#Towing Capacity
Towing Capacity – Which Construction Machine Can I Pickup with a Trailer?
Before you decide to pick up a construction machine from klarx yourself with a trailer, you should clarify the question of towing capacity: What towing capacity can you pull with the combination of your driver's license and your vehicle?
Basically, 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 driver's license. On the other hand, it's crucial whether your vehicle has sufficient towing capacity to pick up a construction machine. Please also note that your trailer coupling has adequate support load and the load is evenly distributed on the trailer.
Towing Capacity for Driver's License Class B
If you only have a standard car driver's license (Class B), you are allowed to tow an unbraked trailer with a maximum permissible total 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 (point O 1./2. in registration certificate Part I) of your car.
At some rental centers, you can also rent trailers for pickup. The trailers you receive from the rental center are usually braked and already have a tare weight of 400-600kg. That's why they exceed 750kg in combination with most mobile equipment like mini excavators, dumpers, etc. by a significant margin. In this case, your vehicle's specifications determine whether a self-pickup with a Class B license is possible.
Towing Capacity: Your Vehicle's Technical Data Matters
Besides your driver's license, the vehicle used for transport plays a crucial role. Here you'll find the legal provisions of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) regarding possible towing capacities.
Registration Certificate Part I with permissible total mass and permissible towing capacity
Provided the permissible towing capacity (point O 1./2. in registration certificate Part I) is sufficient for transporting the weight of the respective machine and the trailer used, and the sum of the permissible total masses of the car and trailer (point F 1. in registration certificate Part I) does not exceed 3,500kg, trailers heavier than 750kg can also be towed with a Class B license. Additionally, the tare weight of the towing vehicle (point G in registration certificate Part I) must be greater than the permissible total mass of the trailer.
Registration Certificate Part I with highlighted permissible total mass F.1 and permissible towing capacity O.1 (braked) O.2 (unbraked)
Finally, please note that vehicles with high towing capacities often also have a high permissible total mass. As a result, the 3,500kg permissible total mass for the combination is often exceeded. In this case, a Class BE or Class 3 driver's license is required. Please have your driver's license and vehicle documents ready to present at the rental station.
Towing Capacity for Driver's License Class BE
With a Class BE driver's license, you are permitted to tow trailers with a permissible total mass not exceeding 3,500kg. Please note the permissible towing capacity (point O 1./2. in registration certificate Part I) of your car. Additionally, the towing capacity must not exceed the permissible total mass of the towing vehicle.
Towing Capacity for Driver's License Class 3
With a Class 3 driver's license, you are permitted to tow trailers with a permissible total mass not exceeding 3,500kg. Please note the permissible towing capacity (point O 1./2. in registration certificate Part I) of your car. Additionally, the towing capacity must not exceed the permissible total mass of the towing vehicle.
Furthermore, a Class 3 driver's license entitles you to drive small trucks up to 7,500kg permissible total mass as well as a trailer. The towing capacities you can operate depend on the date of your driver's license test. Please inform yourself about which trucks you are permitted to operate in combination with which trailers.
Towing Capacity – Combination of Driver's License and Vehicle
Before self-pickup, several questions about your trailer and vehicle must be clarified. In addition to this overview, you can also get information on the current legal situation from the BMVI and the ADAC. If you have decided on self-pickup, please also note our instructions on load securing.
We point out that exceeding the permissible towing capacity voids your insurance coverage. Additionally, operating non-compliant combinations is penalized with fines and points. If you have any further questions, please contact one of our klarx experts.
This page was automatically translated from German.