I'm pretty certain you do need a tacho. I'm not 100%sure on the weights etc but if the chipper you are pulling is for hire and reward and you are over 50 kms from base then you need a tacho. You see loads of Transits etc pulling plant trailers with mini diggers on the back and as these diggers are " tools for a job" and they are within the 50 km radius of their base they don't need one. I've run without one for years and never had an issue from plod but VOSA pulled me on the M6 late last year in my vw Caravelle with twin axle trailer and as I was over 50km from Manchester and the goods I was carrying were NOT tools for my job but goods for hire or reward. I was slapped with an enforcement order and told not to use the trailer again without a tacho or risk a £2000 fine for the offence. The trailer hasn't turned a wheel since. If you are still unsure and whilst you are traveling stop and ask one of the many VOSA guys that are normally parked up all over the country. These are the guys to ask, not plod, they haven't got a clue. Check the Internet, you'll find loads of people that have had to fit tacho's in their vw Touregs, Nissan Navaras even Discos and Defenders.

Peter33 wrote:

Thank you all for your contributions and helpful answers! As you can read it's a very grey area

Maybe the guys in the Hi Vis Jackets are the only ones who will know

Last edited by dunroof on 2nd Jan 2013 7:21 am. Edited 1 time in total

phone your local vosa testing station and ask  rainy-city
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