Hello, I'm about to have a trailer built for me at workshop where I live (the UAE), but I plan to bring it back to the UK with me one day. Now, the laws here are almost non-existent for such things, but it will have fully functioning lights, a lit number plate holder, 50mm Bradley double lock hitch plus a few other bits. All in, it should weigh around 400~500kgs when built, so circa 750~850 fully laden with two bikes and stuff. Does anybody know what the legal requirements for such a trailer in the UK are? I expect it'll need lights etc, but what about brakes, or the usual EU "built in accordance with blah blah blah regulation.." Also, whats the thoughts on galvanizing or powder coating? Thanks in advance.
id say galvanize then powder coat...the weather here will eat it alive...especially if your by the sea..
I didn't know you could do that.. I'll ask them about that as they only gave me a "one or the other option". Thanks.
There is some basic information here, https://assets.publishing.service.g...558141/towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van.pdfbut I need a little more time to find up to date requirements as I know the 7 pin connector has now been superceded. Andy
Im sure you can do both....you can definately do a 2 pac powder coat...my ktm has an undercoat weather proof coating and a top coat...
Not sure about the construction rules, but don’t under estimate the weight of a couple of bikes and “stuff”. Most bike weights are dry, with no fuel, oil, coolant, battery etc. The kerb weight can be 20kg higher, easily. 350kg for a couple of bikes and stuff, sounds light to me. In a Ducati sense at least. Check also the towing capacity of whatever you’re using to pull it is ok. The trailer may need to be “plated”, ie nett weight and maximum gross capacity? Gross weight of trailer and/or towing capacity of you’re vehicle can dictate wether you need to have it braked.
Thanks guys, great info there and clearly a lot more to it than meets the eye! I had allowed a fully loaded trailer weight of around 350kgs, with each bike around 170kgs, but I did forget that the weights are dry. It's probably closer to 400kgs I think taking fuel etc in to account. The gross weight would be close to 1 ton, so I would need it to be modified in the UK to have brakes. We have a 2.5 Petrol CX5 so can easily tow this weight. I think my bigger issue is getting the trailer with a chassis plate out here. The rules and laws just don't exist for such things. So to have a trailer made and then shipped back to the UK, then modified and somehow get a chassis plate seems now like a bit of a futile exercise. Think I'll modify my thoughts...
Its listed on the government web site here is the link: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car To sum it up: Your car in the UK will tell you in the owners hand book or VIN plate what it's maximum tow weight is. The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres. This length does not include the A-frame. You may also fall under the last page of the link trailers from America as its normally American parts in the middle east, there is a link about the use of them. As for your export I think you will be able to send it cargo with no restrictions that you have when exporting a motor vehicle, this is due to it not having a ident plate and registration (I am good at that bit as I have exported my HD from Saudi a few months ago) Trailers for cars in the UK don't need an MOT or log book its up to the user to make sure they are fit for purpose.
