It all depends on the date you passed your driving exam. If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 you are allowed to tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg that does not need its own brake system. This is enough for three trail bikes, but there are a few things you should know before you start loading them up.
If you have passed before the 31st December 1996 your maximum “all-up” weight for all vehicles is more than eight tonnes.
Most insurers cover third-party damage. Towing is at your own risks.
To tow safely, you need to strap your bike down correctly. You can get three points for a dangerously loose bike and up to £2,500 in fines per load. So, two bikes that are poorly loaded could result in six points and £5,000. If this is your second conviction for unsafe loading in the last three years, then you will be facing a driving ban of up to three months.
The nose weight is the force that is generated by the load at the hitching position when it’s towed, or attached to the tow bar in any other way. The nose weight is the second most important safety factor after the weight ratio of the tow load to the tow car (which shouldn’t exceed 85%). And the heavier the load the greater the need for a large nose weight. It is important to ensure that the nose weight is sufficient, otherwise the traction on the rear wheels could be compromised, and the trailers may snake and cause an accident. For Trailer Parts, visit https://autoandtrailer.com/shop
The nose weight of your car is essential to safe trailering. You can calculate the rate of towing a load based on the nose weight (found in the owner’s guide). If you have a bike trailer that is unbraked (and most are), a Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 can safely tow between 300-625kg, depending on model.
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