VIN plate on Surf - URGENT!

[Surf01]

Does your VIN plate show the gross maximum train weight of the vehicle or any other weights? It appears mine doesn't and if I tow anything I am breaking the law. Also nothing on the V5. See here I suspect that many other Surfs do not have weights on the VIN plate.

[Bogus]

Well there goes another law Im quite happy to break. That site on the link has been thrown together and is gobbledygook.

First it tells you that most cars have a maximum weight they can tow and its usually listed in the handbook or spec sheet.

Then it offers the alternative of a gross train weight on the VIN plate
Then it says that if this is not on the VIN plate you cant tow.
Thats not much of an alternative is it. What if you dont have the gross weight on the VIN plate but you do have a max towing weight on the handbook/spec sheet ? Stuff them, I,ll continue to tow my garden and other waste to the dump and any other use of my trailer that I fancy.

[TonyN]

you won't find any official towing weights for a Surf.

Go by specs for a LWB Colorado for a 3rd Gen, same chassis and running gear.

(2800kg max trailer weight)

[Surf01]

I came across the "no weights" on VIN plate "No tow" issue on other sites like VOSA and direct.gov.uk plus the usual suspects. However checking the Construction and Use Regulations couldn't really find any reference to this. However it is an EEC requirement.

[s car go]

I came across the "no weights" on VIN plate "No tow" issue on other sites like VOSA and direct.gov.uk plus the usual suspects. However checking the Construction and Use Regulations couldn't really find any reference to this. However it is an EEC requirement.

I am going to face this problem putting the Surf into the French system. They insist on the vehcle towing weights.
I found,and have used an Ebay seller,who makes up new VIN plates for classics that have lost ID plates.I used him when I registered My Range Rover and the VIN tag was missing. From memory it was about £8. I'm just going to add another Tag with the weights on. If you're that worried,you could do the same.

Regards

Mark

[Surf01]

Does any one know the different weights for the Surf as I may need to get a new VIN plate made up. Need the MAM and Gross train weight. Seems that the Surf does not have a VIN at all, only a frame number.

[TonyN]

Just out of curiousity, why?

You can take official towing weights from US 4Runners or Colorado's of the same year.

Plod would have to prove in court that you've been doing something dangerous, if you've take every care to research the truck and can back it up then you won't get in any trouble.

There are millions of import Surfs, Prados, Shoguns, Bighorns etc.. all happily towing trailers around the country.

[Surf01]

Just out of curiousity, why?

You can take official towing weights from US 4Runners or Colorado's of the same year.

Plod would have to prove in court that you've been doing something dangerous, if you've take every care to research the truck and can back it up then you won't get in any trouble.

There are millions of import Surfs, Prados, Shoguns, Bighorns etc.. all happily towing trailers around the country.

Concerned about getting nicked because if no weights on plate or V5 you should not be towing according to various sources. I was under the impression that on import a VIN was issued when it went through the compliance test as one is required for KIT cars.

[stormforce]

I've towed 3t with my old 2nd gen and i've gone pass police and they have gone pass me and it never bothered them.
My old 3rd gen i had a tractor on the trailor towing and that was a heavy beast to tow

[Surf01]

Googling "4 runner" shows that the maximum braked traler weight is 2200kgs with kerbweight of 1830kgs. It appears that towing the caravan with MTPLM I am well within the towing capabilities. Just concerned about the no weights issue on the VIN plate.

[stormforce]

you will be fine as it is.I would say the only time you need the towing weights is when the vehicle is over a certain weight to start with

[stormforce]

this is the only info i can find on towing regs and nothing says about an extra vin plate
http://www.parkers.co.uk/company-car...hive/Towing/#4

[Surf01]

What I also forgot to mention is that we may want to use the vehicle for towing in the EU and for this we probably would need a "Certificate of Conformity" which apparently you cannot get without the weights. Don't fancy spending any time is a French prison etc. I don't think there is an issue if you are not towing.

[stormforce]

Have a chat with S Car Go as he is in France and will be able to give you a bit more info

[Surf01]

Have a chat with S Car Go as he is in France and will be able to give you a bit more info

Thanks. Not sure if it is required for temporary importation or only for permanent importation.