Van Dooren DRV 4200

The DRV 4200 has an unladen weight of just 620 kg, leaving a payload of around 2,880 kg, a high figure for its weight class. At a length of 8,700 mm and a width of only 1,760 mm, the build is noticeably long and narrow, a shape typical for carrying slender, elongated loads. Six wheels on a 6,730 mm wheelbase spread the load across almost the whole length and support the structure at several points.

Long, narrow trailers of this kind carry boats, masts or other bulky but light cargo, where length rather than weight drives the design. The overrun brake engages automatically through the coupling when the towing vehicle brakes; driving licence category B is enough with most passenger cars, provided the combination's permitted gross weight is not exceeded.

When buying used, check the rollers or bunks carrying the load and their wear. Axles and their mounts on long chassis suffer most at the outer support points, where rust readily takes hold in enclosed sections. The overrun coupling, handbrake and lighting belong on the checklist along with tyre condition, since infrequently used trailers tend to age rather than wear down. The coupling head with its wear-indicator ring, the overrun brake's breakaway cable and a working light socket also belong on the pre-purchase checklist.