Q We have a 20-ton knock-out axle
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machinery trailer which is not fitted with springs, but each pair of wheels can pivot on a trunnion. Can you please tell us if there am any restrictions regarding this type of trailer?
AAs this trailer would not appear to be
fitted with springs the only way it could legally be used on roads would be for the carriage of "abnormal indivisible loads". This is defined in Article 20 of the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) General Order 1966 No. 1289 (obtainable from HMSO, 2s. 6d.) and operated in accordance with the conditions and restrictions set out in Articles 21, 24, 25, 28 and 29 of that order.
If you use the trailer for normal haulage purposes it must comply in all respects with the requirement of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations which means that, in this case, the trailer would need to be fitted with springs as set out in Regulation 10. But there is no legal definition of what constitutes a spring to meet this requirement other than that every motor vehicle and trailer must be equipped with "suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the frame of the vehicle".