Weights and the law

The answer to this is in the final paragraph of the original post found at the top of each page of this thread.

The poster asked would  'they, for any reason, actually weigh us'! He also asks for any input!

All I was suggesting, licence categories aside, was that we do need to be mindful of that addition weight we add to what is stated on 'paper'. I was weighed, at the roadside. The officer in question was at pains to tell me that the actual weight was crucial. He also told me prior to weighing what the consequences were if the weight restrictions were exceeded. This ranged from temporary 'confiscation' of items in order to reduce weight, or even the impounding of my vehicle. He did check the plated weights of the vehicle, my ability to drive the category of vehicle and actual weight of the vehicle. This was happening to cars with caravans and motorhomes. Also, with penalty points at stake for infringements, to some this could incur a driving ban!

Isn't one of the biggest worries people are considering driving a combination they haven't a licence for? What happens if you have a accident and your insurance don't pay out? If you want to drive bigger vehicles/combinations do it legally and take a test, don't put other road users at risk

Hi there, Im in the same boat as you - i have a 3500kg limit combined car & caravan. If your cars documented gross weight figure PLUS your caravans MTPLM figure exceed 3500kg when added together - then you are towing illegally - irrespective of what your car can actually tow. As mentioned above any checks will mostly likely be done against the manufacturers documented weights of car and caravan and then cross-referenced against your license entitlement.

 If you passed your test before January 1997 you can tow a combine weight of upto 8,250 Kg mam.

Unless you are over 70 and didn't take a medical.

I found the Clubs' advice invaluable when choosing car/caravan. It's listed under Advice and Training and as others have said, will give you an idea of good matches etc. The outfit matching service is free.

Whatever car you choose to tow with, you may want to think about the Clubs' training courses also. My wife attended one and I'm now reaping the benefits!

Whatever you choose, my advice would be to stay well within the law, because if you do, you'll stay safe :)

Surely that's incorrect.  If you took your test before Jan 97 and have a B+E entitlement, you retain that right after 70 regardless of a medical.  The medical only applies if you want to retain the C entitlement?

No, you get a "new" licence than comes with B+E, so can drive a vehicle up to 3500 kgs towing what it can up to 3500 kgs, so then a limit of 7tonnes.

Prior to 70 you could drive up to 7.5 tonnes and tow a 750 trailer as well.

7500 + 750 = 8250 kgs

ocsid - I think we're getting at cross purposes - what you say corresponds with my understanding but isn't the same as what dmiller said - unless I'm being totally stupid!

If you have a B+E licence you may tow a trailer upto 3500kg. Your tow car will have a maximum towing limit take that away from the gross vehicle weight and that will give you the maximum weight of the trailer that you can tow, the train weight which is the legal bit is the combined permissible tow  weight for the car and the weight of the caravan = the train weight this should not be greater than the weights allowed.

The new hand book has this explained in the technical or towing section