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17/1/2018 at 11:57am
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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UK Towing states:
Loading your trailer or caravan is critical to safe driving check your towing weights and capacity for your vehicle. Getting this wrong can cost you dearly.
You can buy towing scales which measure the total weight of your towed load to make sure that it doesn't exceed the capacity of your vehicle but equally important is to make sure that your load is spread evenly.
The following was submitted to CLIC by Ian Willis in answer to an inquiry about the 85% beginners towing rule. It was generally thought within CLIC, that Ian's words helped to clarify the situation as regards to towing in Great Britain. 85% (or even 100%) rules are not "rules" but guidelines which have no substance in law. They are designed to ensure that the outfit will be stable (all other factors being equal). Exceeding this figure, whilst not illegal in itself, COULD lead to prosecution if the driver was stopped because of (say) instability or after an accident as there is a requirement on the driver to ensure the safety of his vehicle in the Construction and Use Regulations. Usually a manufacturer will quote a tow weight which is far greater than the mass of the vehicle. Generally this is based on the total train weight (car + caravan) which can be started on a 12% gradient. Where this weight (or any other e.g. nose weight) is given as lower by the manufacturer the user ignores it at his peril. Insurance could well be void after an accident - worse, the illegal combination could cause the accident if the vehicle is unable to handle it.
The big problem we have in the UK is the traffic density, especially on Motorways, which has caravans in close proximity to both cars and large goods vehicles at speed. The vortices encountered can cause trailers to wander if not loaded correctly and matched to the towing vehicle.
A couple of things to note:
1. The recommendation for 'beginners' to adhere to the 85% rec
2. The basis of the manufacturer's rec figs.
Legally, you should be aware of HM Gov Regs, which makes no ref to the 85%.
Just be aware of the difference between an 'invented' 85% (however sensible this may appear to be), and the legal requirement(s).
What is probably far more important than the 85% 'concept' is the care you should take to load your trailer/caravan correctly ... not only to stay within the manufacturer's quoted nose weight, but also to balance your rig, and to ensure even loading ... far too many 'towers' do not balance the weight through each wheel ... to have a considerably higher load through one wheel is a recipe for all sorts of towing problems. IMHO.
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