Trailer weights, MAM Max Axle weight and nose weight

[pemeb]

It's my first time here. I hope towing comes under advanced driving. Apologies if it's the wrong place.

Can someone please help with trailer weights, MAM *maximum allowable mass, Max Axle weight and nose weight)

I've re- built an old trailer, with brakes, and now I need to make up the new weight plate for it.

My question is quite simple.

The trailer weighs 250 kg unloaded.
The max axle weight is 1300 kg (that's the specification of the suspension units that I bought for my one axle trailer, 1300 kg spread over both wheels)
Assume I always will have a nose weight of 50 kg

Am I correct that I should therefore state my MAM as 1350 kg (ie the max that the axle can carry plus the nose weight that is carried by my towbar and not by the axle?

ie my plate will show

Unladen weight: 250 kg
Gross weight (MAM) 1350 kg
Max Axle Loading: 1300 kg

(And so working backward this means that I can put a max load of 1350 - 250 = 1100 kg in my trailer)


Thank you to anyone that can help me

[R0G]

I am not sure if you can get it legally plated as its not factory made

[Mr Pointy]

Does this help? It a sticky in the SPL section of the forum:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[7mike]

R0G said:

I am not sure if you can get it legally plated as its not factory made

My understanding; self-build trailers need an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) Would the plated weights not be confirmed at this point?

[R0G]

From my memory self made trailers GVW go on the total of the load ratings stated on the tyres

[Darkslider]

R0G said:

From my memory self made trailers GVW go on the total of the load ratings stated on the tyres

I've heard this also, there's a substantial number of trailers out there with no plates for whatever reason, and I'm the absence of a plate in the event of a pull Plod will default to the only other weight rating they can see which is the tyre loading.

Make sure you fit proper C rated tyres, not just car tyres and you'll probably have a minimum of 1200,kg tyre rating across a single axle, depending which ones you pick.

[angoooose]

While we're discussing towing and weights....

Today, i witnessed a Mercedes C Class towing a Mini Convertible using the style of rig you see with campervans towing a small car ie a Y frame attached to the front of the Mini and the tow ball on the Merc.

Is the Mini not effectively an unbraked trailer, which weighs well over 750kg?

[hidetheelephants]

If there's a cable rig acting on the brake pedal then it's safe enough, although towing with an A frame is a grey area.

[donkmeister]

angoooose said:

While we're discussing towing and weights....

Today, i witnessed a Mercedes C Class towing a Mini Convertible using the style of rig you see with campervans towing a small car ie a Y frame attached to the front of the Mini and the tow ball on the Merc.

Is the Mini not effectively an unbraked trailer, which weighs well over 750kg?

Was there a driver in the Mini?