Q I operate a 1967 16-ton long wheel base Dodge
Page 83
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
K1100 with a 25ft platform body. Could you tell me what length drawbar trailer I could use with this vehicle and at what gross weight could it operate? Could you also tell me the braking requirements for such an outfit?
AThe current maximum legal overall length
for a tractor/trailer combination in Britain is 18 metres (59ft 0.75in.). The length of trailer that you will be able to tow with your vehicle depends on the actual length of the drawbar and the overall length of the towing vehicle. The maximum length allowed for a drawbar is 15ft.
It would be possible to tow a trailer grossing 16 tons (on two axles) provided that the Dodge is plated for a 32-ton-gross combination weight. An unplated four-wheel trailer would be limited to 14 tons and its use would mean that the Dodge could not gross more than 14 tons making the gross combination weight 28 tons in this condition. With a three-axle trailer, however, the combination weight could go up to 32 tons even with an unplated trailer—the Dodge remaining limited to 14 tons, however.
In the case of both parts being plated the braking requirements would be a 50 per cent service brake arid 25 per cent secondary brake. but if operating with an unplated trailer the respective efficiencies would have to be 40 per cent and 15 per cent.