Factsheet 13d — February 2005

Printable version (one file)

Trailers: Light simple trailers

What is a light trailer?

Light trailers are vehicles:

• without motive power (ie, they don't have pedals or a motor to drive the wheels)
• with a maximum gross vehicle mass (usually specified by the manufacturer) of 3,500 kilograms or less. (The gross vehicle mass includes the maximum load that the trailer can carry.)

'Light trailers' includes class TA trailers (up to 0.75 tonnes) and class TB trailers (0.75 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes).

What is a simple trailer?

A simple trailer is the most common type of light trailer. Most boat trailers, caravans, and garden trailers are simple trailers.

A simple trailer has one, two or three axles arranged close together in an axle set. This is attached to the towing vehicle behind the axle closest to the rear of the vehicle.

For details on other types of trailer (full, semi, simple, pole, A- and B-train), read Factsheet 13c Trailers: Full, semi, simple, pole, A- and B-train.

All the dimension requirements for heavy trailers in Factsheet 13c apply to light trailers, except that:

• light trailers have no minimum ground clearance (but if the suspension has been modified to less than 100 mm ground clearance, it will have to be approved by a Low Volume Vehicle Certifier)
• vehicles towing light trailers don't have to meet the tow coupling positions specified for heavy trailers
• the maximum rear overhang for light trailers is 4.0 metres.

Loading and towing a light simple trailer

Read the requirements for loading and towing a light simple trailer.

Maximum width for a light simple trailer

The maximum width for a light simple trailer (including its load) is 2.5 metres (excluding side marker lights and direction indicators and the bulge towards the bottom of the tyre). An additional 25 mm is allowed on each side of the vehicle for ropes, lashings, straps, chains, connectors and tensioning devices that are neither permanently nor rigidly fixed to the vehicle; or J-hooks (to secure stock crates or bins).

Overall length for a light simple trailer

The maximum overall length for a light simple trailer (including drawbar and load) is 11.5 metres. For a towing vehicle and simple trailer combination (including load, but excluding collapsible mirrors), the maximum length is 20.0 metres.

Maximum height for a light simple trailer

The maximum height for a light simple trailer (including load) is 4.25 metres. You're allowed an extra 25 mm above 4.25 metres for tarpaulins, covers and lashings, straps, chains, covers and related connectors and tensioning devices which aren't permanently or rigidly fixed to the vehicle.

All vehicles must be loaded in a safe manner, with a height appropriate to the type of load.

Rear axis specifications

If the trailer has only one axle, the rear axis is at the centre of that axle.

If the vehicle has two axles in a set, the rear axis is midway between the centres of the axles.

If the vehicle has three axles in a set, the rear axis is midway between the extreme axles of the set.

Maximum forward distance

For a simple trailer, forward distance means the distance from the rear axis of the trailer to the centre of the point of attachment on the towing vehicle.

The maximum forward distance is 8.5 metres.

Maximum rear overhang

Rear overhang means the distance from the rear axis to the rear of the vehicle or its load, whichever is greater. The maximum for all light trailers is 4.0 metres.

Minimum ground clearance

There are no minimum ground clearance requirements for light trailers (but if the suspension has been modified and the ground clearance is less than 100 mm, it will have to be approved by a Low Volume Vehicle Certifier).

Maximum front overhang

For simple trailers, front overhang means the distance from the centre of the tow coupling to the foremost point of the vehicle (including its load). The maximum for light simple trailers is 2.04 metres radius arc ahead of the tow coupling.

Tow coupling requirements

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure the trailer is safely and securely attached to the towing vehicle by an adequate tow coupling.

For a vehicle towing a light simple trailer, the tow coupling position can't be more than the maximum rear overhang allowed for that type of towing vehicle (see the appropriate factsheet for the towing vehicle).
Factsheet index

Please note that the maximum allowable length and forward distance of rigid motor vehicles is less if they are towing a trailer.

Intervehicle spacing

Intervehicle spacing means the distance between the towing vehicle (excluding the tow coupling shroud) and the trailer (excluding the drawbar but including the load). The maximum for light simple trailers is 4.0 metres.

There's no minimum spacing. The trailer (or its load) can overhang the towing vehicle.

Outside turning circle

The combination rigid vehicle and trailer or trailers (excluding collapsible mirrors) must be able to complete a 360 degree turn, to the left and to the right, within a circle of 25.0 metres diameter (wall to wall).

No part of a vehicle in a combination, other than its tow coupling, may come into contact with another vehicle in the combination.

Where you can find out more

See Land Transport Rule 41001: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.

Contact Land Transport New Zealand:

• Email us: info@landtransport.govt.nz.
• Phone our Helpdesk: (freephone) 0800 699 000.
• Write to us: Land Transport New Zealand, PO Box 2840, Wellington.