Q How will the new braking and plating
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regulations affect compressors and other trailers weighing more than 2 cwt. unladen when these are being towed by a goods vehicle? Do the regulations differ when in the case of towing by car?
AThe relevant braking regulations are
covered in Regulation 60 of the Construction and Use Regulation, 1966, No. 1288. Paragraph one deals with pre-January 1 1968, trailers and paragraph two with postJanuary 1 1968. According to paragraph one trailers carrying plant must have brakes on at least two wheels if the trailer has not more than four wheels and on at least four if it has more than four wheels.
In the case of trailers made after April 1 1938, the brakes must apply to at least half the wheels. Brakes of trailers should normally be applicable by the driver of the drawing vehicle or some other person on it but if the plant trailer does not exceed 45 cwt. in total weight the brakes can be of the overrun type.
Paragraph two of Regulation 60 as well as paragraph one states that the brakes on two wheels at least of the trailer must be able to be set whether it is attached to the drawing vehicle or not, and paragraph two adds that these brakes must be capable of holding the vehicle on a 1 in 6.25 gradient. But as far as main and secondary system brakes are concerned these do not apply to plant trailers unless they are over 45 cwt. in total weight.
To boil it all down it means that the only change for plant trailers weighing 45 cwt. total or less is that they have to have a parking brake capable of holding on a 1 in 6.25 gradient. Plant trailers in this same weight category do not require to be plated.
The regulations apply equally to trailers towed by cars and commercial vehicles,