Mike Fox Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Does anyone know the current regulations for towing? Couldn't find a thread on this when I looked. For example - if my car weighs 2,000 kg, what is the biggest load (boat and trailer combined) that can be legally towed on the road? Also, is it actually practical to tow a Category B boat such as a Merry Fisher 695 or Arvor 25 from place to place? Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Does anyone know the current regulations for towing? Couldn't find a thread on this when I looked. For example - if my car weighs 2,000 kg, what is the biggest load (boat and trailer combined) that can be legally towed on the road? Also, is it actually practical to tow a Category B boat such as a Merry Fisher 695 or Arvor 25 from place to place? Thanks, Mike Hi Mike No it is not practical to tow a big inboard like that regularly. One or two people will do it once or twice a year (family holiday, winterising etc). You would still need one of the bigger 4 x 4's to do it. Shaft drive boats are harder than sterndrive boats as you automatically require a steep, deep slipway. I don't have the exact law to hand, but I think the maximum trailer width is 2.3m wheel to wheel and then the overhang each side can be up to .3m? Most cars will state the maximum towing weigh in the handbook. Very roughly: Dinky car like a Corsa etc, would be able to tow up to about 750Kg Medium small car like a Focus will be able to tow about 1250Kg Family car like a Mondeo may well be up at around 1700Kg MPV like a Galaxy and the smaller 4 x 4's like the Honda CRV are around 2000Kg Pick Ups are usually a little under 3000Kg (My L200 is 2700Kg Big 4 x 4s like Land Rovers etc are usually 3500Kg. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Mike, The trailer gross weight cannot exceed the kerb weight of the car. So in your example, a car weighing 200kg, could tow a 2 ton boat and trailer - this is a rough guide and would need checking in the manufacturers handbook. 750kg is the upper limit for an un-braked trailer, after this brakes must be fitted and be correctly working by law. (Believe me, you wouldnt want them not working on anything over 1 ton, unless you have one of the huge 4x4's) Re. towing a cat B type boat. Not practical on a regular basis. OK once or twice a year i.e when the boat comes out for a scrub and clean, but I feel that regular towing and launching ends at 20' ish. Hope this helps? Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 (edited) Mike are you goignt to get a proper fishing boat? Rob Seriously, you need to check your car specs for the limits. I know the caravan club don't recommend towing more than 85% of your cars weight (p.s. Just to be clear, I don't have a caravan!). My dad just bought a caravan 90% of his car weight and took it back to change for one of 82% ish and suggested the difference was remarkable. Edited September 3, 2007 by rob francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted September 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Thanks for all of the concern folks and the replies. I still happen to believe that fishing boats have had masts and sails for many millennia, and who am I to buck tradition ! Trolling for bass under sail is a wonderfully silent experience, for example. Sounds like 1700kg including trailer is about my limit. So what would be the biggest fishing boat from the "patio doors" range that I could legally take home for winters? I have no idea of the weight of a braked trailer, so am still in the dark here! Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 My braked trailer which will take up to around 19ft boat and weighs in at 350 KG. The payload is up to 950 KG so overall weight can be up to 1300 KG which just so happens to be the max towing capacity for my Honda Civic ( although I wouldnt fancy trying to pull a boat this size up a slipway with the Civic ) Ford Mondeo can tow up to 1800 KG but I would suggest that traction will be the issue with pulling a boat up a slipway. Trailer Law A very detailed guide can be found here :- NTTA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 (edited) Hi Mike I might not apply to you but the law change a few years ago regarding towing. The current requirment is that you need to pass another test to tow! check out my web site about towing, see signature for link. Most "family sized" 4/5 door cars have a tow limit of between 1500kgs and 2000kgs depending on the weight and power of the car. As mentioned earlier it is recommended that a max of 85% of maximum load be towed. Regarding width, 2.3mtrs seems to be standard with a number of exceptions. The most important thing to remember is getting the boat up the slip out of the water, this is where the power is required unless you fancy towing up Porlock Hill! Regards Coddy Edited September 3, 2007 by Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 I went round the houses on this one, Mike. Cant fault the info provided by others (except Tom's list of towing cars, starts with the Ford Ka or 'Kant' as it cannot be legally fitted with a towbar ) Practical boat owner did a Report on this back in Feb/March I think... I had to phone VW to get the kerbside weight of my passat as its not in the handbook. The reported towing weight is misleading, as this refers to the weight which can be pulled up a gradient, not the legal or safe weight. I wouldnt go above 85% of the kerbside weight for ability to prevent the trailer snaking and trying to overtake you on long downhill gradients. ( towing back from weymouth this year behind Adam with Ootb, this was the only point the trailer started to move about - did you notice anything Adam ?) I have easily pulled my Orkney out of the water for scrub offs and its no problem as long as there isnt anything like a ledge. I would think my estate is on the absolute limit for safe towing though, and you have to wonder if its really worth the risk. Regarding the launching and recovery - I've been amazed how easy this is, and done it completely single handed given the right conditions (no wind). I'm really not sure how much the whole set up weighs, as my hull is only 900kg, and the O/Board 100kg- but you have to add up all the rubbish you have stored in the thing plus fuel, anchors etc. Believe me it mounts up. Try emptying the boat lockers next time you are in the marina and see how many trolleys you fill. Still think you should buy a 440 as a fishing tender!! Regards Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) Mike For that all up weight there is only one choice and it is available with or without patio doors, sometimes photographed with my very ugly mug driving it and viewable various south coast locations. All the best Tom Edited September 4, 2007 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Mike I'll make you an offer, you have my 20ft which you can tow home, and I'll trade up with Tom to something I dont need to trail. I wish.... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 towing back from weymouth this year behind Adam with Ootb, this was the only point the trailer started to move about - did you notice anything Adam ?) I did. it was before I set the trailer up properly, only had about 30kgs on the nose - all fine now, but at estimated 1700kgs, I wouldnt want to tow much more with the Saab. Mike - How about a quicksilver? I think one of the guys on here sells them?? .....lovely boats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 Mike - How about a quicksilver? I think one of the guys on here sells them?? .....lovely boats! Not sure what to say to that other than Tom That said, I do know a "nice" (not a word I would use) Quicksilver 640 with Mariner 100Hp 4s for sale. Complete with trailer and ongoing warranty work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted September 5, 2007 Report Share Posted September 5, 2007 (edited) Towing large trailers is a bit of a broad subject because of the huge variations in format, but for what it's worth, having towed a 3 ton + trailer over 50K in the last few years, here goes. Check vehicle 'max tow' in the manual. (Landy 110 HD /HC = 3500kg or 4500kg with linked brakes) Also check the 'total train weight' is not exceeded. Use the advised 'nose weight' and do not exceed the max, check this regularly if load or load distribution might change between journeys. Small cars are usually 50-75kg very large cars to 3+ tons might be 100-150kg. Correct tyre pressures on the tractor vehicle and the trailer are crutial. Keep the highest ratio of towing vehicle weight to that of the trailer. Keep the lowest centre of gravity. Ensure your tractor vehicle & trailer axis are level. Consider axle weights on the towing vehicle with trailer coupled ie including the trailers nose weight. Returning to the 85% rule and this is an interesting one. Whilst still being a good upper benchmark as used by the highway ploice advisory, you may still find the safety threshold lower and very vehicle specific. The higher you go the more likely that the tail will wag the dog. This is much worse in vehicles with soft suspension and poor anti-roll. I have towed much more than 85%, safely and legally, but under controlled load conditions with a vehicle I have rigged for towing and load carrying specifically. Large boats can be a pig to tow with even the best tractor, brought a three ton load from Harwich..........once Sorry if this is scetchy and off the top of my noodle.............. I have the book on towing law if anyone would like a read. Edited September 5, 2007 by Wedger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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