Hi Gene,
Thanks for that link to the
po-faced official view.
I am aware that drivers of motor caravans have been stopped on Mainland Europe, but allowed to proceed after abandoning their A-framed "tender". The information was supplied by victims relating their experiences on a UK Motor Home forum.
The problem arises from the requirement that brakes are required on all trailers exceeding 15cwt (750kg) MGW. I an uncertain if that refers to Maximum PERMITTED Gross Weight, or ACTUAL Gross Weight (AGW). Things are further complicated by DVLA referring to KERBWEIGHT, which seems to involve "variables", such as the
assumed weight of your Mother-in-Law.
A quick trip into OT Territory. A prospective passenger was refused permission to board an aircraft, as his hand baggage was half a pound over the permitted weight. He solved the problem by removing a pound of Salami sausage from his bag ... and eating half of it.
I am guessing that if a trailer is fitted with brakes, they must work.
My first caravan, a CI Sprite, bought new in 1971, required someone to jump out, to engage the "detent" to prevent the OVER-RUN brakes engaging when reversing.
This system became illegal, with the requirement that trailer brakes should allow the combination to be reversed, without the driver having to leave the cab. Spawn of the Devil ... this device would not prevent the caravan from running away backwards, on my 1 in 8 drive. I know at least one person has been crushed to death, due to this system. The trailer ran away backwards, and pulling the hand brake simply encouraged the "reverse enable" system to de-apply the brakes.
The 602 solution? Allow the driver to engage the "over-run detent" by pulling a bit of string, or if he's really posh, by a switch triggered by the reverse lamp switch, and a solenoid.
I have read of one trailer fitted with hydraulic brakes, with pressure provided by an electric pump that was activated by the stop lamp switch. But I've also read that neither electrically, nor hydraulically operated brakes are not permitted in the UK. That was a long time ago, and things may have changed My mate Bill (in Trebanos .. we have a member living nearby) had an American boat trailer with electric brakes.
A car being towed, with a "steersman", is (or was) regarded as an unbraked trailer. I suspect the RTA specifically permits the towing of a BDV (broken down vehicle) which might imply that you cannot tow an "able-bodied" motor vehicle? My understanding is that a provisional licence holder is not permitted to tow a trailer. I assume there are exceptions for "vocational" learners.
I would argue that driving a vehicle above your permitted weight limit, would mean you are driving without a licence, so uninsured ... unless (maybe) you are wearing L-plates, and accompanied by an "Instructor". Your licence should tell you what you can drive as a Learner.
Check the small print. (Barbara was originally restricted to A MOTOR CAR AND A MOTORTRICYCLE, and nothing else, but she now has full B+E entitlement. How did that happen?)
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