Towing two trailers?

[Tim M]

Is it legal to tow more than one trailer? I know farmers can, and I've seen circus companies with big horse boxes followed by burger wagons being towed by trucks but would it be legal for me to tow a small (empty) dinghy trailer behind a RIB trailer (with rib on it). It would be easy (and safe) to bolt a towball onto the rear bar on the rib trailer.....i think.

Failing that Im going to have to buy some roof bars and transport it on the roof which seems more preferable but is going to exceed the weight limit of the roofbars. (Failing that Im going to have to make 3x250 mile journeys.)

[ian parkes]

isn't it possible put the small trailer on top of the rib with some padding etc to protect the rib .

Iam pretty certain tandem trailers are not allowed .

[Tim M]

I pondered on that but the console and seating will get in the way. I recon the trailer weighs between 80 and 100kg so it wouldnt be too over the top to put it on the roof I suppose.

[BogMonster]

Reversing could be interesting...

Insurance cover might be worth checking too?

[Nos4r2]

Towing 2 trailers is only permitted if the tow vehicle is a goods vehicle registered with DVLA as a Showman's Vehicle which is a taxation class. You'd have to show them that you were a circus/fairground owner/operator. AFAIK it used to only be permitted at certain times and days even with the showman's plate-though that may have changed.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)

"showman's goods vehicle" means a showman's vehicle which—
(a) is a goods vehicle, and
(b) is permanently fitted with a living van or some other special type of body or superstructure forming part of the equipment of the show of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under this Act,
"showman's vehicle" means a vehicle—
(a) registered under this Act in the name of a person following the business of a travelling showman, and
(b) used solely by him for the purposes of his business and for no other purpose,

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Towing 2 trailers is only permitted if the tow vehicle is a goods vehicle registered with DVLA as a Showman's Vehicle which is a taxation class. You'd have to show them that you were a circus/fairground owner/operator. AFAIK it used to only be permitted at certain times and days even with the showman's plate-though that may have changed.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22)

"showman's goods vehicle" means a showman's vehicle which—
(a) is a goods vehicle, and
(b) is permanently fitted with a living van or some other special type of body or superstructure forming part of the equipment of the show of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under this Act,
"showman's vehicle" means a vehicle—
(a) registered under this Act in the name of a person following the business of a travelling showman, and
(b) used solely by him for the purposes of his business and for no other purpose,

Isn't that some sort of positive Discrimination.

[Tim M]

Roofbars it is. I can't belive how expensive they are; £139 for a set of Thule ones!

[Tim M]

This is what I was thinking of. Doesn't look too safe to me:

[Polwart]

tim,

you can get "bunk bed" style trailers which will take a rib on the bottom and sailing dinghy on top. We used to do this with a sailing club rib - with console etc some time ago. For the cost of roof bars - which you are then going to overload you could probably modify the trailer to take the dinghy trailer on supports that hold it clear of the rib underneath.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

This is what I was thinking of. Doesn't look too safe to me:

It's actually not too bad-same principle as an Australian road train but shorter.