In a recent Q & A (CM April 28) you
Page 49
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
answered a question regarding towing articulated vehicles and referred to the restriction on such towing if the combination of vehicles exceeded 24 tons gross train weight or 18 metres in length. Could you tell me where this is specified in regulations? Also could you advise me whether there is a different situation regarding towing #. the vehicle being towed is broken down?
AIn answering the previous question we stated that the 24 tons gross weight and 18 metres length may not be exceeded when towing but there are exemptions to these restrictions where the vehicle being towed is broken down. The 1969 Construction and Use Regulations specifies in paragraph 108 that a combination of a vehicle and one trailer being drawn must not exceed 18 metres. However, this is amended by The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1970 which provides that this length limit does not apply in the case of a broken-down vehicle being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of the breakdown.
There is no variation in the maximum permissable gross train of 24 tons in the event of a breakdown. The weight limit is specified in paragraph 73(1) (a) of the 1969 C and U regulations. In the following sub-paragraph it specifies the conditions by which 24 tons gross may be exceeded by a normal vehicle (ie, other than one broken down) and trailer combination but it is clear that this sub-paragraph cannot apply to broken-down vehicles because it requires the trailer fie, the broken-down vehicle) to be fitted with power-assisted brakes which can be operated by the driver of the drawing vehicle. This is obviously not normally possible with most broken-down vehicles.
So far as the towing of broken-down articulated vehicles by rigid vehicles are concerned, there seems to be some doubt by operators as to the legal restrictions. The first point to understand is that an articulated vehicle may not be towed by a rigid vehicle unless it is broken down. Usually there is no other reason for such a vehicle being towed but just in case other cirumstances arise it should be remembered that the towed vehicle must be broken down.
The second point is that an articulated vehicle when being towed is, for the purpose of regulations, considered to be two trailers except that if the articulated vehicle is broken down and is unladen, then according to paragraph 69 (3) of the 1960 Road Traffic Act the outfit is only counted as one trailer and therefore may be towed by a rigid vehicle provided the 24 tons gross train weight limit is not exceeded.