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Section 12 - Light Trailers & Caravans

Caution: Be extremely careful when inspecting uncoupled trailers, particularly if they do not have a parking brake - use wheel chocks if necessary.

 
12.1 Inspect the condition of visible brake components
Reasons for rejection

  1. where visible, any brake component is leaking, or is not securely mounted;
  2. any cable operating a brake is missing, broken or frayed;
  3. any wiring for electric brakes is disconnected, frayed,  bared or insecure;
  4. where hydraulic brakes are fitted, the level of brake fluid is below the minimum indicated level
  5. any brake component is seized, severely corroded or inoperative or, where visible, is worn beyond manufacturer's limits

12.2 Brake testing of trailers fitted with override brakes.

 Where possible, test any override brake system by compressing the brake actuating device and attempting to move the trailer (usually this can only be carried out where a parking brake is fitted to the trailer - see 12.4).

NOTE: A roller brake tester can be used to test override brakes but extreme caution is needed.
 Reasons for rejection

  1. The brakes do not retard the movement of the trailer;

12.3 Brake testing of trailers fitted with brakes other than override brakes.

With the trailer attached to the tow vehicle, apply the trailer service brake and attempt to move the trailer forward.
Reason for rejection

  1. The brake does not retard the movement of the trailer;


12.4 Where fitted, test the parking brake

NOTE: Under the ADRs, most light trailers with override brakes are not required to have a parking brake. However, a suitable device can usually be very easily incorporated into the actuating mechanism and they are highly recommended for improving safety when the trailer is uncoupled from a hauling vehicle.

Apply the parking brake and attempt to move the trailer. The trailer may be coupled to a hauling vehicle for this test but ensure that the transmission is in neutral and the brakes are off.
 Reason for rejection

the park brake does not retard the movement of the trailer or combination.

12.5 Visually inspect the trailer coupling, drawbar and mountings on the trailer body

Reasons for rejection

  1. any coupling component is loose, or is cracked;
  2. the drawbar is not securely mounted, or is cracked;
  3. any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads have advanced corrosion;
  4. the coupling does not display the gross mass rating and the manufacturer's name or trademark;
  5. where any part of the coupling or drawbar is removable, the bolts, studs, nuts etc. fastening those parts do not have locking device such as U-clip, split pin, spring washer, nylon lock nut.

12.6 Visually inspect safety chains or ropes.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. any trailer without breakaway brakes is not fitted with at least one safety chain or wire rope;
  2. any safety chain or wire rope touches the ground (when coupled to the hauling vehicle), or its length is such that it prevents any breakaway protection device from operating;
  3. the safety chain(s) or wire rope(s) are not permanently attached to the drawbar;

NOTE: Attachment of safety chains or wire ropes to the drawbar by shackles is not permitted.

  1. if a trailer breakaway protection system is not fitted, the size of the chain or rope and shackles is less than that specified in the following table;

 Minimum chain and shackle sizes

AGGREGATE TRAILER
MASS (ATM)

MINIMUM CHAIN SIZE
OR WIRE ROPE SIZE

SHACKLE BODY
DIAMETER

Up to 1000kg

Over 1000kg up to 1600kg

Over 1600 kg up to 2500kg

6.3 mm

8.0mm

10.0mm

9.5mm

12.7mm

12.7mm
  1. on rigid drawbar pig trailers in excess of 2.5 tonne gross trailer mass there are less than two chains of a diameter specified in the following table, and there is at least one chain which is not positioned such that it prevents the drawbar from touching the ground when the drawbar is detached.

 NOTE: A "pig trailer" is a typical trailer with one axle group and a rigid drawbar. A "dog trailer" has two axle groups and a hinged drawbar.

Minimum chain sizes

AGGREGATE TRAILER
MASS
(ATM)

MINIMUM CHAIN
SIZE (2 of)

2500 to 4500 kg

Over 4500 kg
up to 7500 kg

 Over 7500 kg
up to 13500kg

7.1mm


9.5mm

12.7mm

 
12.7 Visually inspect all suspension components.

Reason for rejection

  1. any suspension component is broken, cracked, missing, not secured, or can be seen to have been repaired or modified by heating or welding or is worn beyond manufacturer's limits;
  2. any nut, bolt, or locking device is not secured or is missing;
  3. with the wheels raised, the vertical free play of the wheel exceeds 3mm;

Section 12 Vertical Free Play

  1. with the wheels raised, the free play of the wheel measured at the rim exceeds 6mm in total or 3mm from any component part.

