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TACHOGRAPHS !!!!!!!

I HAVE READ A LOT ABOUT THE USE OF TACHOS IN VANS AND TRUCKS,THE LATEST BEING....IF YOUR VAN/TRUCK,EXCEEDS ITS 3500KG LIMIT(WHEN I HAVE A KUBOTA AND ATTACHMENT/DIGGER ON A TRAILER) I MUST BE CLOSER TO 6000KG,DOES THIS MEAN I MUST HAVE A TACHO ,UNDER EU LAWS AND SPEED GOVERNED TO 56MPH ?????

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  • BUT THEN YOU NEED A TACHO FOR THE LORRY WHICH WILL NOT GET INTO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS HOMES,AND WE DON'T ALWAYS USE THE TRAILER,BUT WHEN WE DO,THE COMBINATION IS AROUND 6 TONS...DO I NEED A TACHO? AND AS I DON'T WORK FOR FREE IT MUST BE FOR REWARD.
  • I recall that there was a limit on vehicles used for the carrying goods (maximum permissible weight including trailer) mustn't exceed 3.5 tonnes. However for vehicles used for horticultural are exempt from the drivers hours and tachograph rules.

    I would be more concerned about not being over the weight limit for the vehicle and trailer and getting pulled over by the white coats and clip boards of VOSA.

    May be have a look around their web site at http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/generalinfo/legislation/legis...
  • When we bought our 3500kg truck it had a tacho in. I was told by the guy who sold it to me, who traded in trucks, that I had to use the tacho whenever I used a trailer, whatever the weight. I'm also sure the total load including the trailer load must not exceed a certain combined weight.

    I've been meaning to google this for ages so thanks for the prompt.
  • Just found this info on Alston trailers website

    'Towing Vehicle Compatibility

    Most vehicles have the recommended towing weights for both braked and unbraked trailers, in the handbook. If it is not a commercial vehicle it is not illegal to exceed these weights within reason, but it may invalidate your vehicle warranty or insurance.

    We are fortunate in the UK to have a large range of 4x4 towing vehicles, many of which are suitable for towing up to the legal maximum of 3500kg. Many larger cars can easily tow a horse trailer particularly if only loaded with one horse.

    All commercial vehicles have a plate fitted either under the bonnet or in the passenger side door frame or step area. The top weight is the gross vehicle mass, the second is the gross train mass, which is the total permitted weight of the vehicle, trailer and loads. Subtracting the first weight from the second will give the maximum trailer weight that can be used with that vehicle.

    Trailers can be ordered with the plated weights reduced to be compatible with your vehicle if required. Particularly for plant trailers don’t forget the weight of fuel and extra buckets, which may be better carried in the vehicle.

    Tachographs

    A tachograph is required to be fitted to record the driver’s hours in a vehicle and trailer combination that exceeds 3500 kg. when used for commercial purposes.

    Exempt from this requirement are vehicles used for the non-commercial carriage of goods for personal use, vehicles carrying live animals between a farm and a local market or from a local market to a slaughterhouse and vehicles carrying goods having a maximum weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes if carrying materials or equipment for the drivers use, in the course of his work, within a 50km radius of the vehicle base.

    There are other exemptions but they are not likely to be relevant to most trailer users.'

    Its clearer than the DOT website.
  • Pro Gard said:
    So if your traveling less than 50km towing say a mini digger and plant trailer within the plated capacity of the truck then your ok?

    I would guess yes.
  • I think yes too, but its a bit ambiguous. What if you have a collegue in the truck who operates the machine on site?

    I might start taking a pig to work with me and say I'm going to market if I get stopped.
  • i am most certain that if you do not exceed the 3500kg limit,even if you have a tacho fitted,you don't have to use it,but if during the day you hook up a trailer that would then take you over,then it is advisable to tacho the whole day.
    the forum i had been looking at had said a lot of its members 4x4 had tachos fitted,mainly because they exceed the 3500kg limit.
    also don't forget,if you passed your test after jan 1997 you need to take a trailer test,otherwise your towing limit is 750kg..........i believe. just make sure you have the relevant category on your license
  • http://www.commercialfleet.org/tools/van/tachograph-compliance-tool/
    Tachograph for vans - towing regulations - commercial vehicles - Fleet News
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