Towing a trailer without lights

[MrMelon]

Do you get in big trouble for this? My car's got a towbar, but no connector for the lights, and I've gotta move a couple of trailer loads of stuff in the next few days.

[Gremlin]

yes... your trailer is not up to warrant of fitness, ie, there is indeed a fine for you, if you get caught...

How much, no idea...

[Motu]

You need lights at night of course - but during the day if the lights of the towing vehicle can be clearly seen then you don't need light.Technicaly a rego and tail.....and reflectors.

[Gremlin]

sure Motu? what about brake lights etc?

listen to motu tho... he knows more than me...

[crashe]

yep I would say, you do have to have them connected between the vehicle and trailor.

Otherwise how the hell are we supposed to know which way you are going to be turning and if you have to stop suddenly.
And hand signals can't always be seen from behind either.

Thats why it is important that they work.

It wont cost that much to get it wired up....

Fine could be anywhere from $150 at a guess, but I am sure one of the local cops on here would tell us the correct fine.

I have followed many trailers with no lights connected up and they are a pain in the butt.... as the load is so high that you cant actually see the vehicle's lights. (indicators and stop lights)

[Motu]

sure Motu? what about brake lights etc?


Tail rego and reflectors are required,but it would only be noticed they are missing at night,during the day will be fine.You don't need indicator and brake lights so long as the drivers ARM signals can be seen.

[MrMelon]

Cheers for that. I'll be doing it before dark so should be ok.

[Flyingpony]

There is a possibility that this tow bar was fitted for the sole purpose to carry a bicycle rack, hence no wires. Might like to get it's weight certification checked out before you throw something more heavier on it.

Not wanting to scare you, but this is something that I remembered when hunting for tow bar a year or so back. It should be still suitable, but might have a weight limit of 1000kg instead of the normal 1500kg or 1800kg you're expecting it to be.

[Timber020]

No lights sucks man, I was testing my racebike on state highway one after midnight, I would wait for a car to go past where I was parked and chase them, following there lights. Problem is you get up to some huge closing speeds before you relise that you need to be getting on the brakes before you rear end the car. I was closing on one car gong way to fast and was on the brakes to slow in time. At the very last moment I saw that he was towing a low trailer and it had no lights. I had to swerve and went around him.

Geez he was irresponsible being on state highway one without trailer lights at night! Us responsible racebike testers should write a letter to someone.

[MSTRS]

There is a possibility that this tow bar was fitted for the sole purpose to carry a bicycle rack, hence no wires. Might like to get it's weight certification checked out before you throw something more heavier on it.

Not wanting to scare you, but this is something that I remembered when hunting for tow bar a year or so back. It should be still suitable, but might have a weight limit of 1000kg instead of the normal 1500kg or 1800kg you're expecting it to be.

Your average car is probably not rated to tow above 500kg. Owner's manual in my 626 s/w states same. Yet I towed a +1000kg boat/trailer without issue.