Question:
Good Afternoon, please could you tell me what the maximum dimensions for a trailer can be to be towed behind a vehicle operated by a driver with a EB licence. I understand that you can’t exceed the loading weight of a trailer depending on the axle setup, but the actually maximum height, length and width a trailer can be.
Answer:
There are various provisions in place. I copy the dimension regulations for you.
Overall length of vehicle
Reg 221. No person shall operate on a public road—
(a) a trailer which is coupled to a drawing vehicle in such a manner that the trailer and the drawing vehicle cannot swivel in a horizontal plane at the coupling, if the overall length including any drawbar or coupling exceeds one comma eight metres;
(b) a trailer with one axle or one axle unit, other than a semi-trailer—
(i) the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 12 000 kilograms, if the overall length of such trailer, excluding any drawbar or coupling, exceeds 11,3 metres; or
(ii) the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 12 000 kilograms, if the overall length of such trailer, excluding any drawbar or coupling, exceeds eight metres;
(c) a trailer not referred to in paragraph (b), excluding a semi-trailer, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 12 000 kilograms, if the overall length of such trailer, excluding any drawbar or coupling, exceeds 12,5 metres;
(d) an articulated motor vehicle or any other combination of motor vehicles consisting of a drawing vehicle and a semi-trailer, if the overall length of such motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles, including any drawbar or coupling, exceeds 18,5 metres;
(e) a bus-train, if the overall length thereof exceeds 22 metres; Provided that in the case of a rapid transport bus-train, the limit on the overall length shall not exceed 26 metres
(eA) a bus, if the overall length thereof exceeds 15 metres;
(f) any other vehicles, excluding a semi-trailer, if the overall length thereof, including any drawbar or coupling, exceeds 12,5 metres; or
(g) any other combination of motor vehicles, if the overall length thereof, including any drawbar or coupling, exceeds 22 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a breakdown vehicle while towing another motor vehicle.
Provided that equipment fitted to the front of a vehicle to protect its bodywork and lighting equipment and that increases the overall length of that vehicle by not more than 300 millimetres, shall not be taken into account for the purpose of calculation of the overall length of a vehicle: Provided further that the said protection equipment does not include the bumper fitted by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle concerned.
Restriction on combination of motor vehicles
Reg 222. (1) Subject to subregulation (3), no person shall operate on a public road any combination of motor vehicles—
(a) other than a drawing vehicle and one or two trailers;
(b) other than a motor vehicle drawing one other motor vehicle which is not a trailer; and
(c) other than a motor vehicle drawing another motor vehicle which is not a trailer, and a trailer, in the case of an emergency or a breakdown.
(2) Subject to subregulation (3), no person shall operate on a public road a combination of motor vehicles—
(a) consisting of a trailer attached to a drawing vehicle in such a manner that the combination of trailer and drawing vehicle cannot bend in a horizontal plane, if the combined length of such trailer, including any drawbar or coupling and the rear overhang of the drawing vehicle, exceeds three comma one metres;
(b) consisting of a trailer or trailers attached to a drawing vehicle if the length of the drawbar of any trailer in such combination, where such trailer has more than one axle, exceeds two metres: Provided that in the case of an underslung coupling, the drawbar may exceed two metres if the distance between the two vehicles does not exceed two comma five metres.
(3) Subject to regulation 239(2), any combination of vehicles may be towed by a breakdown vehicle if the brake system of the towed combination, excluding the drawing vehicle of such combination, is functional and coordinated with the working of the brakes of the breakdown vehicle.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of subregulation (1), a converter dolly shall, when used in combination with a semi‑trailer, be deemed not to be a trailer.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this regulation, no person shall use a breakdown vehicle or motor vehicle, that must display the information referred to in regulation 245(1)(b)(v), to tow or draw another vehicle on a public road, unless such information is displayed in terms of regulation 245 on such breakdown vehicle or motor vehicle.
Overall width of vehicle
Reg 223. No person shall operate on a public road—
(a) a bus of which the distance between the centre‑lines of the tyres of the two front wheels exceeds one comma nine metres, if the overall width of such bus exceeds two comma six metres;
(b) a goods vehicle the gross vehicle mass of which is 12 000 kilograms or more, if the overall width thereof exceeds two comma six metres; or
(c) any other vehicle, if the overall width thereof exceeds two and a half metres.
Overall height of vehicle and load
Reg 224. No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle together with any load thereon, the overall height of which—
(a) in the case of a double‑deck bus exceeds four comma six five metres; and
(b) in the case of any other motor vehicle exceeds four comma three metres.
Alta Swanepoel and Associates CC
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