Dip supports longer domestic drawbars
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• An 18.35m limit for drawbars on EC international journeys from October will also apply to UK domestic trips, says the Department of Transport. But the Freight Transport Association warns that the new rules seem to be over-complicated, and possible retrospective application will cause confusion.
The regulations will allow an increase in overall drawbar length of 0.35m with a total loadbed length of 15.65m. The DTp says the move means hauliers will be able to use the same vehicles on domestic and international trips.
Some UK operators are opposing the proposal because it will cut load space. Under Construction and Use rules operators are currently limited to 18m overall length, but some have managed to squeeze in 16,5m
of load bed by shortening the cab and coupling.
The EC rules lay down a minimum coupling of 0.35m, leaving 2.35m for the cab. Part of the reason for the new regulations is the fact that some drivers in Holland are being made to work in cabs as short as 1.4m. The EC came under union pressure to encourage longer cabs by specifying a maximum rear-ofcab to rear-of-vehicle limit of 16m. Strangely, cab dimensions are not among the plethora of lengths in the new rules.
United Carriers, which runs 126 drawbars, says the 0.7m couplings it uses will limit it to a load length of 15.3m. At present, its cabs are 1.8m long, giving an overall drawbar length of 16.2m including the coupling. This gives it a 15.5m loadbed within the 18m overall C&U limit.