Unit & Trailers

[fozz19]

This question appears to have several people baffled.
The tractor unit is plated for 44 tonnes; i.e. it gross train weight,
It does not weigh 44 tonnes.
The trailer is plated for 36 tonnes.
Our boss says the combination, unit and trailer, can carry 41 tonnes, we say it can only have a train, unit and trailer, gross weight of 36 tonnes.
We have tried V O S A but got no reply to date.
Who is correct? The boss or us?

[redcrx]

Id say 36 tonnes, that the trailer will only be allowed to carry its plated weight, regardless of what the truck itself can take.

[qapmoc]

Seems fairly obvious really, that the trailer can carry up to 36 tonnes provided that the total weight of everything (unit+trailer+load) does not exceed 44 tonnes.

[JudgeJ]

I don't know the answer to the question. However, what I would say is beware. If you drive a plated vehicle in excess of its plated weight the penalties for both operator and driver are extremely high. Depending on the excess carried you're looking at a fine well into four figures for the operator and of potentially many hundreds for the driver.

[Touareg-8]

36 is the SWL - safe working load

[Catso]

The 44t max train weight is the absolute maximum allowed in the UK. To run at this weight there are several requirements amongst which are: 1/ all suspension must be 'road friendly' IE air and 2/ trailer must be triaxle and 3/ unit must be a 6-wheeler. (I think there are others)

So, if your trailer is only rated at 36t, then one or more of these requirements isn't fulfilled - obviously, one of the trailer requirements.

So, the answer is you can only run at 36t, or you'd be breaking the construction and use regulations by overloading the trailer to above its UK limits.

[fozz19]

Thanks to one and all for the answers, we just have to convince our boss now.

Once again many thanks

[DirtyHabit]

Who holds the CPC for your company? They should know the answer.