturer who should have a direct link for you

Its deffo in the law


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PersonOpensauce
28/1/2017 at 6:08pm
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We will have to take your word for it then Rog. Nothing in the C&U regs that I can find.


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PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 6:13pm
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Try DVSA as they enforce the rules on this

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EX LGV & B+E instructor


PersonOpensauce
28/1/2017 at 6:58pm
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DSVA website seems only concerned with mot's, driving tests, training & instruction. There is nothing about plating of trailers or caravans that are not subject to registration & mot testing.


PersonROG.
28/1/2017 at 7:01pm
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DVSA now incorporate the old VOSA

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EX LGV & B+E instructor


Personlisterdiesel
05/2/2017 at 11:49am
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Quote: Originally posted by ROG. on 28/1/2017
ONLY the trailer manufacturer can re plate a trailer by law

Home made plates have no legal standing = 100% fact

If no plate on the trailer then the total of the tyre load ratings will be deemed in law as the MAM

Post last edited on 28/01/2017 12:31:25


I don't feel that this is correct information.

Home or self-build trailers were still required to have a data plate, and since Oct 2012 they are required if you build any trailer which has to be checked under IVA regulations.

Our six-wheel trailer was built before October 2012 but we still have a plate on it giving maximum all-up weight and individual axle max weights.

Home-made plates are fine as long as they are clearly readable and contain data relevant to the trailer, including year of manufacture.

We have another trailer being built now that will go through IVA later this year.

Peter


PersonOpensauce
05/2/2017 at 2:32pm
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I think it's a grey area, open to interpretation. Start from the position that we have no registration & MoTs for caravans & reasonably sized trailers downwards. So as no yeah or neigh at testing station we are down to enterpretation of vague rules.

Then we come to reasons for downplating. In the op's case there is no need to downplate. The only obvious reason for down plating would be to get car/trailer combined MaM to below 3.5tonnes to allow driving on just B licence.

So if law is as Rog states & home made plate cannot be used any enforcement would go on tyre load rating which may cause driver to be unlicenced when plate on trailer comes below the 3.5t combined MaM.

I'm guessing grey area & provided plate looked ok, screwed on etc & make of trailer was not obvious, foreign or whatever with no info available about specific make/model then ok.



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