Young Pretender Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Came across these looking into trailers and wondered whether anyone has one, or come across them at all? They seem to go for a little less than the BJ equivalent and look rather nice - although I'm sure that's no good basis on which to choose a trailer. Look well equipped and good size, but can't seem to find any reviews. http://www.eco-trailer.co.uk/enclosed-race-trailers/tempo-covered-car-trailer/ (This is their TEMPO model) Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTR2Turbo Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I have seen these and they seem to be based on the old BJ RS5 I have owned 3 RS5 and still have one. The spec and quality is a different league to the one above. main thing missing is the side doors. But they do look good value for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 They do a version with side doors too. How useful are these from a practical pov? I've not owned a trailer before. Any chance you could call out any specifics where the quality falls short? Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTR2Turbo Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 It depends what cars you will be carrying but not possible to drive most cars in and get out without the lifting side doors and it is much easier to tie down with the front access doors that RS5 has. The tilt bed RS5 was costing about 10.5k plus VAT before BJ stopped selling a couple of years ago. I have only seen one in the flesh and the detailing of the rear lights, doors and chassis just seemed a notch down from brian james standard. But if you need a large covered trailer it is good value new. When the time comes to sell though BJ name will make life a lot easier. You might also want to check your towing vehicle limits. The RS5 really needs a 3.5 tonne capacity tow vehicle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 You won't find a V8 in that trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 It depends what cars you will be carrying but not possible to drive most cars in and get out without the lifting side doors and it is much easier to tie down with the front access doors that RS5 has. The tilt bed RS5 was costing about 10.5k plus VAT before BJ stopped selling a couple of years ago. I have only seen one in the flesh and the detailing of the rear lights, doors and chassis just seemed a notch down from brian james standard. But if you need a large covered trailer it is good value new. When the time comes to sell though BJ name will make life a lot easier. You might also want to check your towing vehicle limits. The RS5 really needs a 3.5 tonne capacity tow vehicle Thanks for this, it's really helpful - I do have a vehicle with 3.5 tonne towing capacity but I need to move it on for something more family friendly and am thinking of the latest model x-trail as a replacement. it has only a two tonne towing capacity. Until you said that I was happy that this was going to be sufficient because the net trailer weight is 920kgs plus 600kgs for a westy so only likely to be using 75% of it's towing capacity. Am I asking for trouble here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wile E. Coyote Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Thanks for this, it's really helpful - I do have a vehicle with 3.5 tonne towing capacity but I need to move it on for something more family friendly and am thinking of the latest model x-trail as a replacement. it has only a two tonne towing capacity. Until you said that I was happy that this was going to be sufficient because the net trailer weight is 920kgs plus 600kgs for a westy so only likely to be using 75% of it's towing capacity. Am I asking for trouble here? Yes, potentially you are - it's all about what the trailer COULD carry (plated weight) instead of the actual load. 3.5t max trailer behind 2t capable vehicle is a no no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Ashcroft Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I thought that only applied to caravans with a stated MTPLM not general trailers. Below is an extract from a magazine feature my brother did on this very subject Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted November 7, 2014 Author Share Posted November 7, 2014 Well I've tried looking into this and I can find many different interpretations of the rules.. VOSA's website is useless and has only a few lines on the subject - one of it's publications states that they 'recommend' a braked trailer and load does not exceed 80-85% of the towing vehicles OWN weight (this aligns with my initial view so long as the towing vehicles braked towing capacity is not exceeded) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211965/quick-guide-to-towing-small-trailers.pdf National trailer and towing association align with Wile's view http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/preparing/preparing.aspx Barry, sorry mate but I just don't understand the article posted - the gross train weight is the fully loaded trailer and tow vehicle, according to vosa's website. how can it exceed itself (in effect)? Or am I going mad from starring at the rules for too long! How are you supposed to stay the right side of the law when it's so bl**dy ambiguous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Ashcroft Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Read it again. It makes sense to me. Basically for trailers it's the actual weight you are towing, with caravans it's the theoretical max weight of the caravan which determins wether your vehicle can legally tow it not the actual weight. Your caravan could be plated for a MTPLM of 1520 kg, it could in fact fully loaded only weigh 1450kg but if your tow car is played to toe a maximum weight of 1500kg it's illegal for you to use that vehicle. A trailer can be plated to carry 2700kg your tow car played to tow 2000kg as long as the loaded trailer does not exceed 2000kg your legal to tow it. So the max gross train weight of both can exceed the max gross train weight of the tow car on paper but not in reality. Pm me your email and I'll send you the full article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wile E. Coyote Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I'm not sure I agree Barry. This page: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/car-towing-weight-and-width-limits states: "Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet. Alternatively the vehicle’s gross train weight may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door. The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded. If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing." To me it seems very clear that it is the load the trailer could carry rather than what it is actually carrying. Presumably because the former can easily be checked by plod at the roadside (by looking at the plates) whereas the latter would require a weighbridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Ashcroft Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Nope I asure you I'm right, the article was written by my brother who is a motoring journalist and was done in conjunction with the dvla/vosa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wile E. Coyote Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I am aware of a VOSA statement on commercial vehicles that gives the same interpretation as your brother's, but have never seen an equivalent for passenger cars so have always erred on the side of caution given the contradictory advice that seems to be out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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