Section 12 Max Free Play

NOTE: The free play measurement given is a guide only, and manufacturers' tolerances take precedence in all cases when performing these checks.

12.8 Visually inspect the inside and outside of each road wheel.Reasons for rejection

  1. any wheel or rim is cracked, has pieces of a casting missing, or is buckled;
  2. the wheel nut does not engage the thread of the wheel stud for the full length of the nut, or the fitting of the wheel nut does not match the taper of the wheel stud hole (where these can be seen without removing hub-caps);
  3. any hub has missing or broken wheel mounting nuts, studs or bolts (where these can be seen without removing hub-caps);
  4. any spoked wheel has missing, loose, cracked, broken or bent spokes;
  5. the tyre or rim fouls any component at any point over its full range of travel.

12.9 Visually inspect each road tyre.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. the tyre has less than 1.5mm tread depth on the surfaces which normally contact the road;
  2. the tyre has deep cuts, bulges, exposed cords or other signs of carcass failure.

12.10 Check the operation of doors, gates and flap.

 Reason for rejection

  1. any door, gate or flap cannot be fastened securely in the closed position.


12.11 Visually inspect body panels, chassis and frame.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. exterior body work and fittings have sharp edges due to rusted panels or body damage, or protrusions that could cause injury to a person coming into contact with the trailer;
  2. any structural member such as chassis or frame, or, in the case of frameless trailers, any floor or side panel, is cracked or has advanced rust.


12.12 Inspect the mudguards.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. mudguards are not fitted to all wheels;
  2. any mudguard does not cover the full width of the tyre, or meet the requirements shown in the illustration below.

NOTE: For a trailer built to be used off-road, dimension A need not be less than 300mm

Section 12 Mudguard

12.13 Visually inspect the number plate.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. number plate cover is tinted, reflective, rounded, or bubble like;
  2. the number plate is obscured, damaged or faded to the extent that the registration number is not legible from a distance of five metres;
  3. the number plate is not issued or approved by the Registrar.

12.14 Visually inspect compulsory reflectors fitted to the rear of the vehicle.

 Reason for rejection

  1. red rear reflector(s) are damaged, discoloured, deteriorated or missing (note: reflectors may be incorporated in the lamp assembly).


12.15 Visually inspect and check the operation of all lights fitted to the vehicle.

 Reasons for rejection

  1. any of the following lights do not work or has incorrect colour:
  • tail lights (red)
  • brake light(s) (red)
  • turn signal indicator lights (yellow)
  • clearance lights (white/red))
  • side marker lights (yellow)
  • number plate light (white)
  1. any of the above lights is damaged or deteriorated to the extent that white light shows to the rear of the vehicle, or in the case of any side marker lights, any white light shows to the front of the vehicle;
  2. the number plate light is not directing light on to the surface of the rear number plate;
  3. any wiring for compulsory lights is frayed or bared or is insecure to the extent that it is likely to be damaged;
  4. lights as follows are not fitted to pre 3rd Edition vehicles (passenger and light goods vehicles and light omnibuses) (dimensions at centre of lights):

 At front of vehicle:

  • 2 White clearance lights (if vehicle built after 6/88 and vehicle more than 2.2m wide), min 500mm and max 1500mm off ground, max 150mm inboard of vehicle side;

 At Side of vehicle:

  • 2 Yellow to front, red to rear side clearance lights (where vehicle is more than 2.2m wide and/or 7.5m long), min 500mm and max 1500mm off ground, max 150 inboard, max 300 mm from rear of vehicle (in middle if vehicle over 7.5m long);

 At Rear of vehicle:

  • 2 (1 prior to 7/88) Red tail lights, max 1500mm off ground, min 600mm apart, max 400mm inboard of side of vehicle (single light located in centre or right side of vehicle);
  • 2 Red reflectors, max 1500mm off ground, max 400mm (250mm if vehicle more than 2.2m wide) inboard of side of vehicle;
  • White registration plate lamp/s, to illuminate registration plate;
  • 2 (1 prior to 7/88) Red stop lights, min 350mm and max 1500mm off ground (single) light to be in centre or on right side of vehicle);
  • 2 Yellow (red permitted prior to 1/73) turn signal indicators, min 400mm and max 1500mm off ground, min 600mm separation.