Hi I have a 5t Mercedes sprinter that has a GVW of 5000kg and load capacity of 2500kg It has a GTW of 7000kg Meaning 2000kg for trailer I have a 3.5t trailer that weighs 800kg empty Going by the weights above does that mean I can only put 1200kg on the trailer? Or if the van is not fully loaded can I put the spare weight capacity on the trailer so long as I don’t exceed the GTW? Regards
Hi This is a very Dark area and is usually down to Interpretation unfortunately there are some police forces that would not let you pull your trailer with the van as they would try to prosecute you for intent as you are towing a trailer that has an higher gross weight than the weight the tow vehicle can tow however this will not stand if it goes to court. The first Explanation that you gave is the best way to work you can tow 2000kg as this is the difference between you GTW and GVW. I understand your idea of your vehicle only loaded to 3500kg then tow 3500kg keeping below your 7000kg GTW It could be another way the laws could be interpreted but I don't think this would stand up if there is an accident. I tend to work from the V5 as most vehicles have a Max towing weight in the dimensions on a V5. I would not tow more than the weight stated on the V5 as this has been known to be different to the difference between the GTW and GVW on a vehicle. I know that I have not given a definite answer but there are many times I have spoken to Different agencies and been given many different answers. I personally have similar issues as I don't tow many heavy loads I use economical family sized cars for moving empty trailers this is regular but only a small fraction of the miles I drive. It would be uneconomical driving around in a large pickup or commercial vehicle for towing weights that I don't tow. I only have vehicles with Towing capacity over 1500kg but I tow trailers plated over this weight but don't exceed the weight on the logbook. My current car is one of the nightmares as when purchased it was advertised 1600kg towing capacity but the weight plate on the vehicle has a difference of 1500 between the GTW and GVW I do try to avoid weights over 1500kg but would be happy to tow up to 1600kg as this is shown on the logbook. If I am towing between 1500 and 1600kg I avoid having weight in the car to keep the GTW below the plated weight. I have been alright for 30+ years keeping to the plated weights then since the V5 started to publish towing weights early 2000's I have stuck to them. Also with your combination please look into the following if you have not already. Driving licence Do you have the licence for over 3500kg tow vehicle as in 1991 when towing was restricted (that has now been revoked) the standard licence reduced the weight of vehicles you could drive from 7.5 tonne to 3500kg you may have an older licence or took further tests but I need to make you aware. Tacho With the weights you are mentioning you may need to operate a Tacho or even an operators licence if used for business. Hope this helps Towing and trailers ltd www.towingandtrailers.com
Hi
I have a 5t Mercedes sprinter that has a GVW of 5000kg and load capacity of 2500kg
It has a GTW of 7000kg
Meaning 2000kg for trailer
I have a 3.5t trailer that weighs 800kg empty
Going by the weights above does that mean I can only put 1200kg on the trailer? Or if the van is not fully loaded can I put the spare weight capacity on the trailer so long as I don’t exceed the GTW?
Regards
Hi
This is a very Dark area and is usually down to Interpretation unfortunately there are some police forces that would not let you pull your trailer with the van as they would try to prosecute you for intent as you are towing a trailer that has an higher gross weight than the weight the tow vehicle can tow however this will not stand if it goes to court.
The first Explanation that you gave is the best way to work you can tow 2000kg as this is the difference between you GTW and GVW.
I understand your idea of your vehicle only loaded to 3500kg then tow 3500kg keeping below your 7000kg GTW It could be another way the laws could be interpreted but I don't think this would stand up if there is an accident.
I tend to work from the V5 as most vehicles have a Max towing weight in the dimensions on a V5. I would not tow more than the weight stated on the V5 as this has been known to be different to the difference between the GTW and GVW on a vehicle.
I know that I have not given a definite answer but there are many times I have spoken to Different agencies and been given many different answers.
I personally have similar issues as I don't tow many heavy loads I use economical family sized cars for moving empty trailers this is regular but only a small fraction of the miles I drive. It would be uneconomical driving around in a large pickup or commercial vehicle for towing weights that I don't tow. I only have vehicles with Towing capacity over 1500kg but I tow trailers plated over this weight but don't exceed the weight on the logbook.
My current car is one of the nightmares as when purchased it was advertised 1600kg towing capacity but the weight plate on the vehicle has a difference of 1500 between the GTW and GVW I do try to avoid weights over 1500kg but would be happy to tow up to 1600kg as this is shown on the logbook. If I am towing between 1500 and 1600kg I avoid having weight in the car to keep the GTW below the plated weight.
I have been alright for 30+ years keeping to the plated weights then since the V5 started to publish towing weights early 2000's I have stuck to them.
Also with your combination please look into the following if you have not already.
Driving licence
Do you have the licence for over 3500kg tow vehicle as in 1991 when towing was restricted (that has now been revoked) the standard licence reduced the weight of vehicles you could drive from 7.5 tonne to 3500kg
you may have an older licence or took further tests but I need to make you aware.
Tacho
With the weights you are mentioning you may need to operate a Tacho or even an operators licence if used for business.
Hope this helps
Towing and trailers ltd
www.towingandtrailers.com
@@TowingAndTrailersLtd
Thanks
Just checked V5c and it says Max braked trailer 2000kg
Which is unfortunately only 1200kg load I get put on trailer