smileygirl
New member
what is the biggest boat I could tow on UK roads on a trailer using a 4 X 4.
biggest boat you can tow ?
- Thread starter smileygirl
- Start date
SolentPhill
New member
Around 24ft I towed a Larson 240 to Spain, easy around the 3T mark.
JamesTT
Member
Kev
I tow a boat 8.6m LOA on a 3500 SBS trailer, the extendable light bars at the rear of the trailer extend just beyond the raised drive leg, slightly short of the extended swim platform, this is removed for towing on the road making the boat 8.2m LOA
[image]
[/image]
I tow a boat 8.6m LOA on a 3500 SBS trailer, the extendable light bars at the rear of the trailer extend just beyond the raised drive leg, slightly short of the extended swim platform, this is removed for towing on the road making the boat 8.2m LOA
[image]
landlockedpirate
Active member
To keep it simple the main limits are total weight (including trailer) of 3500kg and max with of 7'6" (Width 6" overhang allowed each side giving a total width of 8'6").
As mentioned above in practice that means a 24ft ish sports cruiser-Sealine S24, Bayliner 245, Chaparal 240 etc. However you can just about tow a 26ft boat but you have to select your trailer very carefully and make sure the boat has very little or no equipment on it.
Both rigs below were legal when we towed them to Spain in 2001, my Four Winns 268 weighed in at 3490kg on the trailer but I dont think I would tow anything this big or heavy again-its not worth the legal risk these days.
As mentioned above in practice that means a 24ft ish sports cruiser-Sealine S24, Bayliner 245, Chaparal 240 etc. However you can just about tow a 26ft boat but you have to select your trailer very carefully and make sure the boat has very little or no equipment on it.
Both rigs below were legal when we towed them to Spain in 2001, my Four Winns 268 weighed in at 3490kg on the trailer but I dont think I would tow anything this big or heavy again-its not worth the legal risk these days.
JamesTT
Member
Kev
I agree with The Pirate, it's not much fun towing near the 3500 limit with PLG vehicles, my ML will pull OK but stopping the whole rig in a hurry takes maximum effort, it feels like you are a passenger in the driving seat!
I agree with The Pirate, it's not much fun towing near the 3500 limit with PLG vehicles, my ML will pull OK but stopping the whole rig in a hurry takes maximum effort, it feels like you are a passenger in the driving seat!
DavidJ
Well-known member
We towed a Sealine 240 for many years down to the Med. One hint..load the car not the boat.
N
NJMcK
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
... max with of 7'6" (Width 6" overhang allowed each side giving a total width of 8'6")
[/ QUOTE ]
Maximum width allowed is actually 2.3m for the trailer plus side overhangs of 305 mm each i.e about 2.9 m (9'6") overall.
The SMMT Guide is useful:
"Maximum Trailer Dimensions
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) for a four or more wheeled trailer. 7 meters or 12 meters if towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW.
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 meters.
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 meters.
Marking of rear overhang:
Between 1 metre and 2 metres, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar.
Between 2 metres and 3.05 metres, a marker board as defined in the regulations must be fitted and must be illuminated at night.
If the overhang exceeds 3.05 metres, the police must be notified before commencing the journey.
"Long Vehicle" marker plate
Not a legal requirement, though for longer combinations, particularly where the towing vehicle is over 7500kg gross weight, it is advisable to fit a plate in the interests of safety. Details can be found in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, Schedule 18.
Width 2.3 meters or 2.55 metersfor a trailer towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW.
Loads must not project more than 305 mm either side of the trailer.
Loads over 2.9 metres in width are classed as abnormal loads, and the police must be notified before commencing a journey.
Height no limit stated.
Recommended maximum height 3m or 1.7 x wheel track."
... max with of 7'6" (Width 6" overhang allowed each side giving a total width of 8'6")
[/ QUOTE ]
Maximum width allowed is actually 2.3m for the trailer plus side overhangs of 305 mm each i.e about 2.9 m (9'6") overall.
The SMMT Guide is useful:
"Maximum Trailer Dimensions
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) for a four or more wheeled trailer. 7 meters or 12 meters if towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW.
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 meters.
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 meters.
Marking of rear overhang:
Between 1 metre and 2 metres, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar.
Between 2 metres and 3.05 metres, a marker board as defined in the regulations must be fitted and must be illuminated at night.
If the overhang exceeds 3.05 metres, the police must be notified before commencing the journey.
"Long Vehicle" marker plate
Not a legal requirement, though for longer combinations, particularly where the towing vehicle is over 7500kg gross weight, it is advisable to fit a plate in the interests of safety. Details can be found in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, Schedule 18.
Width 2.3 meters or 2.55 metersfor a trailer towed by a vehicle over 3500kg GVW.
Loads must not project more than 305 mm either side of the trailer.
Loads over 2.9 metres in width are classed as abnormal loads, and the police must be notified before commencing a journey.
Height no limit stated.
Recommended maximum height 3m or 1.7 x wheel track."
TigaWave
New member
I took this one to Italy from Gosport
hlb
RIP
Think your getting a bit carried away, your figures are for comercial vehicles, artic's and stuff.
The width of the towing vehicle is the first limiting factor.
I thort I was a bit of an expert, but would not like more than about 2.5 tons on a trailer, less it had proper air or hydraulic brakes. The trailer should be stopping the towing vehicle, not the other way about.
You will soon find out, when you really want to stop.
The width of the towing vehicle is the first limiting factor.
