Towing a trailer in Europe

[DDJC]

We have a car on a trailer behind the bus. The trailer is max 2000kg but we only go to about 1500 total weight.. The length is about 5m and our motorhome is about 7.3m. That makes the train length over 12m. Not commercial so doesn't need registering.

It seems that there are different laws on trailer signage in different countries in Europe. I seem to recall that in Spain, I need the yellow/red boards, but in France, they don't like them. Could easily be wrong.

Has anyone seen a definitive guide on what the local rozzers want to see on the back of the trailer so as to not give you a tug?

Cheers.

 

[Carpmart]

Working lights, vehicle number plate and a visible UK sticker is all you need if you’re not overhanging the rear of the trailer. You could put a red and white chevron board (with corner reflectors) on the back if you want to, but not legally required

 

[Brains]

We have a car on a trailer behind the bus. The trailer is max 2000kg but we only go to about 1500 total weight.. The length is about 5m and our motorhome is about 7.3m. That makes the train length over 12m. Not commercial so doesn't need registering.

It seems that there are different laws on trailer signage in different countries in Europe. I seem to recall that in Spain, I need the yellow/red boards, but in France, they don't like them. Could easily be wrong.

Has anyone seen a definitive guide on what the local rozzers want to see on the back of the trailer so as to not give you a tug?

Cheers.

As an FYI it's not the 'actual' weight that matters (as long as it's under the plated weight)
It's the plated weight that matters.

It means for example you could not pull an empty flatbed trailer with a plated 5t capacity, even though empty it weighs 750kg.

 

[optimus-prime]

The actual weight matters when you look at the towing capacity of your motorhome. My motorhome can tow maximum 1800 kg, I could tow the 5t trailer in your example, with 1000 kg load on top of the 750kg weight of the trailer. And since we talk about a 5t trailer you must also consider the limitations of C1E, 12t maximum train weight, and here you use the plated weight . Not sure if UK is different, just stating how it is in most of Central Europe.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I did check before we came here, I'm towing a caravan weighing 1400kg my car weighs around 2,000kg so under 3,500kg. But the plated weight of the car is 3,000kg so I have to keep to 90kph on motorways. It's the plated weight that counts, most cops don't have the ability to weigh the vehicle.

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[DDJC]

The actual weight matters when you look at the towing capacity of your motorhome. My motorhome can tow maximum 1800 kg, I could tow the 5t trailer in your example, with 1000 kg load on top of the 750kg weight of the trailer. And since we talk about a 5t trailer you must also consider the limitations of C1E, 12t maximum train weight, and here you use the plated weight . Not sure if UK is different, just stating how it is in most of Central Europe.

Woah woah. 5 ton trailer!!!?? Where did that come from!

I know about trailer weights!! This is my fifth trailer! My bus can tow 2000kg trailer. My trailer is plated at 2000kg. It's total weight is never more than 1500-1600kg!

My question is purely about rear signage, because of the total rig LENGTH, specifically about whether I need these in some countries in Europe:

 

[DDJC]

Woah woah. 5 ton trailer!!!?? Where did that come from!

I know about trailer weights!! This is my fifth trailer! My bus can tow 2000kg trailer. My trailer is plated at 2000kg. It's total weight is never more than 1500-1600kg!

My question is purely about rear signage, because of the total rig LENGTH, specifically about whether I need these in some countries in Europe:

View attachment 1039847

Just for clarity in case this confuses, on the trailer is a Suzuki Ignis which weighs 930kg (incl tow bar and full size spare wheel). The trailer weighs 455 kg on its own. In the car there is about 100 - 130kg of gear.

The issue is the total rig length of 12.3m. Is that long enough to need the plates or not?

 

[optimus-prime]

No, that is not a requirement. The only requirements are the ones stated by Carpmart