RHA fears overloads
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from rigid GVW rise
by Karen Mile • Plans to increase the gross weight limit of two-axle rigid vehicles could lead to more overloads, warns the Road Haulage Association.
The Department of Transport, which is drafting the necessary amendment to the Construction and Use Regulations, has been told that increasing the total gross weight from 17 to 18 tonnes without increasing permitted axle weights could increase cases of axle overloads. "We expect very few to take advantage of this change and we are worried that it might even encourage people to overload their vehicles," says RHA technical manager Bob Stacey.
Manufacturers usually plate two-axle rigids with a 10.5tonne rear and a 6.5-tonne front axle, although the regs allow 10 tonnes at the front. Under the new rules they could increase the front axle rating to 7.5 tonnes.
Drawbar car transporters are among the most likely vehicles to benefit from the increase in total weight as they can carry the extra weight above and in front of the front axle.