Q: Trailer GLW: 0kg - 2000kg

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of GLW Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked; It must be fitted with a safety chain (compliant with ADR62 Determination of 1995), connected between the towing vehicle and the trailer. The load must not be transferred to an un-braked axle during braking; and Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr. It is critical to consider the towing capacity of the towing vehicle when towing a non-braked trailer.

Q: Trailer GLW: 2001kg – 2500kg

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of 2001kg ≤ GLW ≤ 2500kg must be fitted with service brakes, but a parking brake is not required. The service brakes may be either indirect braking or direct braking systems and must meet the following requirements: Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked; The load must not be transferred to an un-braked axle during braking; Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr; and The coupling system must show the manufacturer’s load rating corresponds with the GLW the trailer. It must also be fitted with either two (2) crossed safety chains (compliant with ADR62 Determination of 1995), mechanical connections between the towing vehicle and the trailer, or an emergency breakaway brake.

Q: Trailer GLW: 2501kg – 3500kg

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of 2501kg ≤ GLW ≤ 3500kg must be fitted with direct service brakes, a break-away brake system, and an independent mechanical parking brake. Safety chains are not required because the emergency break-away brake system is installed. The service brakes must be a direct braking system, and must meet the following requirements: Must be fitted with an in-cab brake controller; and Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr. The parking brake must be a mechanical brake, independent of the service brake, and meet the following requirements: Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked; Must be capable of stopping the trailer within a distance of 18 meters from a speed of 30km/hr, or alternatively, be capable of holding the trailer at rest on a slope of 1 in 5.

Question 1

Introduction

Accepted Answer

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) introduced a new regulation, the Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002 (Rule 32014), on 1 April 2002. This rule sets the safety requirements and standards of brake systems installed on all Light Vehicles and Light Trailers, new and existing, with a Gross Laden Weight (GLW) of up to 3500kg. The Gross Laden Weight refers to the maximum combined weight of the trailer and payload. A summary of the brake requirements with respect to the Light Trailer GLW categories not exceeding 3500kg is given below.

Question 2

Trailer GLW: 0kg - 2000kg

Accepted Answer

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of GLW < 2000kg do not require service nor parking brakes. However, if brakes are fitted, then the following requirements apply:

Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked;
It must be fitted with a safety chain (compliant with ADR62 Determination of 1995), connected between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
The load must not be transferred to an un-braked axle during braking; and
Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr.

It is critical to consider the towing capacity of the towing vehicle when towing a non-braked trailer.

Question 3

Trailer GLW: 2001kg – 2500kg

Accepted Answer

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of 2001kg ≤ GLW ≤ 2500kg must be fitted with service brakes, but a parking brake is not required. The service brakes may be either indirect braking or direct braking systems and must meet the following requirements:

Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked;
The load must not be transferred to an un-braked axle during braking;
Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr; and
The coupling system must show the manufacturer’s load rating corresponds with the GLW the trailer. It must also be fitted with either two (2) crossed safety chains (compliant with ADR62 Determination of 1995), mechanical connections between the towing vehicle and the trailer, or an emergency breakaway brake.

Question 4

Trailer GLW: 2501kg – 3500kg

Accepted Answer

Trailers with a Gross Laden Weight of 2501kg ≤ GLW ≤ 3500kg must be fitted with direct service brakes, a break-away brake system, and an independent mechanical parking brake. Safety chains are not required because the emergency break-away brake system is installed.

The service brakes must be a direct braking system, and must meet the following requirements:

Must be fitted with an in-cab brake controller; and
Combined with the towing vehicle’s service brakes, must be capable of stopping the combination of towing vehicle and trailer within a distance of 7 meters from a speed of 30km/hr.

The parking brake must be a mechanical brake, independent of the service brake, and meet the following requirements:

Both wheels of at least one axle must be braked;
Must be capable of stopping the trailer within a distance of 18 meters from a speed of 30km/hr, or alternatively, be capable of holding the trailer at rest on a slope of 1 in 5.

NZTA Brake Regulations