The call comes after research undertaken by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles found that 53% of van drivers didn’t know their vehicle’s maximum load carrying capacity, and nearly half of businesses do not monitor the weights of company vehicles on a regular basis. In 2015, the DVSA stopped over 10,800 vans on UK roads and found 89% to be driving overloaded.
On a UK full car licence, anyone can drive up to 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). However when adding a trailer, the laws become more complicated, with restrictions on a permissible vehicle and trailer weights for those who obtained their driving licence after 1997.
Going above these weights (without the right licence) or a tachograph being fitted can lead to large fines for businesses. Companies can also potentially face a court summons and even immobilisation of the vehicles for failing to comply.
Using the wrong vehicle for towing can also affect driving performance, for example reducing acceleration and increasing stopping distances, particularly in the wet, and can cause long term detrimental damage to the vehicle.
Trevor Hodgson-Phillips, head of service and parts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Towing can cause a serious legal minefield for businesses and damage to vehicles. We aim to help our customers by advising on the right vehicle and towbar fitment to suit their needs. Working hand-in-hand with our customers, we can ensure they have the peace-of-mind their vehicle will be equipped with the correct towbar for the job in hand.”
