Towing

[Graham E]

Hi not sure if this is the right section.

 

I have a 25ft Norman Cruiser which I am taking out of the water for refurbishment.

 

I have bought a 30ft trailer (hitch to end) (26ft from winch post)

 

I have read on Gov.uk web site that the maximum length of trailer must not exceed 7 metres. So I am therefore over this straight away.

 

Also the trailer does not have brakes. Is that ok as it appears it never has.

 

I passed my test in 1991 so have the B+E but can not find any information on what to do for my trailer that's over 7 metres.

 

Anyone know?

 

Thanks

Edited July 13, 2014 by Graham E

[Alan de Enfield]

I think if you delve a little deeper there is dispensation for "indivisable loads" - I used to tow a glider trailer that was over 30 feet long, as that was the smallest length the wing section broke down into.

 

Just check the maximum width and maximum overhang over the wheels as that is something the Police are "hot on"

 

Make sure your propellor has a bright orange bag around it (legal requirement I believe)

Make sure the trailer brakes work.Make sure the trailer/boat combination can be legally towed by your vehicle. Many boats over about 23 foot need a Landrover / Rangerover / Discovery (or similar) to legally tow them

[Kae]

You need to know the unbraked towing weight of your vehicle. As above, it's going to have to be a big one!

[Guest]

From parkers.co.uk:

 

"Trailer has no brakes (Unbraked Trailer)

• Maximum 750kg gross trailer weight or half the towing vehicle's kerb weight - whichever is less."

[Alan de Enfield]

Had a quick look and your problem will be that as of 2010 the rules changed and if the MAM (weight of boat, vehicle and trailer) exceeds 3500 kgs you are into a different 'ball game'

 

The weight of a 25' Norman Cruiser is 1360 kgs, the trailer weight should be on the tow hitch but will be 750ks+

The weight of the loaded trailer should not exceed the weight of the car so you are looking at a car weighing 2 tonnes.

This takes you over the maximum 3500 kgs.

 

Either 'risk it' * or take further advice from towing experts, the caravan club, the Police etc etc

 

* Just remember that if the 'tail starts to wag the dog' and an accident happens, and you are overweight then you have no insurance.

 

Edit - hadnt noticed the trailer has no brakes. DO NOT USE THIS ON THE ROAD

 

Any trailer that weighs over 750kgs (with its load included) MUST BY LAW be braked.

It sounds to me as if you have bought a launching trolley which is definately NOT ROADWORTHY.

Edited July 13, 2014 by Alan de Enfield

[Southern Star]

You can't tow a 25' boat on a trailer which doesn't have a braking system. You can take garden hedge clippings to the household tip in an unbraked trailer but that's about the limit.

[Guest]

I used to tow cars on a trailer in my younger days, and there are few things worse than a 30 cwt close couple trailer snaking. As for no brakes on the trailer, I would say don't even consider it if towing behind an average vehicle. OK for a mirror dinghy, but a GRP cruiser on a trailer?

My dad used to tow a 20ft wooden cruiser on a trailer (snipe) and that definitely had an over run braking system. It could still make the old Singer brakes work overtime.

[Alan de Enfield]

Try and return the trailer and get a boat removal firm / person with the correct trailer and tow vehicle to do the job. It'll work out much cheaper than writing off your boat and car and anyone else you run into.

[John Holden]

Once towed a Fordson Major on a borrowed four wheel plant trailer hooked on to the back of my Landrover.

 

I only discovered that the brakes on the trailer did not work when I braked and instead of slowing down, the whole lot started going faster!

That was a new pants job!

[bigray]

As people have said anything over 750kg gross weight is a big no. I pushed it once or twice towing with an Range Rover/ Landy but even that was pushing it. Not worth the risk!

[John Holden]

I don't know if it's true or not but there is a common belief that Landy's are not restricted in the weight they can pull. Fortunately, true or not, it is believed by most traffic police.

 

As an aside, I once saw a Landy towing several hundred tons up a hill. Well not really towing, the tractor unit had stalled on the hill and needed a pull for the torque converter to kick in again.

[Graham Davis]

Not true John, they do have a maximum towing weight, which if I remember correctly is 3.5 tonnes, although I know it can be much greater with care.

[AllenG]

I think if you delve a little deeper there is dispensation for "indivisable loads" - I used to tow a glider trailer that was over 30 feet long, as that was the smallest length the wing section broke down into.

 

 

I fly a Libelle.

A buddy was using a black Suburban to pull an ASH 25 through Montana and when he went through a weigh station (in the US truckers, er, lorry drivers, and large trailer are required to check in at various inspection points along the freeways). The officer asked if he had lost his escort. He had no idea what the officer meant but was allowed to continue. A few miles down the road he was greeted by dozens of police cruisers blocking the highway.

 

Long story short, it seems the military transports drones, cruise missiles, and the like in white trailers with a rudder casing on the back, usually behind black suburbans.

 

After convincing the law that he was indeed transporting a sailplane and not an intercontinental ballistic missile they allowed him on his way--with an escort to the state line.

Edited July 13, 2014 by AllenG

[Peter X]

I fly a Libelle.

