Legal regulations on the carrying and use of wheel chocks on trailers
Small parts – big impact. The even bigger question: Is it mandatory to carry wheel chocks on a trailer? The German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) provide clarity. Section 41 sets out which vehicles and trailers must be equipped with one—or even two—wheel chocks.
How many wheel chocks do I need?
Two-axle trailers with a permissible gross weight of more than 750 kilograms and motor vehicles with a permissible gross weight of more than 4,000 kilograms require a wheel chock. According to the same regulation, the following vehicles must be equipped with at least two wheel chocks: semi-trailers, vehicles with three or more axles, as well as rigid drawbar and central axle trailers with a permissible gross weight of over 750 kilograms.
Correct installation
Because wheel chocks are a legal requirement for the vehicles mentioned, they must always be carried at all times. They must be fitted either in or on the vehicle, using suitable holders.
It is important that the chocks are easily accessible, and the holders must be designed in such a way that the wheel chocks do not rattle and it is impossible for them to be lost.
The effectiveness of the wheel chocks must be verified by the vehicle manufacturer in accordance with Section 41 of the German StVZO. Safety must be ensured when stationary on slopes or gradients of up to 18% at both unladen weight and permissible gross weight.
Incidentally, all AL-KO VT wheel chocks conform to DIN standard 76051, issue 11/92, which is generally recognised across all European countries.
Basic and Plus: Wheel chocks from AL-KO VT
Within its wheel chock product range, AL-KO VT offers a variety of solutions. The silver-coloured BASIC wheel chocks are made of Sendzimir galvanised sheet steel and provide limited protection against corrosion. In the PLUS version—the variant for the highest demands—polypropylene plastic is the material of choice.
The PLUS wheel chocks have a lower weight and offer permanent corrosion protection. For this black model, individualisation with a customer logo is available from 1,000 units upwards. Both product lines offer wheel chocks in various versions and dimensions – with wheel loads from 800 up to 6,500 kilograms per chock. This means users can decide for themselves which variant best suits their requirements.
Since this year, the newly developed UK 53 K-2 wheel chock from AL-KO VT is also available on the market. This offers the key advantage that it complies with DIN 76051 even without anti-slip protection (metal edge). This allows the UK 53 K-2 to be used for hazardous goods applications as well.
For further information on road safety, visit www.alko-tech.com/de.
