Here is an interesting thaught...it might be "instresting" for some.
Now we all know that there is a declared towing capacity and coupling down force, published and declared for pretty
well all modern vehicles.
We also know that pretty
well all modern trailers of all types have a declared trailer mass and many have a declared ball weight.
HMMMM.....now if we get into semantics and pedantics..and the real meaings of the words used in the specifications and legeslation.....things get interesting...instresting.
In the past, it was considered fair game as log as the trailer..at the time of towing...did not exceed the capacity of the tow vehicle.
SO.....If I had a trailer that was good for 2 tonnes, but weighed under 750Kg empty.....it ised to be considered fair game to tow that arround with no brakes as it was under 750kg...and certainly it was not considered a problem that the vehicle did not have a 2 tonne towing capacity.
NOW....if we start throwing arround the real terms that could be used.
If the towing capacity is specified in terms for the trailer of either GVM( gross vehicle mass) or ATM ( agrigate trailer mass)...those terms apply to the trailer loaded or empty and do not change.
SO...if I have a trailer of 2 tonnes ATM,...and the towing capacity is prescribed in terms of ATM...do O need a vehicle with a towing capacity of 2 tonnes to tow it empty...evn though it s mass is 749Kg empty.
HMMM serioulsy think about tjis.
NOW bear in mind, all the heavy vehicle licences are clasified in terms of GVM......." drive a vehicle oc ###GVM and tow a trailer of ###GVM.
The licencing system cares not if the vehicle or trailer is loaded or not.
I'd be interested to see what A, the legeslation states ( semantics) and what the actual enforcement polocy is for light trailers...that is trailers under 4.5 tonnes.
Now the hevy vehicle industry is interesting because to my knoweledge the ratings rule, and what vehicles can legally be connected together is one thing and how they must be loaded is another and both can be a little more complicated.
Just some thaughts for discussion.
cheers