Towing and trailers·3 questions

QUESTION: Towing and trailers: what are the rules and weight limits?

Answer

Organizing the towing of vehicles and the transportation of trailers requires strict compliance with legal regulations, traffic rules, and technical weight limits. Starting preparation for any trip with a trailer should begin with a basic check of all necessary documentation, including the vehicle registration certificate, the appropriate driver's license category, and a valid MTPL (OSAGO) insurance policy. It is important to remember that the total weight of the road train and the load distribution across the axles are critical for the vehicle's handling.

To properly comply with regulations and ensure driving safety, draw up a detailed checklist before each trip. This list should include checking the reliability of the hitch, the serviceability of safety cables or chains, and monitoring the tire pressure of both the car and the trailer. Be sure to log all identified deviations and maintenance work performed in the vehicle's service history in order to notice component wear in a timely manner.

There are strict limits on the maximum authorized mass of trailers, which depend on your driver's license category.

Drivers with category B have the right to tow a light trailer whose maximum authorized mass does not exceed 750 kilograms.
If the mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms, but the total mass of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kilograms, category B is also permitted, provided that the unladen mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the car.
For heavier road trains, obtaining a BE category or the corresponding subcategory is required, as regulated by traffic rules.

Disregarding weight restrictions leads not only to fines from traffic police officers, but also to a serious deterioration in braking dynamics. A heavy trailer increases the vehicle's braking distance, creates additional stress on the transmission, and can cause skidding at high speeds. Therefore, always cross-reference your car's technical specifications with the trailer's passport data to make the trip completely safe and legal.

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