New regulations for trailers in 2012.

Starting in 2012, all trailers will be required to comply with European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and its related approval schemes. ECWVTA will test trailers on brakes, lighting, coupling devices, etc. A trailer must pass these tests before it can enter the European fleet or enter into service on Irish roads. There are also new national schemes to approve trailers: both those manufactured in low volume in Ireland, and for trailers manufactured or imported individually.

All Dale Kane Trailers will pass the new 2012 regulations.

Regulations for vehicles & trailers in service

It is a key basic road safety requirement that all vehicles and trailers on our roads, and all components of those vehicles, conform to a minimum standard of construction. It is the legal responsibility of the owner and driver of a vehicle or combination of vehicles to ensure that, when it is used in a public place, it is in such a condition that it is not liable to endanger other road users.

What the law says

Every vehicle owner must ensure that his or her vehicle or combination of vehicles complies with all applicable Regulations. These are outlined in three main pieces of legislation as follows:

• Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations as amended
• Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations as amended
• Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations as amended

Individuals engaged in the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles also have a legal responsibility to ensure that vehicles and their components comply with all applicable requirements set out in Road Traffic legislation.

Current Regulations.

These are a copy of the Irish Road Safety Regulations, They set our rules for trailer’s weight, lights, brakes, under-run, side-guards and securing of loads.

Below are three pieces of legislation:

• Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations as amended – Outlines the maximum weight and dimensions for trailers.
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/si/0005.html
• Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations as amended –Outlines the braking requirements for trailers.
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0190.html
• Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations as amended –Outlines the lighting requirements for trailers.
  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0189.html

Which trailers have to follow these regulations?

All trailers must follow these regulations, but there are specific rules for the driving license you must have and the brakes your trailer must have depending on trailer type. Trailers are classified by their weight when they are carrying a load, which is called the Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) or maximum mass.

Trailer Categories:

• O1 Trailers = DGVW less than 0.75 tonnes. This includes small car trailers
• O2 Trailers = DGVW between 0.75 and 3.5 tonnes. This includes large trailers, horse boxes and most caravans.
• O3 Trailers = DGVW over 10 tonnes. This includes heavy trailers and articulated or semi-trailers.

Driving License Requirements:

The license required will depend on what type of towing vehicle you are driving i.e whether you are using a car, a truck or a bus.

• http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/About-your-license/

Towing an O1 or an O2 trailer with a car, 4x4 or a small van

With an ordinary category B license a person can:

• Tow a trailer up to 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to 8 passengers (apart from the driver). The combination weight cannot exceed 4.25 tonnes.
• Tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, provided that the DGVW of the trailer does not exceed the un-laden weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3.5 tonnes.

With an EB license a person can:

• Tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to eight passengers (apart from the driver) provided that the manufacturer’s rated towing capacity for the towing vehicle is not exceeded.

For towing O3 andO4 trailers

The license required will depend on what type of vehicle is being used and the trailer size.

Brake Requirements

For O1 Trailers (DGVW not exceeding 0.75 tonnes)

• O1 trailers with a single axle are not obliged to have brakes provided that their DGVW is less than half the DGVW of the towing vehicle.
• O1 trailers that have a DGVW greater than half of the DGVW weight of the towing vehicle or that have two or more axles must have brakes fitted.

For O2 Trailers (DGVW between 0.75 & 3.5 tonnes)

• All O2 trailers must also have brakes fitted. The braking system must include a parking brake.
• If the O2 trailer does not have an automatic breakaway device that activates its brakes should it become detached from the vehicle, then it must be fitted with a secondary coupling consisting of a chain or wire rope.

For O3 & O4 Trailers (DGVW exceeding 3.5 tonnes)

O3 & O4 trailers must be

• Licenced for use on the public road.
• Plated and undergo an annual roadworthiness test.
• Fitted with brakes, a secondary or emergency brake and a parking brake, all of which are checked during the roadworthiness test.

Further details are available in the HGV Test Manual. http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Vehicle%20Testing/HGVManualV6sm.pdf

What you can do to improve safety

Make sure that your vehicle and trailer (and all parts and equipment):

• Are in good working order and correctly maintained
• Are used safely and won't harm anyone
• Are able to carry the load

Make sure that the load you are carrying:

• Does not affect the stability of the vehicle or the trailer
• Is securely attached to the vehicle or trailer

It is your responsibility to know the capacity and the limits of your vehicle, tow hitch and trailer and to make sure that you never operate beyond these.

Please consult your owner’s handbook for all the details on your vehicle's towing limits. Many vehicles will have a higher towing capacity/limit for a trailer fitted with brakes and a far lower capacity/limit if towing a trailer without brakes.

As a driver you are legally required to never exceed the manufacturers' design specifications for the car, the tow hitch or the trailer.

Future Trailer Regulations

Starting in 2012, all trailers will be required to comply with European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and its related approval schemes. ECWVTA will test trailers on brakes, lighting, coupling devices, etc. A trailer must pass these tests before it can enter the European fleet or enter into service on Irish roads.
There are also new national schemes to approve trailers: both those manufactured in low volume in Ireland, and for trailers manufactured or imported individually.