Does anyone know the rules of towing and trailers?

[Gazz]

I bought a bike trailer a few months ago with the intention of using it if I ever broke down, but have been hearing some stories recently on new laws on towing and trailers, dollies, A-frames (or whatever you call them) and I worry about getting done for something that I am not fully clued up on...

The trailer that I bought looks almost identical to this:
https://www.qatarliving.com/files/imagecache/page_480/2010/11/30/remolque2.jpg

Although this is not my trailer (pic stolen from internet).

i was wondering if I need lights?
(The lights can be seen on the back of the towing vehicle)

Do I need wheel arches?
(The towing vehicle is wider than the trailer)

Do I need an 'ON TOW' sticker?
(Dont usually see these on breakdown trucks)

Do I need to fit brakes to the trailer?
(There are brakes fitted to the wheels of my trailer but they are not connected to anything to make them work)

Do I need to sit any special test to allow me to tow things?

Do I need to inform my car insurance that I might need to tow a trailer for time to time?

Hope someone can shine some light on this for me, before it comes around that I might actually need to use my trailer.

Cheers in advance guys.

[SQL]

All depends on when you passed your test really.

As for lights I believe you will need them as it add depth perception what if someone crashes into it as it is low slung and unlit.

[Gazz]

Passed test in 2003.

[SQL]

[groovylee]

i was wondering if I need lights?
(The lights can be seen on the back of the towing vehicle)

Would be a good idea, even if not necessarily required.

Do I need wheel arches?
(The towing vehicle is wider than the trailer)

See point above

Do I need an 'ON TOW' sticker?
(Dont usually see these on breakdown trucks)

No

Do I need to fit brakes to the trailer?
(There are brakes fitted to the wheels of my trailer but they are not connected to anything to make them work)

No, as long as it weighs less than 750 kg loaded.

Do I need to sit any special test to allow me to tow things?

No, as long as it doesn't weigh more than the towing vehicle, or a max of 3500kg added together

Do I need to inform my car insurance that I might need to tow a trailer for time to time?

No.

As an example, I can tow my caravan on the same licence as you, and that weighs a lot more than your trailer with bike on

HTH
____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[G]

Most of the points covered.

[edit - I remembered that I actually know how to use google, bonus!]
https://uk-trailer-parts.co.uk/trailer-lighting-rules-regulations-and-requirements
You do need lights

With a bike on the back not all your lights may be visible.

I suspect wheel arches are legally required. (But you'll need to do some deeper googling than I have!)
If not, they're probably a good idea.
I hit one on a French motorway I think it was - a truck pulled aside to let me go and stupidly I felt 'pressurised' to go.
My rather wide panniers hit the side and bounced off.

Ok, if it hadn't had a big wheel arch, I'd have been fine.
But if it was a pedestrain getting involved in the wheel, I'd really rather want something to help them bounce off.

(I did stop, by the way - the frenchies hopped out, checked it was fine and waved me on.)

[BTTD]

A lightboard isn't overly expensive and could save you the hassle of some idiot ramming your lovely bike off the trailer when you hit the brakes. Legally I think you need it anyway.

Does the trailer have a "plate" that tells you what the load capacity is? If it does, then you have to comply with the load ratings regardless of what you're using it for - ie if it says that it's a braked 3ton trailer (highly unlikely) then you're into all those regs even if you're towing it unloaded.

In fact, read this:

https://www.armitagetrailers.com/trailerlaw.htm

I suspect that you'll be well within all the specs for towing a bike on that, but it's better that you know it just in case you get pulled.

I've got a mate that uses his trailer (albeit rarely) with four cracked tyres, disconnected brakes, and a yeah'll be alright attitude.
God help him if he ever gets pulled.

[MattEMulsion]

To make that trailer legal you need a lightboard complete with a number plate and red triangles, you also need to fit wheel arches or at least cover the tops of the tyres. As long as you don't exceed 750kg all up you are fine with no brake system and your current licence status.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[azra3l]

In theory, could he get a bike plate made up with his cars registration on it and just gaffa tape down his front brake? I know it went have a brake light or indicator, but it will increase the visibility of the trailer and you can see the indicators from the tow car..

[MattEMulsion]

[Fizzer Thou]

And do not forget - maximum speed while towing is 60mph and do not go into the third lane while driving on a motorway.

These are a good idea

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50mm-HIGH-SECURITY-UNIVERSAL-HITCHLOCK-CARAVAN-TRAILER-HITCH-TOW-BALL-LOCK-/261114347287
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[clancy]

Yes you will need a light board by law

With passing your test in 2001, you can drive any trailer under 750kg combined weight so that's fine

You won't need breaks on a trailer under 750kg, basically if it doesn't come fitted with breaks you don't need them

No idea about wheel arches, I doubt there required

I'm not sure if your legally required to tell your insurance, but if you had an incident they'd probably hold it against you, up to you really they'll probably analy rape you for the privilege. I didn't tell mine

And people saying not to bother with a light board and you'll probably get away with it is just stupid tbh, you can get them second hand for £10 so just buy one
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KLX 300r

[garth]

Still find it fairly ridiculous that I can drive a 5 Tonne truck, downrated to 3.5T and towing a 750kg trailer legally, but if I were to put the two bikes in the van instead of on the trailer I'd be breaking the law.


Edit, what I mean by this is if I fit two bikes in the downrated van it would weigh over 3.5T.

[G]

Similarly however - when I got my truck, I wasn't legally allowed to drive it on my own, despite that I drove a big van regularly.
Bendy however, who mostly drove an MX5, was fine not only to drive it, but could have legally had a 3.5t trailer on the back too!

I do want to do my +E some time, so I've got the flexibility to cart lots and lots of stuff around. (Ie a car or two with the motorhome.)

[0l0dom0l0]

Few people have said don't worry about brakes. On a bike trailer, no you won't need them but the limit isn't 750 kg for an unbaked trailer, it's whatever the car manufacturer specifies for your car. For example, my seat ibiza fr specifies a maximum of about 500kgs towing of an unbraked trailer but will tow up to 1200kg if the trailer is braked..

500 kg works out at about two normal normal bikes with a trailer.
____________________
CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.