ISO 11406:2001 PDF

Commercial road vehicles — Mechanical coupling between towing vehicles with rear-mounted coupling and drawbar trailers — Interchangeability

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Title (English):

ISO 11406:2001

Commercial road vehicles — Mechanical coupling between towing vehicles with rear-mounted coupling and drawbar trailers — Interchangeability

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 6
Publication date:: May 10, 2001
Edition:: ISO IS 11406 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 43.040.70

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Description (English):

This International Standard specifies the requirements for the various elements and dimensions of towing vehicles with rear-mounted coupling and of drawbar trailers, to ensure interchangeability. NOTE Annex B gives examples of different configurations of vehicle combinations; this International Standard deals only with No. B.1.1. This International Standard is applicable to road trains for commercial transport of cargo of the greatest possible variety; it does not cover dedicated or special combinations. Nor does it specify limitations of maximum gross mass and overall dimensions, which are generally laid down by legislative requirements. Vehicles whose couplings form the subject of this International Standard are not interchangeable with vehicles whose couplings are mounted forward and below (which form the subject of ISO 11407 [1]).

Technical details

Technical committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 40 - Specific aspects for light and heavy commercial vehicles, busses and trailers
SKU: ISO 11406:2001

Abstract

Overview

ISO 11406:2001 specifies dimensional and assembly requirements to ensure interchangeability between towing vehicles with rear-mounted couplings and drawbar trailers. The standard targets commercial road trains designed to carry a wide variety of cargo and addresses the physical interfaces and clearances necessary for safe, repeatable coupling and operation. It does not cover dedicated/special combinations and does not set legal limits for maximum gross mass or overall vehicle dimensions.

Key Topics

Interchangeability dimensions - Requirements that define how towing vehicles and trailers mate reliably.
Distance A (drawbar coupling axis to rear end)
- Must not exceed 550 mm.
- Recommended range 420–550 mm when complying with common vehicle-length and loading-length conditions.
- If A exceeds 420 mm, a device enabling coupling actuation at a maximum distance of 420 mm from the outer body is required.
Front corner radius (dimension C)
- C is the minimum horizontal distance between the drawbar coupling axis and the front corner of the trailer.
- The standard provides a calculation method (clause 2.2) and requires a minimum clearance parameter S ≥ 80 mm to prevent contact under normal operation.
- Annex A gives worked examples (e.g., A = 420 mm, W = 2 500 mm → C ≈ 1 400 mm).
Heights of towing attachments (H)
- Table 1 sets the required heights for towing attachments on the towing vehicle and the drawbar articulation axis on the trailer, by laden mass bands. Examples include:
  - For laden mass ~6–10 t: 700 ±150 mm (towing attachment), 700 ±100 mm (drawbar axis).
  - For ~10–14 t: 850 ±150 mm and 850 ±100 mm.
  - Above ~14 t: 900 ±150 mm and 900 ±100 mm.
Scope limits - The standard excludes couplings mounted forward and below (see ISO 11407) and dedicated combinations where contact/damage is expected.

Applications

ISO 11406:2001 is used by:

Vehicle OEMs and trailer manufacturers to design interoperable coupling systems for commercial fleets.
Fleet operators and bodybuilders to verify fit and clearance for swap bodies and varying load arrangements.
Regulatory and conformity assessment teams to check compliance with interchangeability guidance (complementary to legal limits set by national/regional authorities).

Benefits include reduced coupling-related damage, improved fleet flexibility, and predictable fit across different vehicle/trailer combinations.

Related Standards

ISO 11407 - Couplings mounted forward and below (different interchangeability family).
Directive 96/53/EC - Maximum authorized dimensions and weights (regional legislative context).
EN 284 - Swap body dimensions (referenced for loading-length considerations).

For implementation, consult the full ISO 11406:2001 text for the precise clause wording, dimension tables and annex examples before final design or conformity decisions.

Related standards

Mentioned in the description and other ISO standards

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics

Interchangeability dimensions - Requirements that define how towing vehicles and trailers mate reliably.
Distance A (drawbar coupling axis to rear end)
- Must not exceed 550 mm.
- Recommended range 420–550 mm when complying with common vehicle-length and loading-length conditions.
- If A exceeds 420 mm, a device enabling coupling actuation at a maximum distance of 420 mm from the outer body is required.
Front corner radius (dimension C)
- C is the minimum horizontal distance between the drawbar coupling axis and the front corner of the trailer.
- The standard provides a calculation method (clause 2.2) and requires a minimum clearance parameter S ≥ 80 mm to prevent contact under normal operation.
- Annex A gives worked examples (e.g., A = 420 mm, W = 2 500 mm → C ≈ 1 400 mm).
Heights of towing attachments (H)
- Table 1 sets the required heights for towing attachments on the towing vehicle and the drawbar articulation axis on the trailer, by laden mass bands. Examples include:
  - For laden mass ~6–10 t: 700 ±150 mm (towing attachment), 700 ±100 mm (drawbar axis).
  - For ~10–14 t: 850 ±150 mm and 850 ±100 mm.
  - Above ~14 t: 900 ±150 mm and 900 ±100 mm.
Scope limits - The standard excludes couplings mounted forward and below (see ISO 11407) and dedicated combinations where contact/damage is expected.

Applications

ISO 11406:2001 is used by:

Vehicle OEMs and trailer manufacturers to design interoperable coupling systems for commercial fleets.
Fleet operators and bodybuilders to verify fit and clearance for swap bodies and varying load arrangements.
Regulatory and conformity assessment teams to check compliance with interchangeability guidance (complementary to legal limits set by national/regional authorities).

Benefits include reduced coupling-related damage, improved fleet flexibility, and predictable fit across different vehicle/trailer combinations.

Related Standards

ISO 11407 - Couplings mounted forward and below (different interchangeability family).
Directive 96/53/EC - Maximum authorized dimensions and weights (regional legislative context).
EN 284 - Swap body dimensions (referenced for loading-length considerations).

For implementation, consult the full ISO 11406:2001 text for the precise clause wording, dimension tables and annex examples before final design or conformity decisions.

ISO 11406:2001 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics

Applications

Related Standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics

Applications

Related Standards

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