03-10-2016, 12:09 AM
In a word, No.
It's the gross weight (maximum allowable mass) of the car and of the trailer combined.
So as an example my Scooby has a kerb weight of 1500kg but it's maximum weight is 2000kg with luggage and passengers. It has a max braked towing weight of 1500kg.
If I get an Ifor Williams car transporter weighing 500kg with a max gross weight of 3500kg (so maximum of 3000kg load) and tow it with a 900kg car on it although the trailer and load is below 1500kg and the trailer load and tow car weigh less than 3500kg I break the law.
If I take same 500kg Ifor Williams trailer and have a new weight plate made saying it's MGW/MAM is 1500kg giving a max load of 1000kg then plop same 900kg car on it and go towing I'll be fine.
This practice is known as "down plating"
Also gross of trailer needs to be less than gross of car.
Ideally you need something with a 1800kg gross as car transporters tend to be 500-600kg. Also a rallye is 1200kg. You'd really be cutting it fine but it is possible.
Might just be easier doing your towing test and not worrying about the exact weights.
It's the gross weight (maximum allowable mass) of the car and of the trailer combined.
So as an example my Scooby has a kerb weight of 1500kg but it's maximum weight is 2000kg with luggage and passengers. It has a max braked towing weight of 1500kg.
If I get an Ifor Williams car transporter weighing 500kg with a max gross weight of 3500kg (so maximum of 3000kg load) and tow it with a 900kg car on it although the trailer and load is below 1500kg and the trailer load and tow car weigh less than 3500kg I break the law.
If I take same 500kg Ifor Williams trailer and have a new weight plate made saying it's MGW/MAM is 1500kg giving a max load of 1000kg then plop same 900kg car on it and go towing I'll be fine.
This practice is known as "down plating"
Also gross of trailer needs to be less than gross of car.
Ideally you need something with a 1800kg gross as car transporters tend to be 500-600kg. Also a rallye is 1200kg. You'd really be cutting it fine but it is possible.
Might just be easier doing your towing test and not worrying about the exact weights.