Shiny Silver
Member Since: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Cambs
Posts: 168
  
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I currently tow a 2300mm wide TEC single axle van, which is nearly 5 year old now. We have been looking for a replacement with a bit more room.
With a D3 maximum tow weight of 3500kg, a twin axle would be no problem. However the van we like the look of is 2500mm wide and about 1900kg.
I recall that there is some law about towing vehicle weights with respect to trailer width. I think 2500mm width requires over 3500kg towing vehicle, (bigger than a Standard Transit?)
We see plenty of Hobbys, or other trailers pulled by Discos, LC, standard Transits, etc.. but aren't sure on the law. Anybody able to clarify this,
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 Sun Jun 22 2008 8:15pm |
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tintenter
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: Oldham
Posts: 739
 
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Maximum sizes for towing
Towing vehicle under 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar)
7.0 metres
Maximum width
2.3 metres
Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar)
12 metres if at least 4 wheels
Maximum width
2.55 metres
Length of towing vehicle & trailer combined
18 metres
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer
3.05 metres
Further information from: National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA)
www.ntta.co.uk/law/
taken from http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html Tintenter
Bonatti Grey Discovery 3 HSE
permagrin now installed
Now with hidden winch, 2nd Battery, LED lights all round(including fogs and turn lights) extra connection for brake lights in rear clusters, Webasto FBH Timer, Anderson plug to rear,Verdestiens for day to day and MTR's for when the going get tough, reversing camera and Multimedia interface, BAS'd, D3 winch Trained
Semper in excretum, sole profundum moveat.
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| Sun Jun 22 2008 9:22pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Sitting pensively in front of the mouse trap looking at the cheese
Posts: 18155
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tintenter wrote:
taken from http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html
And they must have a cravaners forum their surely 
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| Sun Jun 22 2008 9:23pm |
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Ocsid
Member Since: 29 Nov 2005
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 200
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Without going and looking up the specific law I know that you are right in that the max width you are permitted to tow on a car licence is 2.3m . Also with the Discos max weight you are limited to 2.3 m, even if you hold the right licence.
We also see a community of drivers towing vans over 2.3 m but somebody is turning a blind eye to them.
Your Disco insurance will be at risk towing an illegal van.
Well I have been beaten by others with more detail
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| Sun Jun 22 2008 9:25pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Sitting pensively in front of the mouse trap looking at the cheese
Posts: 18155
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If you tow something that big... why not just get a hotel room ? 
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| Sun Jun 22 2008 9:28pm |
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MX
Member Since: 04 Mar 2006
Location: Capital of Culture
Posts: 439
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Can anyone tell me why our continental cousins can come over here with their twin axle foreign 2.5m wide vans towed by D2, D3 etc and face absolutely no comeback?
If there is legislation it should be applied consistently - to all drivers, be they British or otherwise. D3 05 SE (old one)
RRS 08 SE (new one)
formerly mxgeldar7
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| Sun Jun 22 2008 9:29pm |
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robsmith
Member Since: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 1623
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Its cops ect. turning a blind eye. The law about width/length/weight applies to all drivers in the UK. I expect the cops ignore over-width as its hard to see at a glance the difference between 2.3m and 2.4m when doing 70 on the motorway and the agro of pulling a trailer that's 2.29m wide is beyond belief. Cops are far more interested in getting the  who use the outside lane of 3/4 lane motorways while towing as they understand tha paperwork far better....... Rob Smith
Silver rools OK
I'll be attending CONVOY for HEROES. Will you?
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 7:43am |
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Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Clymping, Sussex
Posts: 6594
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simon wrote:tintenter wrote:
taken from http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html
And they must have a cravaners forum their surely
Yeah but they are anti 4x4, especially LRs, they also don't like dogs or kids and quite possibly themselves! DS3 TDV6 HSE
Silver with Alpacca (old one)
DS3 TDV6 HSE
Silver with Alpacca (new one)
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 8:14am |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 5074
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and dont forget, a lot of these wider 'vans are being pulled around by our Travelling/Tarmacing/Tree felling friends. 
Al TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV, BAS Electrickery - and obligatory D3 sticker
Old - TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
If you think you are too small to make a difference - you've never shared a bedroom with a mosquito
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 9:05am |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Sitting pensively in front of the mouse trap looking at the cheese
Posts: 18155
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Pelyma wrote:simon wrote:tintenter wrote:
taken from http://www.practicalcaravan.com/legal/index.html
And they must have a cravaners forum their surely
Yeah but they are anti 4x4, especially LRs, they also don't like dogs or kids and quite possibly themselves!
 that explains a lot mate
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 9:55am |
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DSL
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Heading here ^^^^ :)
Posts: 24237
 
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simon wrote:If you tow something that big... why not just get a hotel room ?
Wot U got against caravaners Simon??? 
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 10:04am |
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Shiny Silver
Member Since: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Cambs
Posts: 168
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Thanks for the replies guys.
The cops turn a blind eye for now, but may be in the future they may have a crackdown and then you're left with a van that nobody would buy later.
The biggest problem is insurance, if it's against the law the insurance might not pay out in the event of an accident.
So not wortth the risk then.
And to answer Simon's question re hotel,....
because the bbq would set of the fire alarms!! 
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 9:32pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Sitting pensively in front of the mouse trap looking at the cheese
Posts: 18155
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Shiny Silver wrote:
And to answer Simon's question re hotel,....
because the bbq would set of the fire alarms!!
Ah... I hear you
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| Mon Jun 23 2008 10:29pm |
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Shiny Silver
Member Since: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Cambs
Posts: 168
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Simon, I thought you might be losing your spirit for adventure for a moment there, and could start questioning the need for off roading when tarmac is available!!
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| Tue Jun 24 2008 11:11pm |
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