Q I am an owner-driver operating a Scania LIMO 1150 four-wheeled rigid vehicle.
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now wish to operate this vehicle in conjunction with a drawbar trailer. With extra brake-lines fitted, what will he the legal gross train veight and, as the present MOT test expires in June 1975, is this the hest time to have it replated?
A The maximum total laden weight of a drawbar outfit is contained in Regulation 81 of the Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973.
Your reference to extra brake-lines implies that the trailer will have power-assisted braking. In that case Regulation 81(I) (b) applies. This states that "where a trailer is fitted with power-assisted brakes which can be operated by the driver of the drawing vehicle and are not rendered ineffective by the non-rotation of the engine of the drawing vehicle, the total laden weight of the drawing vehicle, if the drawing vehicle is equipped with a warning device so placed as to be readily visible to the driver when in the driving seat in order to indicate an impending failure or deficiency in the vacuum or pressure system, may equal but not exceed 32520kg." (32.006 tons).
Though the trailer need not be first plated till 12 months after its first use, it would probably be as well to have both vehicles plated together in June when the prime mover becomes due for its annual test.
All the foregoing assumes, of course, that the Scania complies in other respects with the requirements for uprating. According to our records your model has a 145bhp engine (to BS AU 141a standard), and if this is fitted the gross train weight would not be allowed to exceed about 24 tons in any case. You should check with your Scania dealer whether your actual vehicle is approved for drawbar use.
The LB80 rigids which are designed for 32-ton train weights are the 192bhp LB 80HS and LB 801-IS 50.