Recently, NTTA has been working on an initiative to introduce the UK’s first Free Safety Checkprogram for the light trailer industry.
All trailers, unbraked and braked, up to 3500kg (gross weight) can be taken to a participating NTTA QS Member for the Free Safety Check, which could highlight issues that should be addressed.
Working with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and Central Registration & Identification Scheme, officers ran the first Caravan and Trailer operation of the season at Junction 19 of the A12 trunk road, Chelmsford, near Boreham Services Lorry Park on Tuesday 4th April 2017.
34 vehicles were stopped, 21 of which were towing trailers and 11 towing caravans. Of all the vehicles stopped, only 12 were clear of faults.
Two overweight 3500kg vehicles were found to be 15 per cent over the maximum authorised mass when weighed and the drivers fined £600.
A number of vehicles’ tyres were also over the five-year recommendation and a total of eight vehicles had breakaway cables that were incorrectly fitted, or none fitted at all. Some vehicles towing caravans had no extendable mirrors.
The driver of a trailer with a seized braking system was given a £100 fine and 3 points on his licence for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Of the vehicles that were stopped, four drivers were issued with fines and three licence points after it was discovered they did not have the correct category BE licence.
The NTTA Free Safety Check is a visual inspection only, but will give you an overview on the general safety aspects of your trailer. If suspect items are found, they will be highlighted and you will be given the option to have them repaired.
Items inspected are:
Lights
Electrics
Brake Cables (if applicable)
Tyres (condition )
Tyres (pressures)
Wheel Alignment
Drawbar
Handbrake operation (if applicable)
Breakaway Cable / Secondary Coupling Device
Jockey Wheel Operation
Coupling head operation
Wheel Bearings
General Chassis Condition
General Body Condition
General Floor Condition
Each of the Safety Check record sheets are individually numbered and NTTA will keep a record of the findings.
A customer care Quality scheme monitored and operated by the NTTA who are the voice of the UK light trailer and towing industry. The scheme promotes:
Industry standards
Workshop best practice
Customer service
Professional workmanship
How does a company become Quality Secured ?
Accepts an independent annual assessment that rates:
Customer service
Workshop practice
Customer complaints
Staff knowledge and company training initiatives
Facilities and equipment
Only successful assessment results that match the stringent QS requirements will allow the award of a QS accreditation certificate to be displayed to the public.
How does Quality Secured help the consumer ?
Gives confidence when using any of our services; peace of mind when purchasing goods; knowledge of doing business with an accredited company who will always try to give the best service possible.
Who recommends NTTA Quality Secured members ?
The scheme is recommended and endorsed by over a million members of the towing public including:
