Regulations say that trailers that have a gross trailer mass (GTM) of 750kg or less and a single axle will not require a braking system. Given that most caravans exceed this limit, it is likely a braking system is required for you to tow a van.
Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 3,000 lbs. Combination of vehicles must be able to stop within legal limits. Requires any vehicle combination to stop in 40 feet at 20 mph.
Unbraked trailers are generally small and lightweight, and are commonly used for small loads such as lawnmowers, bicycles, or personal belongings. In most places, unbraked trailers are required to have a maximum gross weight (the total weight of the trailer and its contents) of 750 kilograms or less.
Unbraked Towing Capacity: When the term unbraked towing is used, it is describing the capacity of your car to tow a trailer that does not have its own independent braking system. This capacity is usually less than braked towing capacity.
Single axle trailers that weigh less than 750kg aren't required to have brakes. Trailers that weigh between 750kg and 2,000kg are required to have brakes on the wheels of at least one axle.
Fitting a suitable brake controller and connection: all trailers of 750kg gross trailer mass (GTM) or more must be fitted with brakes. Electric brakes are the most commonly used and require a brake controller, with appropriate connections to the trailer, to be fitted in the tow vehicle.
For all trailers with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) between 750kg and 2000kg you need brakes on the wheels of at least one axle. For a trailer over 2000kg, you must have brakes operating on all wheels. This means that for almost every camper trailer or caravan you tow you will need a trailer brake controller.
Assuming you can drive a car legally, no special categories are required on your driving licence to tow an unbraked trailer. The trailer has to have a gross weight of no more than 750kg.
Exceeding what your vehicle is designed to tow can strain your engine and transmission, accelerate brake wear, damage your tires and even warp your chassis.
What changed on 16 December 2021. If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you're now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM . Check your car's handbook to find out its gross train weight (GTW). This is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.
Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it's loaded.
Constructed with the solid ladder frame chassis used on Iveco trucks, all 3.5-tonne versions of the Iveco Daily van can tow up to 3,500kg. GTW can be as high as 7 tonnes, allowing you to load your van and trailer to their limits and still be perfectly legal on the road.
Have you ever found yourself asking – “do I need an electric brake controller?”. For many trailer users, the answer is yes. If you're towing between 751kg and 2,000kg of loaded weight you'll need braking on both wheels on at least one axle. From 2,001kg up to 4,500 kg of loaded weight you'll need braking on all wheels.
You Sticker Stamp or Plate Can Tell You the Weight Rating
The word capacity with some number in thousands. Axles with 5,000lb capacity might read “Capacity 5,000”. The abbreviation GAWR, which means Gross Axle Weight Rating. There will be a number in the thousands next to this one, too.
Depending on the state, the weight limit ranges from 1,500 pounds in Nevada, California, and Idaho to 10,000 pounds in Massachusetts. However, most states require a separate trailer-brake system at some weight between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds.
RAM 1500 Express- Maximum braked towing capacity: 4500kg
Yep, you read that right. The US-made RAM trucks must be a copywriter's dream.
You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM .
Brakes are compulsory equipment for road trailers, but some models are not equipped with a braking system. Here are some explanations: Trailers with a total unladen weight of more than 750 kg must be braked.
This is the maximum your vehicle can tow if your trailer has its own brakes. Unbraked towing capacity is the maximum your vehicle can tow if your trailer has no brakes.
The weight limit for driving minibuses on a car licence is 3500kg, with an additional 750kg allowance for specialist equipment for disabled passengers.
Your trailer may be banging when you brake due to the Damper in your Coupling being worn. The Damper acts like a shock absorber. If the damper is damaged your vehicle may bounce, drift whilst braking or the trailer will 'nose dive' into the back of your vehicle. If this is the case, your Damper will need replacing.
Braking will only increase the speed differential between the car and caravan and make the van more unstable. It sounds counter intuitive, but you must maintain or slowly increase your speed. Failing to do so puts you in danger of rolling your rig or being sucked into the side of a passing truck.
Safe speeds
This keeps things manageable should you need to suddenly apply the brakes, and helps you stay in control where there is a strong cross wind or uneven road surfaces. Travelling between 80-90km/h will also save fuel and allow other vehicles to safely overtake you.