At Lochiel Trailers, most of our trailers are designed for more than 3500kg, but we offer both 2500kg and 3500kg ratings depending on the type of trailer your towing needs. Uprated components like brakes and couplings cost more - but that means you can tow more.
Here's how it all works:
Here's how it all works:
Brakes: The legal requirements
There are three classes of light trailers:
The weight of the trailer is measured when it's coupled to the towing vehicle, but the towing vehicle is not on the weigh bridge. Overloading a trailer puts you and others at risk, and there are also significant legal penalties. Getting the correct braking and coupling for your trailer can save lives (and your license!) And remember, it is the driver's legal responsibility to get this right!
- Up to 2000kg there are no legal requirement for brakes.
- From 2000kg to 2500kg - Brakes must be fitted to at least one axle.
- From 2501kg to 3500kg - Brakes must be fitted to at least on axle AND have an independent parking brake.
The weight of the trailer is measured when it's coupled to the towing vehicle, but the towing vehicle is not on the weigh bridge. Overloading a trailer puts you and others at risk, and there are also significant legal penalties. Getting the correct braking and coupling for your trailer can save lives (and your license!) And remember, it is the driver's legal responsibility to get this right!
Rated: What does it mean?
The "Rating" sticker on a towbar indicates the maximum load the towbar is designed to tow safely. Anything more is illegal, and the towbar may fail.
On a trailer, the rating indicates the combined weight of the trailer and its load when connected to the tow vehicle. In simple terms, for a 3500kg rated trailer, if the trailer weighs 600kg, the load can be up to 2900kg.
As a general rule, most cars are rated for about 800kg, and most 4-wheel drive Utes are rated for 3500kg. Electric Utes are rarely rated to more than about 1200kg. Check your vehicle towing specifications to understand more - or call us for help.
On a trailer, the rating indicates the combined weight of the trailer and its load when connected to the tow vehicle. In simple terms, for a 3500kg rated trailer, if the trailer weighs 600kg, the load can be up to 2900kg.
As a general rule, most cars are rated for about 800kg, and most 4-wheel drive Utes are rated for 3500kg. Electric Utes are rarely rated to more than about 1200kg. Check your vehicle towing specifications to understand more - or call us for help.
Braking systems
ElectricStandard on all our trailers (up to 2500kg) requiring brakes.
The electric brakes are powered from trailers standard lighting circuit. You apply the brakes in the tow vehicle and the trailer brakes are activated. The trailer-mounted dial shown above controls the amount of braking provided by the trailer. |
Credo (electric or hydraulic)Similar to the Standard electric brakes but rated for trailers up to 3500kg.
Credo requires no special wiring and comes with an in-cab USB-powered control unit. This unit communicates with the trailer wirelessly and allows the operator to increase or decrease the brake gain. The in-cab unit provides flexibility (works in any vehicle with a USB port) and can be used to operate both electric or hydraulic brakes. |
Hygo (hydraulic)The ultimate in flexibility, Hygo is both the trailer hitch and the braking control system.
The hitch itself is works for both 1 7/8ths and 50mm tow balls. The coupling also contains a spring mechanism which operates the trailer brakes. Hygo includes automatic reverse sensing and a hydraulic connection to the brakes. |