Trailer Loophole to be Closed
Page 32
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A CTION is to be taken by the
Ministry of Transport to prevent operators' from using combinatiOns either as separate lorries and trailers, or as articulated vehicles, by making a small adjustment to the towing linkage. At present it is possible in some cases to do so.
As a separate lorry and trailer the total legal laden weight is 32 tons, whereas for au i articulatedoutfit it is 24 tons if. the semi-trailer has four wheels and 20 tons if it has two wheels.
The matter came to light a year ago when Frank Ward, of Wolsingham, Co. Durham, was charged with using an articulated vehicle to carry a gross weight exceeding 24 tons. • He contended that that the outfit comprised a separate tractor and trailer. Alnwick magistrates held that the vehicle was in fact an articulated outfit. The chairman suggested that the definition of an articulated vehicle in the Construction and Use Regulations, 1955,. might be modified and clarified.
The Ministry said in a memorandum to interested organizations, issued last week, that the definition was not defective and that any amendment might have far-reaching results. It was never intended; however, that the 32ton weight limit should be applied to a combination which was essentially similar to an articulated outfit, in that the weight of the load was supported partly by the prime mover and not wholly by the trailer.% The Miniitry had in mind pole trailers in which the front end of the load might be carried on the platform of the prime mover.
It is proposed to amend Regulation 70 (1) (b) of the 1955 Regulations to provide that the 32-ton limit shall apply. only if no part of the weight of the load on the trailer is transmitted to the road through any of the wheels Of the prime mover. Interested organizations have to give _their views by May 15.
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The Ward case was reported in The Commercial Motor on 'April 17 and May 11, 1956. It concerned a trailer with a swan-neck drawbar used to carry timber.'