I have the noddy licence which means no towing for me (well sort of)

Now I have been looking into it as I know I CAN tow, but its figuring out what I can tow....

So this is how I understand it-

1) Tow car must be rated to pull combined load and trailer, without exceeding the MAX GVW of the car or my licence i.e. 3500kg which ever one is the least.

2) Trailer must be able to carry the max load of the trailer and not exceed the MAX load of the trailer.

The trailer I am looking at is 667KG and the car I want to put on it is 1200kg (rounded up)

1200+667=1867kg total weight of trailer

3500-1867=1633kg

So that means the total weight of the car I am using to pull the trailer cannot exceed 1633KG. Now the Legacy I have been looking at is plated at 1950kg, so is too heavy, but having spoke to Brian James Trailers, they reckon that for private use it is only based on how heavy the whole rig actually is, NOT whats on the plates....

So as long as I get the whole thing weighed before setting off and it is under 3500kg i can still tow it, is that correct?

The legacys actual weight when unloaded etc, comes in at 1450kg so in theory it should be fine for towing the above?

 

I thought it was all about the plated weights regardless of private or commerical, because i know you can get a trailer 'down plated' because most trailers which will carry a normal car will be rated at well over 2 tones, more like 2.7 on the ones i've seen which puts people like us wayyyyy over the limits.

 

The Legacy (Diesel ) I had was great for towing. Had absolutely no problems at all and all legal. Used it for towing Escort MK2 on Brian James trailer.

My friend uses a Legacy for the same thing and no probs there either. His is a 2.0L petrol, bit gutless compared to the diesel but still does the job

 

Just do the towing test You're only limited by the vehicle trailer weights then. 3500kg to tow a car on a car trailer is pushing the limits tbh!

 

How does the Legacy magically gain 300+ kgs?!

Mine is just under 1500; gen 4 2.5 Outback (so basically a Legacy). Decent towing weight but I can't remember what the exact number is.

 

It is plated at 1950 fully laden, plate is mounted on the top of the drivers strut tower.

Towing weight is 1600kg IIRC on the 2.0s, 2.5s 1800.

So In theory ti is feasible if i cn get a light enough trailer...

out of interest, what would a V3 STI stripped and cages weigh?

 

Fully laden with what? A boot full of cement and some fat blokes?!

 

This was my setup with the legacy. Had boot full of tyres, tools, etc, aswell. Never had an issue.

 

Ahh the good old trailer towing weights, regulations and rules. I don't think there's a single clear accurate forum thread on the Internet on what you can and can not do. Your best option is to do the test at £400. I spent hours sifting through Pistonheads reading all about trailers etc and the information out there is rideclious. Basically if you haven't done the extra trailer licence and have the newer style driving licenses, then being able to pull a trailer with a car is none existent to do it legally.

...and no, you will not be able to tow a trailer with a loaded car plus your tow car if the train weight is just below 3.5t if that's what you are aiming for.

 

So what are the consequences of towing without the correct licence?

Are we talking £60 fine and 3 points or car crushing?

 

Honestly just do the test, save you a lot of hassle in the long run