4 x 4's and Trailers

[gonfishing]

4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Hi All
Does anybody know the maximum weight of a boat that can be trailed ?? also what sort of trailer would be best , and finally what is the best 4x 4 for the job???
I was thinking along the lines of a discovery but have been told they don't tow very well???
your opinions appreciated

Julian

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by gonfishing on 18/09/2004 12:06 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jon_bailey]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Each vehcle has its own maximum towing weight that is governed by the manufacturer. The maximum is 3.5 tonnes and this has to include the boat and all its contents and the trailer with larger 2 axle trailers typically weighing 700kg, this leaves 2.8 T for the boat etc.

AFAIK Discoveries have a 3.5 T limit but you may want to check for the individual model you are considering. Whether they are any good for towing is a subjective opinion.

<hr width=100% size=1>££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://home.btconnect.com/bailey>BOAT NO LONGER FOR SALE</A>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I never towed anything large with mine, but what I can say is that it was by far the most unreliable vehicle I've ever owned.

On the other hand I used to have a Daihatsu 4 Track which I used for towing a 21' boat on a 4 wheel trailer. It was superb. Never let me down, in over 3 years I didn't have to do a single repair and only lost about £200 when I sold it! Can't ask for better than that!

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[Roy]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

As Jon says - 3.5 tons which is the total weight being towed. Best type of trailer, that is stability and ease of reversing/roadholding is a double axle (4 wheels) type, and then you have the variations for ease of slipping the boat - i.e. drop back, rollers, skids, articulated etc., but 4 wheels definitely best - anyway, if your boat is over 18 ft or so, then it will have a 4 wheel trailer. Tip - make sure you carry a spare wheel and maintain the tyres and wheel bearings regularly. Arriving at the water, let the trailer wheels cool down for at least 10 minutes before backing it in or you will bust the seals on the wheels which are pre packed with grease. Lose the grease through the seals and you have expensive repair problems for the future. I've towed a 3/4 ton jetbike/trailer with a jeep 4l and a rangerover autobiography 4.6l. Both were good but the rangerover had so much power that you would not even know the trailer was hooked up!! Also used the rr to pull my searay 215ec which was easily 3.5tons overall on it's trailer and was no bother at all. Anyway I trashed the rangerover a couple of years ago in a spectacularly bad smash and now run a jeep grand cherokee ltd 2.7crd- Excellent towing vehicle but now have nothing to tow!! Don't know about the disco mind you.

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Any of Land Rover's "proper" products (I exclude the Freelander) will tow excellently - you will have to make your own judgement on the reliability issue.

As to the max weight you will have to look on the vehicle's VIN plate for the "train weight" = vehicle plus item being towed.

The trailer will have to be braked if its weight plus load is greater than 750 kilos.

If your boat is light, then you don't really need a 4x4 something like a Volvo awd will do the job better than a front wheel drive car.

If you are going to dunk the whole thing in the sea on a regular basis consider a Land Rover land rover or even a pickup truck - cheaper and expendible.

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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[Dean]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

This might help with all towing questions.

www.ntta.co.uk

I tow my 25' Larson with a discovery, no problems just daren't go more than 45mph.

Dean

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[DavidJ]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I used to tow a Sealine 240 (2 tons + trailor wt) around the Med with a Vauxall Monterey (Isuzu Trooper 3.1 litre diesel) and then with 2.8 diesel Shogun. The gearing on the Shogun was much better for towing. Although the trailor was designed for the weight I had loads of punctures, so go for as big a wheels as you can maybe consider a 6 wheeler if you're going big distances with a heavy boat.

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[duncan]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I would highlight the need to invest in good quality tyres if you are going to start hauling heavy trailers.

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[Bergman]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I suspect most of the 4x4 stuff is now much the same.

I would suggest you go for one with lots of engine and the minimum wheelbase.

Manoeuvering backwards with a long wheelbase tow can be a real pain, short wheelbase much better.

I used to tow my old 20ft saily boat with a 2.0 Sierra - no problems, except when wheel came off trailer.

Perhaps alternative would be to save money by not buying 4x4 and parking in a marina.

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[PGD]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

just bought a Nissan Navara - it can tow 3t on a braked trailer, great vehicle too.

What I need to know is how do you choose a trailer ?????

Cheers

Peter

<hr width=100% size=1>Who gives the best service? tell us <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mssa.org.uk>Marine Service Standards Assistance</A>

 

[lanason]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I tow Kelisha with a Toyota Land Cruiser - Fantastic 4x4. It towed over 3 tonnes up a slipway that was so slippery that I couldn't walk on it without falling over !!! and it did it without a single wheel spin.

As for speed - it tows TOO WELL - at 60 mph is it totally stable and could easy reach 70. You cant forget 3t of boat on the back but not far off it. My tralier is from BEELINe in pembrokeshire. It is one of the most solid ones I've ever seen.

When the boat was first launched, the pivot action lifted the back wheels OFF the ground of my mates Land Rover as he reversed onto the top of the slipway !!!

Adrian

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday

 

[hlb]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Used to tow my Imperial two ton V8 thingy with an Isusu Trooper. 70 mph on country roads, no problem. Stopping was a bit more difficult!!

