All Sankey trailers are now illegal to use on the road, this is due to the
safety features needed
Brakes need to come on if the trailer comes off while in motion
there should be a cable/chain to connect your trailer and towing vehicle
together, plus some other reasons I am not to clear on.
Members of the EMLRA are looking into a solution to the problems.
I will keep you posted.
Kay.
Hi all
Was in a silly mood the other day so driving past MVS went and asked them
how much a sankey was
As expected, silly money but more to the point was told they are not road
legal and they make you sign a disclaimer that you are aware of this and
will not use it on the road
They mentioned lights & brakes being the issue
Anyone have any more information on this
Does this make all sankeys illegal now , even already in private hands or
is
it just a 'we cannot trade in them law' ?
Rich
what nonsense.
I wish people would check facts before posting such misleading articles.
Sadly many companies selling Nato hitches or equivalents do not know the law in this regard either.
Even after checking with VOSA and DVLA websites I was more mystified than ever.
I eventually decided to contact the Norfolk police traffic division to verify the legality of using a ball and pin instead (you can get them deep enough and strong enough to accommodate a Nato hitch).
Being as the towing ring is 75mm and the pin is 25mm then you will get a certain amount of sideways and vertical movement for cross county which whilst not as good as a swivel does accommodate some of that.
The police officer (himself a Landy driver investigated on my behalf).
I was very surprised when he eventually got back to me with the following information.
NATO HITCH IS APPROVED.
Source VOSA.
approval E11 55r-011938
Manufacturer Bradley double lock tested.
most are Bradley.
He actually got the first indication from a defender owners club and then sourced the document from VOSA.
wow thanks cop.
for the rest of the nonsense on the net.
Brake lights which I presume would only refer to early narrow tracks.
Indicator and brake lights were no longer legal as being reversed to current legal requirements.
Solution swop them over.
Indicator on the outside and brake on inside.
very easy job.
Number plate and light must be centered to back of trailer.
again an easy job.
Normally as only 750 kilo weight capacity over run brakes are not required.
But if fitted they still must work or be removed to comply with regulations.
If brakes are retained then a break away cable must be fitted to enable brakes on trailer to be engaged in the very unlikely event of trailer and vehicle separation.
simple job.
cable or chain connected to hand brake pull rod and fit slip pawl on hand brake rachet to ensure brakes remain on.
If brakes removed then fit retaining chain to ensure that trailer is still connected to vehicle.
wider Tyres
as a general rule they must not protrude more than 30mm from body.
I have got around this by welding round steel piping onto wheel arch.
If you look at the trailers in use now with the British army you will notice they have been fitted with plastic mudguards so that is yet another solution.
Nose down is acceptable and actually better provided not excessive.
Again Vosa regs.
we are talking a few degrees of tilt.
a solution to this for some Sankey models is to invert brake cylinder and towing ring'
remove from top of A frame and fit underneath instead.
Lets put this issue to bed once and for all.
.