Towing???

[samcos]

Does any body know what the laws are for towing now days?

 

I want to tow my escort on a trailer, and was hoping to use my bmw e46 328 salon.

Is this legal, i have heard a few rumours but not sure whats true,

I understand there is a weight limit depending on what your towing with, is this right??

Also some one said to me your not aloud to tow with low profile tyres, is this right???

 

[spitbarnatt]

Firstly Sam if you're only 26 then your license will only allow you to tow up to 750kg or, and this is the little known bit, a trailer up to the weight of the unladen tow vehicle. This is providing you do not exceed a gross weight of 3500kg (tow car and trailer). There should be a plate under your bonnet giving the rated towing capacity of the car, or it will be in your handbook.

 

You should be able to tow on low profile tyres as long as the load on the tyres does not exceed their rating(written on the side of them) if you do manage to exceed the rated weight of the tyres then you have too much nose weight on your trailer which is just plain dangerous. Like when you see these idiots towing caravans with all their crap loaded at the front of the caravan making the car point at the sky. This makes the steering light and the front brakes less effective.

 

Someone will probably correct everything I've said now.

[countrybumpkin]

you do need to take a test to tow a trailer over 750kg, the towing capacity of your bmw will be on the chassis plate if it dosnt say i belive the maximum towing weight is 3/4 of the curb weight of the car

[Ken B]

Read the details here regarding licencing for towing trailers etc.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Dr ... =Motorists

 

Most cars since the 90's have a type approved towing capacity(MAM) usually stated in the handbook somewhere, and to exceed it you are technically breaking the law. (bit like HGV's carrying overweight etc)

[samcos]

thanks for your help guys, seems like im buggered unless i take the advanced test to enable me to tow something ill have to look into in the new year, as i want to do a few track days next year