I thort I was a bit of an expert, but would not like more than about 2.5 tons on a trailer, less it had proper air or hydraulic brakes. The trailer should be stopping the towing vehicle, not the other way about.
You will soon find out, when you really want to stop.
gjgm
Active member
well, many of the police cant understand the rules anyway, but you can be sure that your insurance company will. There was a case where some one lost his X5 and big boat, and got nothing back.
3500kg is the max, but that doesnt mean your 4*4 is rated to that. Often they brochures give the max for that car model, but it varies within the model range, so be careful. In fact, most 4*4 wont have a rating anywhere near 3500kg. And remember thats the total, boat, trailer,fuel, clobber etc.
Width is a confining factor too; some USA boats are too wide, but UK width is different to EU width.
24-25ft is getting alot, though some have towed a bit bigger, but more on a one off, than regular journeys
3500kg is the max, but that doesnt mean your 4*4 is rated to that. Often they brochures give the max for that car model, but it varies within the model range, so be careful. In fact, most 4*4 wont have a rating anywhere near 3500kg. And remember thats the total, boat, trailer,fuel, clobber etc.
Width is a confining factor too; some USA boats are too wide, but UK width is different to EU width.
24-25ft is getting alot, though some have towed a bit bigger, but more on a one off, than regular journeys
Divemaster1
Well-known member
This should manage a fair bit .... just over 6.5 Tonnes some friends of mins say ... but they live in Houston TX, so may be different to the UK .... and not sure if they sell the F450/550 over here.
BartW
Well-known member
sinds 5 years I drove over 6000 km/year with my combination of 24ft / 3Ton, with mercedes ML and GL
as mentioned in other post:
- only a few cars are rated 3.5T, Land Rover, Mercedes GL, and Toyota (I believe)
many other 4x4 like touareg, ML, pickup's, are 3Ton or less.
- yes car weight is very important, make sure it is loaded at the maximum (in stead of the trailer + boat)
- automatic gear is indispensible
- maximum with in europe mainland is 2.5m, I have been told that authorities allow until 2.6m, between 2.6 and 2.9 you need an authorisation for every country you drive through (quite easy to get), over 2.9 you need police guidance "exceptional transport"
- never drive faster then 85km/hr, and make sure your car, trailer, brakes are in Top condition
- make sure the boat trailer combination is adjusted by experienced people, this is VERY important
- when you look at boat weight figures, be carefull they are often too low, and don't include anker, battery's, oil, fuel, accesories, so add 200kg to a dry boat weight spec, excluding your luggage
as mentioned in other post:
- only a few cars are rated 3.5T, Land Rover, Mercedes GL, and Toyota (I believe)
many other 4x4 like touareg, ML, pickup's, are 3Ton or less.
- yes car weight is very important, make sure it is loaded at the maximum (in stead of the trailer + boat)
- automatic gear is indispensible
- maximum with in europe mainland is 2.5m, I have been told that authorities allow until 2.6m, between 2.6 and 2.9 you need an authorisation for every country you drive through (quite easy to get), over 2.9 you need police guidance "exceptional transport"
- never drive faster then 85km/hr, and make sure your car, trailer, brakes are in Top condition
- make sure the boat trailer combination is adjusted by experienced people, this is VERY important
- when you look at boat weight figures, be carefull they are often too low, and don't include anker, battery's, oil, fuel, accesories, so add 200kg to a dry boat weight spec, excluding your luggage
Nautorius
Active member
Wow, That is me!!!!
Great Pic, Forgotten about that picture! I am sat in the Terrano pulling my Chapparral 240 Signature.
It all towed very well, although it did drop to 7MPH going over those pesky Pyrennes!
Cheers
Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Great Pic, Forgotten about that picture! I am sat in the Terrano pulling my Chapparral 240 Signature.
It all towed very well, although it did drop to 7MPH going over those pesky Pyrennes!
Cheers
Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Kipper
New member
James
That was you I saw on the A55 the other week then!
Gary
That was you I saw on the A55 the other week then!
Gary
JamesTT
Member
Gary
Yes, I did reply on the previous thread, you should have beeped!!
Yes, I did reply on the previous thread, you should have beeped!!
Gordonwilly
New member
I don't agree I'm afraid...I think you're brakes can't be good enough on the trailer. I tow a Four Winns Liberator with twin V8's which is very close, all up, to 3500kg, and the triple axle brakes are so good, when they kick in , I need very little braking from the Defender 110 brakes...
petem
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum Gordon. A little tip, look at the date of the post you are replying to, best to stick to current threads rather than 8 year old ones!
GrahamHR
Well-known member
Why ? The regulations re towing are still the same, as far as I am aware.
dpb
Well-known member
Actually no, the max trailer width has increased a little in recent years from 2.3m to 2.55m.
The choice of vehicles able to tow 3.5 is still limited but several pickups, (Ford and Izuzu since 2013 and some others since 2015) can tow 3.5T which gives a more affordable allternative to the luxury 4 x 4's that had that market cornered till now.
The choice of vehicles able to tow 3.5 is still limited but several pickups, (Ford and Izuzu since 2013 and some others since 2015) can tow 3.5T which gives a more affordable allternative to the luxury 4 x 4's that had that market cornered till now.
wipe_out
Active member
As I understand it the rules changed in 2010 and the maximum width is now 2.55m.. No overhangs mentioned.. This is now in line with the EU regs..
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/general-advice/towing-advice-what-you-need-to-know.html
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/general-advice/towing-advice-what-you-need-to-know.html
