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They can tow as many trailers as they want, and unless the law has changed since I did my CPC back in the early eighties, you will be thrilled to learn that also don`t have to have MOTs, or pay road tax, or have HGV licences,or adhere to any drivers hours regulations.

To cap it off they can also use red diesel.

Bet that makes you feel safer when you see them rumbling down the road, and gives you a warm feeling when you are paying over a pound a litre for your diesel.

Of course, they will pay tax on all their takings........................ 

On the M6 yesterday I saw a saloon car towing two camping trailers> Is this legal

On the M6 yesterday I saw a saloon car towing two camping trailers> Is this legal

The short answer is no it is not

Quote: Originally posted by Angus1215 on 13/8/2009

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They can tow as many trailers as they want, and unless the law has changed since I did my CPC back in the early eighties, you will be thrilled to learn that also don`t have to have MOTs, or pay road tax, or have HGV licences,or adhere to any drivers hours regulations.

To cap it off they can also use red diesel.

Bet that makes you feel safer when you see them rumbling down the road, and gives you a warm feeling when you are paying over a pound a litre for your diesel.

Of course, they will pay tax on all their takings........................ 

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When I was watching 'Traffic Cops' they nicked someone who had this setup... it was because they broke the law on the total length allowed?

It gets complicated Markfree, and bear in mind its getting on for 30 years since I took the exam, but, as I recall there wasn`t a restriction as such on total lenght (they were exempt from Constructon and Use regs), but were restricted to one trailer of over 7 meters if they were towing two trailers, or no trailers over 7 meters if they were towing three or more.

I also gather they are exempt from any charges arising from the London Low Emission Zone, despite running vehicles dating from the neolithic era pumping out God knows what. Wonder how that benefits "the environment"??  

Quote: Originally posted by Angus1215 on 13/8/2009

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I also gather they are exempt from any charges arising from the London Low Emission Zone, despite running vehicles dating from the neolithic era pumping out God knows what. Wonder how that benefits "the environment"??

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One rule for one.....................

Madness, we had a whole road of them a little while ago as one broke down leaving a site down the road and the rest stopped behind him to see what was going on!  Chaos it was!

Ali

Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 13/8/2009

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I suppose they're allowed to use red diesel because they use their wagons to power the fairground itself once set up.Do you think that the police would let me do the same because im running an inverter for my caravan when thats set up? Nah didnt think so.

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Quote: Originally posted by Angus1215 on 13/8/2009

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Actually, I think the reason they get away with the red diesel scam is to do with something in the regulations about their vehicles being their "place of residence" or something similar (again, it was a long,long time ago).

Motorhome owners form an orderly queue here............

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Eventually found this which clarifies (???) the situation:-

8.6 Showman’s HGVA showman’s goods vehicle is a vehicle registered in the name of a person who follows the business of a travelling showman and which is used solely by him for that purpose, and which is a goods vehicle permanently fitted with a living van or some other special type of body or superstructure, forming part of the equipment of the show of the registered keeper.8.7 Showman’s Haulage VehicleThe term "Showman’s Haulage Vehicle" means a vehicle which is constructed and used on public roads solely for haulage and not for the purpose of carrying or having superimposed upon it any load except such as is necessary for its propulsion or equipment and which is registered in the name of a person following the business of a travelling showman and used solely by him for the purpose of his business and for no other purpose.8.8 Special TrailerApplies to showman’s rigid vehicles over 12,000kg pulling laden trailers over 4,000kg.

That is taken from the DVLA site. Splitting hairs do you think?

Quote: Originally posted by Angus1215 on 13/8/2009

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It gets complicated Markfree, and bear in mind its getting on for 30 years since I took the exam, but, as I recall there wasn`t a restriction as such on total lenght (they were exempt from Constructon and Use regs), but were restricted to one trailer of over 7 meters if they were towing two trailers, or no trailers over 7 meters if they were towing three or more.

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In the episode I watched the police officer measure the whole length of the vehicle train (not sure this is the right word for it) and told them they could not continue without shortening his train?

They then told the police office that no other police force had stopped him towing this train?

Mark.

Doesn`t bring anything to the table, Jeepster, as it doesn`t even mention `trailers` as distinct from `semi-trailers` which are an entirely different species.

As previously stated, I don`t think that they are (or weren`t) subject to many C&U regs, but under C&U regs the maximum length of  a vehicle pulling two draw-bar trailers (common showmans rig) is 25.9 metres, which I think is more than 84 feet.

I doubt many coppers have tape-measures that long with them!