Trailer upgrade query

Neil Harvey · 14 November 2008, 17:07

Hi All,

I need some advice.

If I have a single axle trailer rated to 1800kgs, and add another braked axle rated to 1800kg, can I legally use it to tow more than 1800kgs? Or is there more to it than that... I would guess chassis issues etc, but I'd only be looking for maybe 2400kg, not the 3500 max gross weight.

Thanks in advance

Ian Sharlot · 14 November 2008, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

Hi All,

I need some advice.

If I have a single axle trailer rated to 1800kgs, and add another braked axle rated to 1800kg, can I legally use it to tow more than 1800kgs? Or is there more to it than that... I would guess chassis issues etc, but I'd only be looking for maybe 2400kg, not the 3500 max gross weight.

Thanks in advance

You will struggle to get away with more than 1800kg, It is rated on all the running gear, i.e. hitch, wheels,tyres etc but at the end of the day, if you get pulled over and it is platted for 1800kg gross, then that will be it's max weight.

Top banana · 14 November 2008, 17:53

Neil, going off subject slightly. Simon B on another thread is maybe looking for a 1800kg single axle trailer, might be worth a pm.

BruceB · 14 November 2008, 21:00

I reckon you would need to ask the manufacturer and if they agree get a new plate for the new weight from them.
As said above it doesn't matter how strong the trailer is you can only carry the gross weight stamped on the trailer Ident plate.

Nasher · 14 November 2008, 22:12

The plate on my Roller Coaster trailer was attached to the hitch sub-assembly, which was knackered, and only gave the rating for the hitch itself.

I changed the hitch for a higher rated one at the same time as I changed the single axle for a pair of 1800s, exactly as Neil wants to do.

The new hitch is also only marked with its own rating, so my trailer is is not marked up properly at all.
I know this is wrong, but as a bitsa I presume I'd have to go through some long winded process to get it stamped up, or can I do it myself based on the axle and hitch ratings?
Note the frame, axles and hitch are all from different manufacturers.
This may be the answer to what Neil wants to do as well.

Nasher

Ian Sharlot · 15 November 2008, 06:42

I guess you could change the plate for one of these on ebay Item number: 200272706397, you would need check all the running gear to get the info to stamp the plate. what will then happen if the trailer is in a mojor accident and you tell the police that you changed the plate to increase the gross weight?

personaly, I would rather replace the trailer.

Neil Harvey · 15 November 2008, 10:59

Thanks folks,

these are the kinda points I was thinking about... think I'll avoid it as probably too much work involved anyway - it's something else I'll start and not finish

Simon B · 17 November 2008, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top banana

Neil, going off subject slightly. Simon B on another thread is maybe looking for a 1800kg single axle trailer, might be worth a pm.

Thanks for thinking of me Top Banana, it's a grant funded package we are working on that we may not be able to put together for a while.

Simon B · 17 November 2008, 13:48

We had a similar issue to the hitch being changed scenario. I was given a contact at the Department of transport (sorry lost it now) and spoke to a bloke who explained it all to me, very useful. He said basically everything should have it's own plate; hitch, axle and trailer. If you change or uprate anything it still is only rated as an assembly to the lowest rated part i.e. hitch 2000kgs trailer 1500kgs axle 1300kgs you only have a 1300kgs trailer.

He also said even if the load you are carrying is below 750kgs but trailer is rated above this everything must still work or it's illegal, so if the brakes arent working in this way of use you'd still get done.