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[Gaffers]

What is the largest size adn weight of a boat I can legally tow with my omega?

I am investigating 3 boats I would like to build at some point and one of them has a beam (width) of 2.82m or 9'3".  Not sure exactly what the weight is but it is more than 2500Lb or 1136kg.

Will I have to get a bigger car if I want to trailor this mama?  

[hotel21]

Check the label on the drivers B pillar.  It will show the max permissable weights for the front and rear axles as well as a larger figure which is the train weight.  Thats the all up weight of the car, its fuel and contents, as well as the trailer being towed and whatever is upon the trailer.

The lighter the trailer, the heavier the potential boat....

[Kevin Wood]

Not in the old bill but I'll have a crack...

Depends how heavy the trailer is. You'll need a braked trailer for that sort of weight and the maximum towing weight of an Omega will be in the region of 1.7 - 1.8 Tonnes, so if the trailer isn't too heavy tou will be OK.

IIRC, the plate on the driver's door pillar will have two weights - the maximum laden weight of the vehicle and the maximum train weight. One should be around 2200 Kg and one around 4000. If you subtract the larger from the smaller this is the worst case maximum load you can tow with a fully laden car.*

Best practice is to tow only around 85% of the car's kerb weight but if you're careful, sticking to fairly short journeys and thus remaining alert  this can be exceeded. I have towed 1800 kg with mine and it was perfectly well behaved. Even managed to extract the trailer from a muddy field with the TC going nuts.

Kevin

* - Assuming you've got an older license with a B+E entitlement.

[Gaffers]

Thanks, I do have grandad rights...just!!  

I think I will just be in limits then for the weight, what about the beam (width) and the length limits I'm sure there is a maximum somewhere.  :-/

I probably wouldent trailor it everywhere but mainly to take it home over winter for maintenance and occasionally taking it somewhere new for exploration.

[Martin_1962]

2.3 m is the legal maximum with a car, hence all UK caravans being of this size or under. Rules are different for light comercials (over 3.5T).

EU Vans can be wider but are not legal with UK tow cars despite being legal in Europe

[hotel21]

theres also this to look at....

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

[Kevin Wood]

Not aware of any width or length limits within reason. Obviously ensure you have enough lighting if bits of the trailer protrude or if it is long ensure it has some repeaters down the side.

I tow a glider trailer that's probably 9 or 10m long. You need to watch the speed doesn't creep up down hills because it will snake a little, especially if upset by a passing lorry, etc. Keep the speed down to 55 or less (just set the cruise) and it's fine though.

Having said that, fitting a stabilising device to the hitch is supposed to be worthwhile. Haven't tried one myself as I very rarely tow it.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

Here we go. Construction and use requirements for trailers:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/requirementsfortrailers

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

Looks like my glider trailer falls foul of the 7 metre length limit.  

Wing span is 15 metres, wing is in 2 sections so it's going to be more than 7.5 metres. I doubt there's a glider trailer that is compliant with that.

Kevin

[hotel21]

Looks like your glider trailer is a tad overlength then, Kevin....      

[Kevin Wood]

I see 3 Options:

Sell the Omega and get a vehicle over 3.5 Tonnes  
Take a saw to my glider  
Plead ignorance during the 1 or 2 times a year I tow it  

Kevin

[CaptainZok]

I see 3 Options:

Sell the Omega and get a vehicle over 3.5 Tonnes  
Take a saw to my glider  
Plead ignorance during the 1 or 2 times a year I tow it  

Kevin

Option 4, Carry an elastic tape measure.

[Gaffers]

Looks like the boat will too with a trailer being in the region of about 9m.....  

James, how much for your landy/range rover thingy??  

[Martin_1962]

Looks like the boat will too with a trailer being in the region of about 9m.....  

James, how much for your landy/range rover thingy??  

I think they are too small too

Laxer in Europe

[Gaffers]

Looks like the boat will too with a trailer being in the region of about 9m.....  

James, how much for your landy/range rover thingy??  

I think they are too small too

Laxer in Europe

True but I wont spend my entire career in Europe and as I am British forces I have to still stick to British vehicle regulations.