When are overrun brakes required during the towing of multiple trailers?

Question:

Morning, I have a question: I want to tow my jetski behind my camping trailer. Both a less than 750 GVM and none of the vehicles have then own braking systems. In terms of all other items I saw on your website under this topic I feel I am covered, like maximum length, being able to turn, lights, etc. I am just not clear on the rule for the braking systems. Can you help with an answer on this?

Answer:

Unfortunately not. Regulation 151 determines that a trailer under 750 does not require an overrun brake and trailers over 750 kg up to 3500 kg must have an overrun brake. However if 2 trailers are towed the GVMs must be added together and both trailers will require an overrun brake.

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Brakes on trailers

Reg 151.   (1)    Subject to the provisions of subregulation (4) no person shall operate on a public road a trailer, if –

(a)          the gross vehicle mass of such trailer does not exceed 750 kilograms and the gross vehicle mass –

(i)      does not exceed half the tare of the drawing vehicle, unless such trailer is equipped with a parking brake or other device to keep such trailer stationary;

(ii)     exceeds half the tare of the drawing vehicle but does not exceed such tare, unless such trailer is equipped with a parking brake and either a service brake or an overrun brake; or

(iii)    exceeds the tare of the drawing vehicle, unless such trailer is equipped with a parking brake and a service brake;

(b)          the gross vehicle mass of such trailer exceeds 750 kilograms but does not exceed 3 500 kilograms and the gross vehicle mass –

(i)      does not exceed the tare of the drawing vehicle, unless such trailer is equipped with a parking brake and either an overrun brake or a service brake; or

(ii)     exceeds the tare of the drawing vehicle, unless the trailer is equipped with a parking brake and a service brake;

(c)     the gross vehicle mass of the trailer exceeds 3 500 kilograms, unless such trailer is equipped with a parking brake and a service brake,

and where more than one trailer is drawn by a drawing vehicle, the foregoing requirements shall apply in respect of each such trailer, and in such event the gross vehicle mass shall be construed as the total of the gross vehicle mass of all trailers so drawn.

(2)     The service brake of a trailer shall be capable of being operated by the driver of the drawing vehicle while such trailer and drawing vehicle are in motion.

(3)     If the service or overrun brake of a trailer is capable of being used as a parking brake, a separate parking brake need not be fitted to such trailer.

(4)     Notwithstanding subregulation (1) (c), if a trailer referred to in that subregulation is drawn by a tractorand such tractor is not designed for or capable of operation at a speed exceeding 40 kilometres per hour on a reasonably level road, such trailer may be equipped with an overrun brake in lieu of a service brake.

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Regards

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Safely Towing a Trailer

When are overrun brakes required during the towing of multiple trailers?