Cornish Rattler Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Hi guys I have a small utility trailer with a body length of 6'4" and I need to collect 4x 9' planks would I get away with a 1'6" overhang at each end, what do you think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Maximum Trailer Dimensions Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar): 7.0m Width Maximum: 2.55m (was 2.3m up to 2010) Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar): 12m (min 4 wheels Width Maximum: 2.55m Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined: 18m Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer: 3.05m Marking of rear overhang Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar. Between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board as defined in the Regulations must be fitted and illuminated at night. If the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey. "Long Vehicle" Marker Plate: Not required for light trailers. These are a legal requirement only for trailers over 3500kg or where the towing vehicle is over 7500kg gross weight. When they are required, different plates are required depending on the length of the vehicle. Details can be found in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, Schedule 18. Loads must not project more than 305mm either side of the trailer, up to a maximum width of 2.9m. Loads over 2.9m in width are classed as abnormal loads and the police must be notified two days before a journey commences. Recommended maximum height: 3.0m high or 1.7 times the wheel track. (horizontal distance between centre lines of tyre treads). There is no legal requirement, but this is an accepted guideline. If however the height does exceed 3.0m then a notice giving the height details must be displayed in the cab of the towing vehicle. (Only buses are subject to a maximum height regulation). http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I'd have the overhang all at the back. No worries then about fouling the rear of the vehicle on a very tight turn or if you need to reverse. Arjan's numbers above suggest this is allowed and you are just at the point where a bit of a cloth marker is required - good practice anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Only problem with hanging it off the back is it will unbalance it, although I guess the planks will be pretty light so it probably won't matter that much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjan Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Balancing the trailer is a must. And putting up some markers announcing your overhang is wise. And a legal requirement in many cases on the Continent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Agree to balancing but it's less than a metre and only four planks so it would only take a bit of weight off the hitch (assuming a plank is a plank) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Rattler Posted October 7, 2016 Author Share Posted October 7, 2016 Cheer's guys for all this info, the trailer is pretty well balanced as the wheels are slightly set back from the centre so even when empty it always has nose weight so the planks shouldn't make much difference I just wasn't sure about the overhang side of things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Four normal planks (by which I assume you mean 1x6" or something) are unlikely to be a problem. For bigger loads, just make very sure you don't have negative noseweight. It can pop a ball hitch off, and can seriously unsettle the vehicle handling. The trailer really should be balanced with the recommended noseweight but as long as you understand the rules and how it affects the whole system, you can bend them sometimes and get away with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Just sit your least favourite child on the front of the trailer for balancing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 We used to stand on the drawbar of farm trailers when they were being towed slowly behind a tractor and not think twice about it. It was quite stupid really especially as we were teenagers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 A mate had a trailer come off his 110 and kill someone. ... it was badly loaded ..... He only just escaped prison and looking his house..... Just a cautionary tale.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 A bag or two of sand normally works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Rattler Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Normally I would have carried them on the roof of the 90 but I have removed the lash down eyes from the sides of the 90 so the trailer will have to do for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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