Does anyone know the towing laws of towing a twin axle trailer with only one axle fitted?
I'm looking at this Horsebox and want to know if I can tow it home on one axle legally.
By the way it'll be empty

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181677092202?ru=...26_rdc%3D1 Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

The axle is not structural, it carries weight but does not add to the structural rigidity of the trailer so perfectly legal as long as the overall weight is lower than the rating for the remaining axle. Remember to subtract the weight you have on the towball (100KG-ish) as this weight will not be on the axle as well.

You also need to check the weight on your towball. Since it is the forward axle which is missing there is likely to be a lot of weight on the pin. From memory the RR can take 250KG here but a standard 50mm ball hitch is normally 100KG max, 150 on the Winterhoff coupling. To get the 250 you would need a towing eye and a suitable hitch.

Might get a few funny looks though. Possibly rent a car transporter for the day ??

As above, as long as it's structurally sound and the nose weight is OK, I'd just do it! Regards
Royston

2008 4.2 Supercharged Autobiography
1994 Classic Vogue SE
1999 Rover BRM
1987 Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum

Done it a few times as well as just taken the front wheels of a twin axle when one them got punctured and I didn't have a spare.

Just make sure everything else is in order as it's a great excuse to pull you over for a look-see & make sure you get a receipt from the vendor with both of your addresses / phone number included!

Good luck!

Check that the brakes still work as they normally have a split from one rod/cable to two so if one is missing the other may not work.

Towing it should be fine if not going far!
However the tyres look shot I expect the sidewalls have started to crack with age so I would do so very carefully! Mine was a blue one!

Last edited by Andy3681 on 6th Mar 2015 1:08pm. Edited 1 time in total

Make sure the single axle's brakes are rated for the whole trailer?

I would think it better to hire an ifor williams type flatbed tailer for the day as if the worst happened & you were involved in a big shunt (even if no fault of your own!) you could be deemed negligent?

I think they start at around £40 a day so no great amount sir

I'm in agreement with Craig on this . . .
Regardless of the trailer not bearing any weight other than it's own if it was designed and manufactured (and possibly type approved) with two axles, then that is what it should have when on the road.
Craig mentions the brakes - were both axles braked originally ? In which case fifty per cent of the brakes aren't present. That would be the view of VOSA . . .
Not forgetting our dear insurance companiess as when the wheel comes off (pardon the pun) they exist to protect share holders not those who pay the premiums . . . it would be an easy get out for them.
Better to get it home off the road, then refurbish to a standard you're happy with -

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

Or think of it as a semi-permanent lifting axle?