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Re: Tow bar/Trailer for smart car
It's obviously not illegal to tow with a smart otherwise they would not be able to sell them as type specific, surely? but I think you have to be sensible on towing weights. Apparently, so I was told by a company today, a smart fortwo weighs in at approx 900kg, so you would have to keep to at least 50% below that (I think that is standard to most towing laws, but don't take my word for that). As I don't intend to do anything more than 150kg and tow a tiny motorcycle approved trailer (freewheel international) or carry a bicycle, surely that must be o.k. The company that I've bought the towbar from told me not to tow anything too heavy because it will rip the back end off...sounds logical!! also, the car will soon let you know, because it will simply not pull, let alone stop...shriek!!!!
Just had a look on the NTTA site and found this:Trailer Maximum Weights
Type 01: unbraked trailers - max. 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less.
Type 02: trailers on overrun brakes - max. 3500kg gross trailer weight
1982 regulations demand that all trailers, including unbraked ones, must be clearly marked with their maximum gross weight in kg. This may be checked at any time by the police at a weighbridge. Since 1st January 1997, all unbraked trailer plates must show the year of manufacture
and it still doesn't make any sense, hope I haven't just bought something that is totally illegal!! I did ask if it would invalidate my insurance when I bought it and they said no.....
It's obviously not illegal to tow with a smart otherwise they would not be able to sell them as type specific, surely? but I think you have to be sensible on towing weights. Apparently, so I was told by a company today, a smart fortwo weighs in at approx 900kg, so you would have to keep to at least 50% below that (I think that is standard to most towing laws, but don't take my word for that). As I don't intend to do anything more than 150kg and tow a tiny motorcycle approved trailer (freewheel international) or carry a bicycle, surely that must be o.k. The company that I've bought the towbar from told me not to tow anything too heavy because it will rip the back end off...sounds logical!! also, the car will soon let you know, because it will simply not pull, let alone stop...shriek!!!!
Just had a look on the NTTA site and found this:Trailer Maximum Weights
Type 01: unbraked trailers - max. 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less.
Type 02: trailers on overrun brakes - max. 3500kg gross trailer weight
1982 regulations demand that all trailers, including unbraked ones, must be clearly marked with their maximum gross weight in kg. This may be checked at any time by the police at a weighbridge. Since 1st January 1997, all unbraked trailer plates must show the year of manufacture
and it still doesn't make any sense, hope I haven't just bought something that is totally illegal!! I did ask if it would invalidate my insurance when I bought it and they said no.....
Wish I'd known all this before, I wouldn't be £300 short then...ah well, have to put it down to a very expensive learning curve.....
It's funny though, because I can legally tow with my Harley trike...?? very strange legislation.....
:goodlk:
Where is that picture of a can of worms....I'm actually starting to wonder if anything on my car is type approved....what if I put on any weight!
:thanx:
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