towing capacity of a patrol

[peddler]

Hi new to the forum, I am in the building trade and need a vehicle that can pull a 3 ton cherry picker on a trailer that weighs a ton so total 4 tons? I been offered a Nissan patrol GR SE TD 1997 with a tachometer already installed on mark 2 nato towing bracket (quick releasing pin). The owner says that it has a train weight of 6200kg with weight of vehicle of 1900kg so leaving 4300kg for the trailer and cargo. The trouble is I am trying to confirm this? as we all know DVSA (old vosa) like paperwork, if pulled over.

any help on this would be very much appreciated. many thanks in advance. Gary

[Barrbeast]

Hey mate, the Trols are rated to 3.5 ton for manual transmission and 2.5 ton for automatics.

They'll both pull a LOT more but not legally unless the owners had it replated :nenau

In guessing it's a Y61 in which case the LWB is almost 3 ton gross weight so don't know where he's getting his figures from!

[don simon]

The owner says that it has a train weight of 6200kg with weight of vehicle
Isn't the gross train weight stamped on the VIN plate or in the V5?

[solarman216]

yes, Rick

[solarman216]

just read the full thread, there aint any T2 or Patrol that will pull 4 ton legally, in fact I doubt any "car" will you must be looking at a small truck like a transit van perhaps but even then pushing it, Rick

[rustic]

I think a limiting factor is on over run brakes, 3.5 tonne, if the vehicle and trailer are suitable.

I believe over 3.5 tonne is possible, but you need linked braking, ie active braking on the trailer rather than over run.

Not sure what vehicles would be suitable, certainly LR's have been used this way in the past, not sure how replating the towing vehicle works either.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

train weight is full weight of tug n trailer.

think from memory a troll grosses at 3 tonne maybe little more
so plus 3500 kg trailer, assuming manual box, gtw is about 6500 to 6600kg.

ref transits, apart from a couple relatively recently introduced, they have
never exceeded gross vehicle weight of 3500kg, ie twin wheel tippers, the
rac hd swb vans max at 3300gvw due to tackle carried, oh and the rac
trolls were always pushing their gvw, this from a pal that is an rac patrol....

those bigger transits, gross at 4600kg, so can tow longer trailers but i dont think
they can manage heavier 3500kg trailers, basically ford's take on the hd merc
sprinters popular with utilities on mwb twin wheel, seen often with a mini digger.

Id say check weight of picker n trailer as wouldnt expect a picker to be that
heavy after all many are on transit/ sprinter chassis cab or even on a van.


if need a tug for something of a plant nature, heavier than 3500kg could do
worse than look at unimogs, or see if can be carried on a 7.5tonner flatbed/ramped.

[Banshee]

if need a tug for something of a plant nature, heavier than 3500kg could do
worse than look at unimogs

Now you're talking :naughty

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

I think a limiting factor is on over run brakes, 3.5 tonne, if the vehicle and trailer are suitable.

I believe over 3.5 tonne is possible, but you need linked braking, ie active braking on the trailer rather than over run.

Not sure what vehicles would be suitable, certainly LR's have been used this way in the past, not sure how replating the towing vehicle works either.


reckon tow weights have have reduced as green ovals have the generic max of 3500kg
these days but sure my old 74rrc had plate on dash for 4000kg, and 6000/6500kg
upto 18mph, ie using low box for farm trailers.

Also some of the more hd yank pickups, ie in their model series 2500/3500 + can
tow over 3500kg subject to gear ratios, look at ones seen towing the 5th wheel
campers.

[Lazy-Ferret]

I think a limiting factor is on over run brakes, 3.5 tonne, if the vehicle and trailer are suitable.

I believe over 3.5 tonne is possible, but you need linked braking, ie active braking on the trailer rather than over run.

Not sure what vehicles would be suitable, certainly LR's have been used this way in the past, not sure how replating the towing vehicle works either.

Don't forget it also depends on your driving licence, and when you passed your test...

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM, but it seems the Trailer can not exceed 3500Kg

[peddler]

many thanks for your replies - me and the local test station here in norfolk have done some in depth research and with dvsa. Nissan patrol has a train weight of 6200kg but if you take the unladen weight (not the max what the patrol can carry) with one person 75kg and all fluids (kerb weight) 1839kg with any extras so lets take it up the 2000kg for arguments sake. The balance you left is what you can pull - 4200kg - in order to do so you must have a calibrated tachograph and in some circumstances an operators licence if for hire or reward. As long as you do not exceed the 6200kg. However you do not need a tachograph if you vehicle runs purely on LPG (ie no petrol tanks)

hope this helps - many thanks Gary

[solarman216]

Just goes to show that the law makers have no effing idea, far too complicated for the average person to follow, shit government, and shit rules, Rick

[peddler]

Please also remember you will need to upgrade the towing hitch to a 4000kg pin and eye stage 2 or above in order to comply and as suggested above you will need electrical brakes on a trailer above 3500kg your must also get your trailer plated to the correct weight ie 4 tons This may seem a lot of hassle, but it can be done. I am having a plant trailer altered to confirm - please remember there a lot of idiots out there who do not know how to tow or/and constantly breaking the law. If you have an accident and you are not legal your insurance may not pay out and you could be nicked (fines and points) it is not worth it. many thanks

[Lazy-Ferret]

many thanks for your replies - me and the local test station here in norfolk have done some in depth research and with dvsa. Nissan patrol has a train weight of 6200kg but if you take the unladen weight (not the max what the patrol can carry) with one person 75kg and all fluids (kerb weight) 1839kg with any extras so lets take it up the 2000kg for arguments sake. The balance you left is what you can pull - 4200kg - in order to do so you must have a calibrated tachograph and in some circumstances an operators licence if for hire or reward. As long as you do not exceed the 6200kg. However you do not need a tachograph if you vehicle runs purely on LPG (ie no petrol tanks)

hope this helps - many thanks Gary

Interesting, but you may still have a problem finding a tow bar rated up to that weight, and the physical coupling can't be ball hitch, as that is only rated up to 3500Kg. I do know the pin on my Dixon Bate hitch is rated at 5000Kg, but again the ball is only 3500Kg. I wonder if you could use a NATO hitch?

[Banshee]

Please carry this on guys, I'm going to sticky this :thumb2

[peddler]

yes that is correct you need a nato hitch mark two (minimum) That what i was referring to a pin and eye with a quick release, which as you correctly stated is 5000kg this also has to be correctly installed. I have also have a air ride trailer, where the axles are on hydraulics. You can lower the whole bed to the floor just sits there completely flat on the floor. Just pushed the car on, then pumps the bed up so the pins lock in and hitch to the car and drive away. ( you can of course leave it hitched up and lower the bed which causes a slope then just winch the car up) I use it to trailer by classic cars, great bit of kit. I believe it was used in the army as it has that sturdy feel about it, unfortunately it is not plated but easily carrys rollers and Bentley to shows etc Gary