5th wheel

[stefan]

Hi all since looking through the photo of the year threads this morning I have been wondering about the legal side of a landrover or forward control with a 5th wheel, camper or car transporter.

What licence would you need, weight limit and things like that.

I am sure someone on here will know.

regards

stefan

[22900013A]

Considering some Fcs can get pretty heavy it could well come under class 1 if the trailer is heavy enough. An FC with a 3500KG trailer would probably just about scrape within the regs for the B&E but would really depend on the gross weight of the vehicle.

[Wheeledbeast]

There used to be some fifth wheel 90’s or 110’s used to pull large horse boxes in the late eighty’s.

[DasLandRoverMan]

From what I've managed to piece together on the subject -under current rules- it works out thus in the UK.

To stay within B+E licence regs the tow vehicle cannot exceed 3,500 kg MGW, whilst the axle weights on the trailer must also remain below 3,500 kg with no more than 20% of the trailers total weight being carried on the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

Exceeding the above will take you into class 1 territory and it is classed as a semi articulated vehicle the specifics of which I'm uncertain.

However, as a practical example of the above a 110 with a 1000 kg payload (let's say a Hi-Cap for sakes of argument) could tow a 5th wheel trailer with a 4,200kg gross weight provided the axle weights on the trailer don't exceed 3,500 kg (eg: if you had only the trailer axles sitting on a weighbridge then the figure given would be less than 3,500kg) and the rear axle of the tow vehicle is within its limit (in the case of a 1000 kg capacity it would be 300kg under) and the trailer equipped with a suitable close coupled brake system then you would be classified as legal under B+E regs.

I've not seen this written as gospel but it is my understanding of the rules based on the 20% suggestion from a former DVLA employee, and applying it with B+E rules.

I suspect an email to VOSA with a direct query.as to whether the above is accurate would yield best results.

[stefan]

Thanks for the info, may or may not build something like it but good to have an idea on the subject before you start.

Was thinking 882 forward control with car/landrover carrying trailer on the back. Give the long suffering transit a rest from towing my crap about

[DasLandRoverMan]

Sounds a good plan, just be sure you've got your axle weights right. Probably also worth writing to VOSA for confirmation of the above, make things easier if you get pulled by a smart arse traffic cop or VOSA examiner with no.understanding of the surrounding rules.

[Wheeledbeast]

I would look cool

[Jai_landrover]

Keep us informed this would be a cool project!!