Do We Need an Official Regulatory Body?
Due to the number of discussions, opinions and arguments regarding what is safe, dangerous practices and confusions to what is a rule, a law and a recommendation. There seems to be no definitive instructions where all the information one needs for safe towing
is held, you can make your own trailer or caravan and it would appear that the only restriction is the tyres and the suspension units that govern its MTPLM. The caravan and trailer manufacturers produce their products and stick their labels on for MTPLM and
MRO, The MRO does not seem to be completely applicable to your van but possibly an average of the model as supplied, the MTPLM also appears vague as it is the manufactures marketing decision in some cases and may be increased by re-plating at a cost. The trailer
and caravan manufactures have their own bodies to decide their build standards, but they are not interested in how the customer uses the product, as they are not registered there is no organisation where manufacturing/ design defects can be registered or recalls
for any reason be legally enforced. The various clubs, caravan, horse organisations and boating associations all publish some information and advice, but none state these are the facts, follow them or you may die type publications.
Has the time come now where there is a need for a regulatory body similar to either the RYA or the RAC Motor Sports Division to look at the design manufacture and use of all trailers and classing them with the various uses, then defining the build standard
of each class and how they are used, loaded and maintained.
With a central information site run by an independent body with both manufacture and user organisations on committees with an independent technical committee judging best design and construction, with the teeth to force manufacturers to alter models and
modify legislation. The body could be self financing as with the RYA and RAC MS and would go a long way to ensuring safer towing and perhaps removing the need of suggesting trailer MOT and registration