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Subject Topic: trailers and France
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Personsawnee
04/4/2013 at 7:40pm
 Location: Kent
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I am looking for a bit of advice and can't seem to find any answers so any help appreciated
I am looking to get a second hand trailer to carry the tent and other bits, I have hopes of going camping in Normandy if we do get a summer so onto the questions....
What are the regulations for a small trailer over the channel?
I have a Ford Cmax 2,0 diesel and the trailers I have been looking at are 4x3 ft as a rough size

-------------
2 kids,mad dog, a very patient wife and a big red tent all pulled along by a Ford Cmax


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PersonOpensauce
04/4/2013 at 7:56pm
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UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.


Personsawnee
04/4/2013 at 8:26pm
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It seems to me that anything with wheels and lights is classed as a trailer in the UK and some of them I wouldn't want to drag to the dump let alone Europe.
To take a trailer to France does the trailer need to have a vin plate? Or are there any other laws to stick to?

-------------
2 kids,mad dog, a very patient wife and a big red tent all pulled along by a Ford Cmax


PersonSeptic
04/4/2013 at 9:01pm
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We bought a secondhand trailer called a Noval Portaflot, which is a French make. It came with high side extensions. The only downside is it doesn't have a hardtop. We got bars to go over the top and carry 4 bikes. It has a load limit of over 500 kgs - 600 including the trailer. It is plated with tyre pressures/ speed limits/ load limits.

It has been a really good buy, we took it to France behind a Fiesta a few years ago and are taking it back this year behind a self-build motorhome.

We're touring this time and I'm a bit worried about security if we are on sites in towns but I've bought a couple of motorbike chains from Aldi to lock it up with.

-------------
Everything comes to he who waits


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PersonFrancais
04/4/2013 at 9:20pm
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Yep, we tow our icle Trailer down to the South of France each year, so long as your Trailer is sound all will be OK.

Photo in gallery.


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Personsawnee
05/4/2013 at 8:12am
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That's great guys, thanks for your help in clearing that up.
I have my eye on an Erde (made in France so can't see any problems with this one)
Also a Brenderup which looks a sturdier but more expensive option

Thanks again for your help

-------------
2 kids,mad dog, a very patient wife and a big red tent all pulled along by a Ford Cmax


Personlidds0
05/4/2013 at 1:57pm
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Quote: Originally posted by sawnee on 04/4/2013

I have a Ford Cmax 2,0 diesel and the trailers I have been looking at are 4x3 ft as a rough size


Just check your gross train weight(GTW): combined weight of the towing vehicle and max towing capacity. If it's over 3500kgs then you'll have to restrict your speed, and this suggests that might be the case: gross vehicle weight 2050 and max towing weight braked 1500 = gross train weight 3550 so puts you over the limit (if your car spec is the same as this example). Check under your bonnet and read weights off the plate, if unsure.

Towing speed limits in France..


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Personlidds0
05/4/2013 at 1:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/4/2013UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.


Not unless the gross train weight of the vehicle is under 3.5 tonne. Mad, I know!


PersonBERTIE
05/4/2013 at 9:18pm
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I believe but maybe wrong now as we haven't taken a trailer for a few years, but you need to carry a spare wheel for the trailer.


PersonFrogman14
06/4/2013 at 9:16am
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Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 05/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/4/2013UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.
Not unless the gross train weight of the vehicle is under 3.5 tonne. Mad, I know!


Trailer concerned is probably unbraked, therefore max towing cap probably around 750 kg so under 3500 kg so welcome to the open road, and 130 kph.

Think spare wheel is required on motorways, which at 130kph for hrs
makes a lot of sense.


Ps Still not allowed in 3 rd lane of motorway as per UK if towing anything.

FM

Post last edited on 06/04/2013 09:22:06


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PersonMrDasherD
06/4/2013 at 9:19am
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..... and how many warning triangles!!?

-------------
Mart
(°\=/°)


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Persongreenhill
06/4/2013 at 9:48am
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Re gross train weight newbies just be aware it's not the weight of your actual gtw but the total of the possible maximum for your combination. That said for 1500 you're looking at a loaded caravan for that weight and unlikely to get a trailer with that sort of limit for just putting camping gear in.

-------------
From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!


Personold chap
06/4/2013 at 11:28am
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Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 06/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 05/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/4/2013UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.
Not unless the gross train weight of the vehicle is under 3.5 tonne. Mad, I know!

Trailer concerned is probably unbraked, therefore max towing cap probably around 750 kg so under 3500 kg so welcome to the open road, and 130 kph.

Think spare wheel is required on motorways, which at 130kph for hrs
makes a lot of sense.


Ps Still not allowed in 3 rd lane of motorway as per UK if towing anything.

FM

Post last edited on 06/04/2013 09:22:06


If your CAR has a PLATED gross train weight (GTW) over 3.5 tonn then if you are towing ANY SIZE trailer you are speed restricted to the lower speed limit.It does not matter whether your total outfits actual weight is under the GTW only that you are towing with a vehicle that has a GTW of 3.5 ton (3500 kg) that matters

conversely if your CARS gtw is less than 3500kg you can tow a trailer up to the cars maximum allowance at the same speed as a car with no trailer

all very French dont you Know????


Post last edited on 06/04/2013 11:34:13


Personlidds0
08/4/2013 at 10:57am
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Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 06/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 05/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/4/2013UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.
Not unless the gross train weight of the vehicle is under 3.5 tonne. Mad, I know!

Trailer concerned is probably unbraked, therefore max towing cap probably around 750 kg so under 3500 kg so welcome to the open road, and 130 kph.

Think spare wheel is required on motorways, which at 130kph for hrs
makes a lot of sense.


Ps Still not allowed in 3 rd lane of motorway as per UK if towing anything.

FM

Post last edited on 06/04/2013 09:22:06


The law has nothing to do with the weight of the trailer or whether it's braked or not, Frogman14, it's simply to do with the train weight of the towing vehicle (vehicle weight plus max towing capacity).


Personlidds0
08/4/2013 at 10:59am
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Quote: Originally posted by old chap on 06/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 06/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by lidds0 on 05/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 04/4/2013UK trailer as described is legal in France. Speed limits & autoroute tolls same as solo car.
Not unless the gross train weight of the vehicle is under 3.5 tonne. Mad, I know!
Trailer concerned is probably unbraked, therefore max towing cap probably around 750 kg so under 3500 kg so welcome to the open road, and 130 kph.

Think spare wheel is required on motorways, which at 130kph for hrs
makes a lot of sense.


Ps Still not allowed in 3 rd lane of motorway as per UK if towing anything.

FM

Post last edited on 06/04/2013 09:22:06


If your CAR has a PLATED gross train weight (GTW) over 3.5 tonn then if you are towing ANY SIZE trailer you are speed restricted to the lower speed limit.It does not matter whether your total outfits actual weight is under the GTW only that you are towing with a vehicle that has a GTW of 3.5 ton (3500 kg) that matters

conversely if your CARS gtw is less than 3500kg you can tow a trailer up to the cars maximum allowance at the same speed as a car with no trailer

all very French dont you Know????


Post last edited on 06/04/2013 11:34:13


Sorry, I missed this so basically just said the same thing!

This thread just goes to show there's still some confusion over legal towing speeds in France, don't you think?


Personmattsurf
08/4/2013 at 11:43am
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In terms of enforcement, it seems to be that the police are pragmatic - If you are towing a small trailer at 70mph it seems unlikely that you will be stopped (even if the GTW is over 3500kgs). If you are towing a large Van at 70mph there is a good chance that you will be stopped.

The rules are very confused and not well understood, even by the French Authorities.



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