A buddy was using a black Suburban to pull an ASH 25 through Montana and when he went through a weigh station (in the US truckers, er, lorry drivers, and large trailer are required to check in at various inspection points along the freeways). The officer asked if he had lost his escort. He had no idea what the officer meant but was allowed to continue. A few miles down the road he was greeted by dozens of police cruisers blocking the highway.

 

Long story short, it seems the military transports drones, cruise missiles, and the like in white trailers with a rudder casing on the back, usually behind black suburbans.

 

After convincing the law that he was indeed transporting a sailplane and not an intercontinental ballistic missile they allowed him on his way--with an escort to the state line.

 

I hope you haven't just broken the US equivalent of the Official Secrets Act, we wouldn't want the mods getting raided by whoever it would be (Special Branch with an FBI agent lurking in the background?).

[AllenG]

I hope you haven't just broken the US equivalent of the Official Secrets Act, we wouldn't want the mods getting raided by whoever it would be (Special Branch with an FBI agent lurking in the background?).

I think the greater danger would be my friend owing back taxes on unreported income given the amount of free rounds he has gotten telling that story.

[bigray]

Most Land Rovers are 3.5t max unless you fit air brakes in which case it becomes 4.5t

 

Edited because my fingers weren't following by brain!

Edited July 14, 2014 by bigray

[Morat]

Jeep Cherokees (-2001) are plated for 3.25tons and Grand Cherokees 3.5tons if you're looking for a cheap tow vehicle. That's with a braked trailer, of course.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Morat

[bottle]

It does not really matter what they 'can tow', there are legal requirements about tow to trailer weight and speeds that can be travelled at.

 

Long time since I towed a trailer, so would have to check again before doing so.

[jam]

You can take garden hedge clippings to the household tip in an unbraked trailer but that's about the limit.

 

I think you will find its a little more than that. 750kg's for a loaded unbraked trailer is quite some weight. For example most folding trailer tents come in at less than this weight. The one I owned (Camplet) came in at 650kg's.

 

Having said that the trailer the OP has purchased does indeed appear to be just a launching trailer and should not be used on the road, even unladen.

[Paul C]

Hi not sure if this is the right section.

 

I have a 25ft Norman Cruiser which I am taking out of the water for refurbishment.

 

I have bought a 30ft trailer (hitch to end) (26ft from winch post)

 

I have read on Gov.uk web site that the maximum length of trailer must not exceed 7 metres. So I am therefore over this straight away.

 

Also the trailer does not have brakes. Is that ok as it appears it never has.

 

I passed my test in 1991 so have the B+E but can not find any information on what to do for my trailer that's over 7 metres.

 

Anyone know?

 

Thanks

 

The simple answer is, you've bought the wrong kind of trailer, probably a launch trailer used on the private land of a boatyard, not on the public highway. Hence no brakes. Its probably designed to be towed by a tractor - does it have a ball hitch or a ring?

 

If you did want to tow a 25ft boat on the public road, it could be done using a 23ft (ie 7m) trailer and the boat overhang the trailer slightly (which is allowable), and of course it would need to be braked for the weight you have in mind. The other way, and is unlikely to be practical, is to use a trailer over 7m and tow it with something over 3500kg GVW (it would need to be twin axle trailer, or more).

 

By the way, the considered length excludes the drawbar and hitch.

 

Your licence (B+E) covers you for the 7m trailer behind a car/van under 3500kg; you'd need C1+E to tow a heavy trailer behind a vehicle 3501-7500kg, if you have B+E due to the time you passed your test, I'm 99% sure you'll have C1+E too. If this is so, you'll probably have restriction code 107 which means all up weight can't be more than 8250kg. If you passed C1+E as a separate test (ie not with your normal driving test for a car, ages ago) you'll not have this restriction and the all up limit is 12000kg.

[gazza]

 

I think you will find its a little more than that. 750kg's for a loaded unbraked trailer is quite some weight. For example most folding trailer tents come in at less than this weight. The one I owned (Camplet) came in at 650kg's.

 

Having said that the trailer the OP has purchased does indeed appear to be just a launching trailer and should not be used on the road, even unladen.

Our little mayland 16 comes comfortably under the 750kg limit, including engine and trailer.

 

Trips to the tip indeed! :-(

[Alan de Enfield]

Our little mayland 16 comes comfortably under the 750kg limit, including engine and trailer.

 

Trips to the tip indeed! :-(

 

Indeed -probably around 350kgs boat and small outboard.

 

But the OPs boat comes in at 1400kgs ( + trailer) so the discussions about trailers with a max all up weight of 750kgs are irrelevant

[gazza]

 

Indeed -probably around 350kgs boat and small outboard.

 

But the OPs boat comes in at 1400kgs ( + trailer) so the discussions about trailers with a max all up weight of 750kgs are irrelevant

Not quite, but I'll let it go :-) it comes in at 650kg with a 9.9 yam four stoke.

 

You are right that it's not relevant to the OP but, sweeping statements like that can lead to a bit of a fall.

And as ever, the ebb and flow of discussion can often stray from the original subject being discussed.

[Alan de Enfield]

Not quite, but I'll let it go :-) it comes in at 650kg with a 9.9 yam four stoke.

 

 

 

Including trailer ?

[gazza]

 

Including trailer ?

Yup! Have a friendly scrapman with a weigh bridge.