GBMUD Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I know there are some trailer and towing experts on here: Following on from a recent towing related disaster, I am looking for a new trailer for my day to day occasional towing needs - collecting firewood, visiting the tip/recycling centre and the like. With an eye to the future I am looking at a lightweight trailer with a MGW of 2000kg which I can legally tow with a Freelander or a small camper van and possibly use to collect building materials. The trouble here is that the trailer I have in mind is 5' 5.75" wide, and occasionally I have to tow a load 6' wide. Is there a maximum permissible overhang from the side of a trailer? I know it is only 3" either side but I would prefer to be 100% legal. The maximum permissible width for a trailer towed by a car is 7' 6", is it likely that one can legally overhang the sides to a maximum overall width of 7' 6"? NTTA only mentions rear overhangs. TIA Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I would personally get the overhang equal on both sides, and fit some kind of warning marker to the corners to highlight the overhangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Maximum Trailer Dimensions Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) for a four or more wheeled trailer. 7 meters or 12 meters if towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW. Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 meters. Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 meters. Marking of rear overhang: Between 1 metre and 2 metres, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar. Between 2 metres and 3.05 metres, a marker board as defined in the regulations must be fitted and must be illuminated at night. If the overhang exceeds 3.05 metres, the police must be notified before commencing the journey. "Long Vehicle" marker plate Not a legal requirement, though for longer combinations, particularly where the towing vehicle is over 7500kg gross weight, it is advisable to fit a plate in the interests of safety. Details can be found in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, Schedule 18. Width 2.3 meters or 2.55 metersfor a trailer towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW. Loads must not project more than 305 mm either side of the trailer. Loads over 2.9 metres in width are classed as abnormal loads, and the police must be notified before commencing a journey. Height no limit stated. Recommended maximum height 3m or 1.7 x wheel track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share Posted February 10, 2010 Loads must not project more than 305 mm either side of the trailer. Thanks Tony. May I ask where you copied () that from? I assume it was a reliable source? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazelle Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Thanks Tony. May I ask where you copied () that from? I assume it was a reliable source? Chris http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm Stuck it into google and voila! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share Posted February 10, 2010 http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm Stuck it into google and voila! Voila indeed! I managed to read the NTTA page - and even linked to it - but still missed that bit! Dur. Thanks chaps. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 What he said ^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Regularly carry 6 big bales on my 12' x 6'10" trailer. They are each 4' wide so I have a load of 8 ft width with an overhand each side of about 7". What strikes me is that I really need mirror extensions! I have often wondered just how legal this load might be but seems everyone round here does it without any hassle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Regularly carry 6 big bales on my 12' x 6'10" trailer. They are each 4' wide so I have a load of 8 ft width with an overhang each side of about 7". What strikes me is that I really need mirror extensions! I have often wondered just how legal this load might be but seems everyone round here does it without any hassle. Loads must not project more than 305 mm either side of the trailer. 305 mm is 12", which is why you have no hassle (and probably no cyclists in the bale-moving season) :-) Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSN Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 My Dad used to own a sailing boat called an E-boat which was 2.8m wide at largest point and we used to tow that behind a 4WD and even the car once. I guess it was probably still legal as the trailer was thinner so the wide parts of the boat were classed as overhangs. looks like it was pretty close to needing a Police escort though and we always just scraped through the road works without a phone call as the limit there was 9ft6 and we were basically 9ft. Was a great little racing boat but very odd as 9ft wide but only 21ft long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share Posted February 10, 2010 Was a great little racing boat but very odd as 9ft wide but only 21ft long! Almost a coracle! OF, you can tow what you like, you are a farmer! And you must drag the hedges both sides up your lane! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrfarmer Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Almost a coracle! OF, you can tow what you like, you are a farmer! And you must drag the hedges both sides up your lane! Chris my combine is 10"6 wide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I shouldn't worry about Police escourts. They're not even interested in the 450 tonne loads we have to check that go up and down the country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 most wide loads can now use their own or contracted escort vehicles, a mate carries various size boats all over UK/Europe 7 they have various 'pilot/escort' vehicles on contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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