Am I okay to drive with the back down on my pickup?

R B Customs

R B Customs

R B Customs

Soldato
Joined
22 Sep 2005
Posts
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Location
Manchester
Hi guys,

I'm doing an ikea marathon tonight and need to know if I can legally drive with the back down on my truck like this? It doesn't stick out more than a meter (it's about 60 cm)

pickup.jpg


My numberplate will not be visable, but I can knock something up to stick on I guess.


cheers,
Rick
 
Legally speaking no, but we do it all the time with our dodge and have never been pulled over.
 
Old Range Rovers and Minis have hinged plates so they fold down as you lower the tailgate. Its an awesome idea if you plan on doing it more often :)

I don't know about the legality of running around with the tailgate open, but I suspect the police would be more concerned with how well the load is secured. Take lots of bungee cords would be my advice :)
 
Half the fun of ikea is buying stuff that clearly won't fit in your car and then trying to squeeze it all in. That's cheating.
 
Don't have a real answer but I can't see how it's any different to people I've seen driving with their taligates opened and tied down with a bit of string, or is that too simplistic a view?
 
griffo_001 said:
Old Range Rovers and Minis have hinged plates so they fold down as you lower the tailgate. Its an awesome idea if you plan on doing it more often :)

I don't know about the legality of running around with the tailgate open, but I suspect the police would be more concerned with how well the load is secured. Take lots of bungee cords would be my advice :)
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awesome :D

It will be well secured... I'm OCD about securing things down with the tailgate up! never driven with it down before. I've got cargo nets, bungees and plenty of rope.

I'll make a token paper reg plate anyway :)
 
Highway Code Says :

98

Vehicle towing and loading. As a driver

* you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits. If you passed a car test after 1 Jan 1997 you are restricted on the weight of trailer you can tow
* you MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer. You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle
* you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously. Make sure any heavy or sharp objects and any animals are secured safely. If there is a collision, they might hit someone inside the vehicle and cause serious injury
* you should properly distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer with heavy items mainly over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. Manufacturer’s recommended weight and tow ball load should not be exceeded. This should avoid the possibility of swerving or snaking and going out of control. If this does happen, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control
* carrying a load or pulling a trailer may require you to adjust the headlights

In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional recovery.

[Laws CUR reg 100 & MV(DL)R reg 43]
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So, as said, its a matter of judgement - Personally I would imagine a large box with appropriate reflective ribbons/jacket over the end with numberplate on display would be fine, I can't imagine a copper giving you any trouble as long as it looks sensible and secure, but if its something like a 20 foot long curtain pole with a razor sharp end of penetrating doom, then probably not best to stick it out of the back
 
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Yes you can, as mentioned above. So long as the load is secure and your lights are visible it shouldn't be a problem. Your plate shouldn't be a problem either as long as you don't get pulled by a cop with a stick up his ass. But if it's a worry just get a bit of cardboard and write the plate on it in marker and stick it to the load.
 
Unscrew your plate & stick it to the rear of the load?

He's probably done it anyway by now & has either been got by the filth or got away.... :D
 
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