Post Tagged with: "trailer weight"

In Germany, every vehicle requiring registration and every trailer must undergo a regular MOT inspection. Generally, the intervals for motor vehicles are every two years. The rules are slightly different for trailers.

When does the trailer have to undergo a MOT inspection?

For trailers, the MOT inspection interval depends on the trailer’s weight. Large trailers weighing over 3,500 kg to 10,000 kg must undergo an initial inspection after 12 months and then every 12 months thereafter. Trailers weighing between 750 kg and 3,500 kg must undergo an initial inspection after 24 months and then every 24 months thereafter.

The first inspection for trailers up to 750 kg is due after 36 months, with subsequent ongoing inspections scheduled every 24 months. These intervals also apply to unbraked trailers.

The table summarizes the MOT inspection intervals for trailers:

 

from 3.500 kg to 10.000 kg	after 12 months	every 12 months
from 750 kg to 3.500 kg	after 24 months	every 24 months
up to 750 kg	after 36 months	every 24 months
unrestrained	after 36 months	every 24 months

 

If you have a new trailer, it’s best to check your vehicle registration document or your vehicle registration certificate. This should indicate when you need to have your next MOT or initial inspection. The MOT sticker on the rear license plate, similar to a car, also provides reliable information about when your trailer needs to be inspected again.

What do you need to bring to the MOT?

You should prepare well for your MOT appointment to keep it as short as possible. It’s best to check yourself beforehand whether the trailer’s tires and lights are in good condition and whether the trailer has any defects. Be sure to have important documents with you. These include your vehicle registration document or vehicle registration certificate, as well as the most recent MOT report (if available) and your ID.

Of course, before you retrofit a trailer hitch, you first have to determine whether your car has ever been designed to travel with the trailer and is approved as a towing vehicle. You can find all the information you need on the nameplate of the vehicle. The data are both in the service booklet and usually on a sticker that is housed in the spare wheel module. If it can not be found there, you will find information in the owner’s manual of the vehicle on where to findyour nameplate. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer and the approval number, the chassis number can also be found there. The second line also specifies technically permissible weights. Underneath you will also find the permissible trailer weight.

This indicates the permissible trailer weight

As the name implies, the trailer weight indicates how heavy the combination of vehicle and trailer may be. Thus, it is clear that a combination may exist, so theoretically a trailer could be drawn. It then depends on the value. The weight of the vehicle must be deducted from the weight of the trailer in order to clarify whether and, if so, with what weight a trailer can be towed.

In addition, you can also consult the vehicle registration, which is the easier way. The vehicle registration indicates with the values ​​O1 and O2, which braked and unbraked towing load is technically permissible for the vehicle. If you can not find any values ​​there, the vehicle is not allowed to drive with a trailer.

What happens if your vehicle is not allowed as a towing vehicle and still pulls a trailer?

In order for a vehicle to be approved for trailer use, some points have to be met already in the development of the vehicle. Thus, for example, the motorization of the car is adapted to the possible use as towing vehicle, or special attachment points for the trailer hitch are defined by the vehicle manufacturer. Also, the cooling of the engine and other system must be defined separately for the optional trailer drive. If your car is not suitable and approved for the load and service as a towing vehicle, it will cause a variety of damage to the vehicle if it is still used to tow a trailer.