#Towing Capacity
Towing Capacity – Which Construction Machine Can I Pick Up With a Trailer?
Before deciding to pick up a construction machine from klarx yourself with a trailer, you should clarify the towing capacity: What towing capacity am I allowed to pull with the combination of my driving license and my vehicle?
In principle, two factors must be considered when picking up with a trailer. On one hand, you must be permitted to operate the respective trailer with your driving license. On the other hand, it is crucial whether your vehicle has sufficient towing capacity to pick up a construction machine. Please also note that your trailer coupling has sufficient tongue load and the load is distributed evenly on the trailer.
Towing Capacity for Driving License Class B
If you only have a standard car driving license (Class B), you are allowed to tow an unbraked trailer with a maximum gross weight of 750kg. This is sufficient to pick up, for example, smaller equipment such as vibratory plates, tampers, etc. with your own trailer. Please note the permissible towing capacity (item O 1./2. in the registration certificate Part I) of the car.
At some rental stations, you can also rent trailers for pickup. The trailers you receive from the rental station are usually braked and already have a tare weight of 400-600kg. That is why, in combination with most mobile equipment such as mini excavators, dumpers, etc., they clearly exceed the weight of 750kg. In this case, the specifications of your vehicle are relevant to whether self-pickup is possible with a Class B driving license.
Towing Capacity: Technical Data of Your Own Vehicle Are Important
In addition to your driving license, the vehicle used for transport plays a decisive role. Here you will find the legal regulations of the StVZO regarding possible towing capacities.
Provided that the permissible towing capacity (item O 1./2. in the registration certificate Part I) is sufficient for the transport of the weight of the respective machine and the trailer used, and the sum of the maximum gross weights of the car and the trailer (item F 1. in the registration certificate Part I) does not exceed 3,500kg, trailers heavier than 750kg can also be moved with a Class B driving license. Additionally, the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (item G in the registration certificate Part I) must be greater than the maximum gross weight of the trailer.
Finally, please note that vehicles with high towing capacities often also have a high maximum gross weight. This frequently causes the maximum combined weight of 3,500kg to be exceeded. In this case, a Class BE or Class 3 driving license is required. Please have your driving license and vehicle documents ready to present at the rental station.
Towing Capacity for Driving License Class BE
With a Class BE driving license, you are permitted to tow trailers with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3,500kg. Please note the permissible towing capacity (item O 1./2. in the registration certificate Part I) of the car. Additionally, the towing capacity must not exceed the maximum gross weight of the towing vehicle.
Towing Capacity for Driving License Class 3
With a Class 3 driving license, you are permitted to tow trailers with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3,500kg. Please note the permissible towing capacity (item O 1./2. in the registration certificate Part I) of the car. Additionally, the towing capacity must not exceed the maximum gross weight of the towing vehicle.
Furthermore, a Class 3 driving license entitles you to drive small trucks up to 7,500kg maximum gross weight as well as a trailer. The towing capacities you can move depend on the date of your driving test. Please inform yourself about which trucks you are permitted to move in combination with which trailer.
Towing Capacity – Combination of Driving License and Vehicle
Before self-pickup, some questions about the trailer and vehicle must be clarified. In addition to this overview, you can also learn about the current legal situation from BMVI and the ADAC. If you have decided on self-pickup, please also note our guidance on load securing.
We point out that exceeding the permissible towing capacity will void your insurance coverage. Additionally, operating an unauthorized combination will result in fines and points. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact one of our klarx experts.
This page was automatically translated from German.