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[derekh]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Twice a year I tow a 28' sunseeker 3.5 t plus three axle trailer which totals approx 3.5 t. I have toed with toyota land cruser, mitsubishi shogun, range rover and land rover. Toyota and Mitsi were ok rover was good but boat toed landrover. best by far is my mates twin wheel transit van which toes at 40 mph with no problems.
I always toe before 10am on a Sunday keeps the ossifers of the law contented

<hr width=100% size=1>Work ? don't be daft , the suns out.

 

[hlb]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Well yes, a trany van would be much better, or a ten ton truck, better still.

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[Bandit]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I have used Range Rovers and Discoveries.

Depending on distance rule out petrol.

Discovery diesels ok for small boats up to a ton after that they loose grunt and I have towed a 24ft boat from lake district to south coast at 45mph , not good.

I tow 1 ton to 1.5 ton boats about 300 miles in france with two and one axle trailers I now use a Toyota Amazon 4.2td which is an excellent towing vehicle and yes you can reach 85mph where allowed which isnt anywhere with a trailer.

Get a good quality trailer suited for the boat, Twin axles offer you more security for a blowout but on a small boat a single axle trailer is much easier to move by hand and park. Be scrupulous about trailer maintenance and carry spare tyres and bearings.

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[AJW]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

I used to tow 2.5t of Rib and trailer with Isuzu Trooper 3.0TD. Great tow car, bags of grunt and would tow all day at 65mph no bother. Would recommend getting twin axle trailer for sure.

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[andy_wilson]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

3.5 tonnes if the vehicle is plated up to that weight. Only the biggest 4x4s are.

Anything above that has to have coupled braking systems rather than just overrun mechanisms.

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[gjgm]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

actually 3.5 tonnes isnt the maximum. Its the maximum for a private vehicle as opposed to a trade vehicle. To you and me, car as opposed to lorry. But some of the big USA vans might be classified as the latter.
There are very few 4*4 that can legally tow up to 3.5t, and it varies within the model, with diesel usually being the top. So a petrol jeep might be 3.2t, and only the diesel version of the model being 3.5t. Not sure why.. gearbox maybe? Cant think chassis or brakes are any different. But it isnt that simple. In fact there is the all up weight of the vehicle and tow that is the first limit. say that is 5 tonnes. then your tow limit might be 3t and the vehicle 2.5t So if you load the vehicle to 2.5t, that would limit your tow to 2.5, not 3t.(max being 5t in this case).
each axle will also have a limit, and if you are really unlucky, you may get caught and have the weight on each axle checked. Total may be ok, but too much on one axle.
And you havent asked about length and width !! plenty more laws there!
vehicle.. depends on how much towing. the old petrol jeeps cherokees tow about 3.2 to 3.3t I think, and are damn cheep if you just want an extra towing car.

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[sjnewport]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Sorry to go from the original subject but I noticed you have experience on launching in the Med. We are holidaying there next summer and we are trying to find a slipway suitable for launching 23 foot boats,preferably without getting them craned in and storage options for cars and trailers.There will be 4 of us at least.
We are looking east of Toulon along the coast to Menton.Any info would be gratefully appreciated...storage availability,approx. prices,mooring availability in high season
Thanks a lot.


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[Its_Only_Money]

Re: 4 x 4\'s and Trailers

Discoverys of any year/engine (except the 2.0 Mpi model), have a towing weight of 3500Kg with overrun brakes. Some Jeep Cherokee's have a towing weight of 2500Kg - broadly this is a function of the weight of the vehicle, so check what the manufacturer states. Your driving licence (if obtained prior to 1997) will normally cover you for a max train weight of 8250Kg so this shouldn't be an issue.

Discoverys tow excellently on the whole, "Series 1's" are easier to setup to be stable as they have a shorter rear overhang behind the rear axle, later Series 2's have a longer overhang and this coupled with the air suspension fitted to many on the rear does make them relatively more nervous, however the benefit is self-levelling air suspension which means your twin-axle trailer will have a more predictable nose-weight when on the move.

Personally I'd steer clear of towing with vans, unless you load the rear area with stuff or ballast I don't like the weight distribution but that is just a personal opinion. Likewise I wouldn't tow with a short-wheelbase version of anything (inc a Landrover), you just can't beat having the tow vehicle in control and that means weight, as much as possible.

My personal combo with the reasons is:

Discovery series 2 automatic, 3500Kg towing, auto to allow the engine to get up to a decent torque-producing speed, previous manual didn't allow this. It has rear air suspension as above and is chipped with a bigger intercooler for a bit (lot) more grunt. It has >100k miles on it with no problems so I am happy. The boat is a Fairline Sprint, 23ft and 2250Kg or so. Trailer is a twin axle weighing in at another 600Kg to make approx 2900Kg + anything that is added as cruising inventory etc etc....remember if you get taken to a weighbridge the police will go by the actual weight as tested, ignoring any makers weights, plates on the load etc etc. They will also then be absolutly guided by the trailers manufacturers capacity plate to decide whether you are legal.

My other tip would be to comply to the letter regarding the boat on the trailer, correct lights, well secured to the trailer, prop bag etc etc, most coppers look for a lead in to pull you over, if it looks right as you pass them at 60 they'll probably leave you alone, duff lights and no prop bag and they'll come looking.....

<hr width=100% size=1>Rgds

Simon
Its Only Money
Fairline Sprint
Solent-based