|
||
|
13th August 2019, 21:06 | #31 |
Posted a thing or two
75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Devon
Posts: 1,986
Thanks: 1,287
Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts
|
Is that a Carina towcar by any chance Mike ?
__________________
|
13th August 2019, 21:59 | #32 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11,547
Thanks: 3,470
Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts
|
Yes - well spotted Paul. I had two as company cars, and very good they were too - big and economical.
Just about everyone was using Ford Transits to carry their cars at the time but our company cars were replaced every two years and were fully insured for towing trailers so it was daft to spend money on anything else. If you look behind the trailer in the first photo there is a Scimitar (a rare duotone) not mine although I did own one back in the day. . Last edited by Mike Noc; 14th August 2019 at 11:37.. |
14th August 2019, 07:54 | #33 |
Posted a thing or two
75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Devon
Posts: 1,986
Thanks: 1,287
Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts
|
I wondered if that was a Scimitar Mike, the curve of the rear side window was the clue, but I'd not noticed the two-tone (which is just visible if you enlarge it )
Regarding axle weights, nowadays it appears to be appropriate tyres that limit their capacity. The axles on my 3500kg gross transporter look like they could carry a truck (massively thick square tube) but each one is rated at 1800kg due to the 8-ply tyres taking 900kg each. Hence being twin axle (4 x 900kg giving 3600kg limit) they are always working below their maximum rated capacity....
__________________
|
14th August 2019, 11:58 | #34 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11,547
Thanks: 3,470
Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts
|
I did go on to buy and run a twin axle professionally built trailer, but these days that would be over the weight limit for the cars I was using to tow it, and even a flatbed Transit would probably struggle to legally carry a large car under the current regs.
|
14th August 2019, 14:52 | #35 |
Posted a thing or two
MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 1,255
Thanks: 176
Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts
|
Talking about overweight vehicles
Round these quiet parts (for about 5 minutes at 3.30 am ), I have noticed that VOSA is stopping dangerously overloaded vehicles / un-safe trucks at the Dartford crossings (congestion causing zone ).
Talking to the highways people whilst my bike is transported via the crossings, it comes as a shock to some of our eastern european neighbours (mostly seems to be them being stopped here from my experience) that they have overweight vehicles. Mercedes van (the only vehicle of choice, it seems) with loads of luggage, 5-6 people on board, plus parcels to send home and of course the obligatory large twin axle trailer (with a different number plate on and often trailer board lights not working) with a large 4 x 4 being transported. That little lot makes them well overweight, so they have to get rid of the excess weight, fix the issues and pay the fines before allowed back on their way. They also get fined for not having a tacho (as they are delivering parcels). VOSA are immobilising the vehicles to ensure this. Some think that simply having their rolled up bank notes and dispensing cash is the solution to everything! Good on VOSA. Finally. Same happening to dangerous foreign trucks. One had noisy brakes on the trailer, so he thought it prudent to remove the shoes. When he got clamped and the wads of notes didn't get him waived swiftly through, he was most miffed. VOSA were busy with other things for a few hours after fixing the trailer and other issues (and paying the fines), so he was quite late and irate. |
14th August 2019, 15:06 | #36 |
This is my second home
MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 5,493
Thanks: 372
Thanked 647 Times in 534 Posts
|
https://mobile.twitter.com/DVSAgovuk
Have a look on this account, you don't need an account to view it. There's some eye openers on there |
14th August 2019, 16:01 | #37 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 11,392
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts
|
If your remark about’different numberplate’ on the trailer, is made to make out that it is illegal in some way, you are incorrect. My son lives and works in Germany, and he told me that trailers have to have a mot and insurance, and a numberplate. This numberplate is different to the plate on the car he owns.So having a diff numberplate is legal on the continent. Having said that, I am very happy that DVLA are catching the overweight lorries and vans. About time too.
__________________
Great Barr, Birmingham. Last edited by bl52krz; 14th August 2019 at 16:03.. |
14th August 2019, 21:05 | #38 |
I really should get out more.......
MGTF, MGZT, Range Rover Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 2,803
Thanks: 395
Thanked 633 Times in 446 Posts
|
It does make me wonder if my trailer is legal. Home made, by an aircraft engineer I might add. Outstanding quality but not plated in any way. Leaf spring suspension, braked and 165/13 car tyres at 40psi when fully loaded at 1 tonne. That’s as much as I dare carry. Mostly though it’s pieces of furniture or rubbish to the tip.
__________________
MG TF 135, MG ZT, Range Rover P38 |
14th August 2019, 22:36 | #39 |
Posted a thing or two
75 Conn CDT Tourer, 75 Conn SE V6, 75 Conn V6, 75 Conn CDTi Tourer, ZS 180 Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Devon
Posts: 1,986
Thanks: 1,287
Thanked 963 Times in 534 Posts
|
It is great that the authorities are taking an interest in overloaded and unsafe vehicles - I see far too many Transit / Sprinter type beavertail transporters carrying cars which I know take them well beyond their 3500kg gross weight limit
I've been stopped by VOSA/DVSA on three occasions and always found them to be very reasonable and pleasant to deal with....but maybe that's because they are always surprised to find I'm using a calibrated tachograph and following the necessary rules regarding drivers hours and trailer weights Victorgte - I'm not too sure on the rules about homebuilt trailers, but both the tyres and hitch should have a load rating figure on them, so as long as you don't go over the lower of the two, or your cars maximum towing weight, I'd suggest you should be safe ?
__________________
|
15th August 2019, 08:45 | #40 |
I really should get out more.......
MGTF, MGZT, Range Rover Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 2,803
Thanks: 395
Thanked 633 Times in 446 Posts
|
Interesting that you use a tachograph? Do you run beyond 3.5 tons or does your towing vehicle have that capability therefore had to have one fitted when new? I ask because the guys I know in your field deliberately stay below 3.5 to avoid tacho use.
__________________
MG TF 135, MG ZT, Range Rover P38 |
|
|