CLB
Well-known member
From memory the boat was always allowed to be 2.55m as we had an allowance for some overhand on the width. Now there is no overhang allowance so the boat size hasn't changed, just the trailer size.
biggest boat you can tow ?
- Thread starter smileygirl
- Start date
dpb
Well-known member
The allowed overhang used to be 300mm each side giving max boat width 2.9m.
If no overhang allowed now that would mean a max width reduction!
My understanding is that the trailer width was the amendment, so the overhang is still allowed up to max width of 2.9m.
The current guidance issued by the British Sub Aqua club bears this out but it is hard to find much else on the subject
If no overhang allowed now that would mean a max width reduction!
My understanding is that the trailer width was the amendment, so the overhang is still allowed up to max width of 2.9m.
The current guidance issued by the British Sub Aqua club bears this out but it is hard to find much else on the subject
Gordonwilly
New member
Just re-read the regs (again)!!!
Max. trailer width is 2.55m, but load can overhang max. of 305mm either side to a maximum load width of 2.9m ....is my understanding!
Max. trailer width is 2.55m, but load can overhang max. of 305mm either side to a maximum load width of 2.9m ....is my understanding!
wipe_out
Active member
I don't think there is any overhang allowance anymore allowing for the width to exceed 2.55m.. Even on the gov.uk site is simply says..
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/car-towing-weight-and-width-limits
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/car-towing-weight-and-width-limits
Gordonwilly
New member
Has the subject become irrelevant then with the passing of 8 years....my boat is from 1990 and my Defender is a 2000 model, so the comment 8 years ago would have been relevant and still stands, it seems to me...especially as towing big trailers is a big undertaking now, as it was 8 years ago (in fact with my rig, it hasn't actually changed), so I'll stick with contributing to relevant topics if you don't mind and not worry too much about how old they are!!!
Gordonwilly
New member
I know it is confusing, but many trailer manufacturers put this on their sites...and its identical text which ever one you take it from, which leads me to believe you can overhang a 2.55m wide trailer to 2.9m...here is the extract.
Weights
The most important thing to think of when building a trailer is the weight you need to carry as you do not want to have your trailer collapse as you are towing it and also you don't want to be have a fine for being over weight.
The law regarding weight of a trailer for use on the public highway.
You can not have a trailer gross over 750 kg without brakes
You can not gross over 3500kg with brakes.
The gross train weight also can not be more than the gross train weight marked on the towing vehicle.
All trailers must have the gross weight marked on it.
This means that you have to take in careful consideration what you will be loading on to the trailer and how much it weighs all components must be capable of caring the weight you will be carrying. The gross weight of the is trailer the weight that the weakest part of the trailer can take. This means if you have tyres rated at 1000kg total and the axles are rated at 1300kg and the coupling is rated at 2000kg the trailer should have a gross weight of 1000kg.
Dimensions
There is not a lot you need to know about dimensions as the law does allow very large trailers.
If the towing vehicle has a gross weight of or below 3.5 Tonnes
The maximum length is 7m excluding Coupling and drawbar
Maximum width 2.55m (changed 2010)
If the gross weight of the towing vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonne
The maximum length of trailer is 12m excluding coupling and drawbar
Maximum width 2.55m
Max length of towing vehicle and trailer 18m
Overhang of loads
You can overhang the trailer with your load but you must follow the following guide lines.
Up to 1m rear over hang is ok but we recommend it is clearly marked.
From 1m - 2m rear overhang MUST be clearly marked.
From 2m - 3.05m a marker board must define the end of the load and it must be illuminated at night.
Your load must not project more than 305mm either side of your trailer and not give an overall width of over 2.9m
If you need to exceed any of these overhangs you can but it is classed as an abnormal load and you need to inform the police
Maximum height
There is no maximum height for a trailer but to keep the trailer stable it is recommended not to exceed 3m high or 1.7times the track of the trailer.
Weights
The most important thing to think of when building a trailer is the weight you need to carry as you do not want to have your trailer collapse as you are towing it and also you don't want to be have a fine for being over weight.
The law regarding weight of a trailer for use on the public highway.
You can not have a trailer gross over 750 kg without brakes
You can not gross over 3500kg with brakes.
The gross train weight also can not be more than the gross train weight marked on the towing vehicle.
All trailers must have the gross weight marked on it.
This means that you have to take in careful consideration what you will be loading on to the trailer and how much it weighs all components must be capable of caring the weight you will be carrying. The gross weight of the is trailer the weight that the weakest part of the trailer can take. This means if you have tyres rated at 1000kg total and the axles are rated at 1300kg and the coupling is rated at 2000kg the trailer should have a gross weight of 1000kg.
Dimensions
There is not a lot you need to know about dimensions as the law does allow very large trailers.
If the towing vehicle has a gross weight of or below 3.5 Tonnes
The maximum length is 7m excluding Coupling and drawbar
Maximum width 2.55m (changed 2010)
If the gross weight of the towing vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonne
The maximum length of trailer is 12m excluding coupling and drawbar
Maximum width 2.55m
Max length of towing vehicle and trailer 18m
Overhang of loads
You can overhang the trailer with your load but you must follow the following guide lines.
Up to 1m rear over hang is ok but we recommend it is clearly marked.
From 1m - 2m rear overhang MUST be clearly marked.
From 2m - 3.05m a marker board must define the end of the load and it must be illuminated at night.
Your load must not project more than 305mm either side of your trailer and not give an overall width of over 2.9m
If you need to exceed any of these overhangs you can but it is classed as an abnormal load and you need to inform the police
Maximum height
There is no maximum height for a trailer but to keep the trailer stable it is recommended not to exceed 3m high or 1.7times the track of the trailer.
Gordonwilly
New member
Found it...here it is. Additional requirements don't kick in until 2.9m is exceeded, or 305mm overhang exceeded.
Department of Transport Overhanging loads A brief Guide
The table below is a summary of the requirements applicable to loads overhanging the sides of a vehicle as set out in regulation 82 of C&U.
Load Projection or Overall Width Action required
Over 305mm lateral projection on either side. Two clear working days notice to Police
More than 2.9 metres, but not exceeding to Two clear working days notice to Police
3.5 metres overall width Additional lights required during hours of darkness or poor . visibility
• (C&U schedule 12, para 4) • Marker boards front and rear (C&U Schedule 12, para 3)
•
Department of Transport Overhanging loads A brief Guide
The table below is a summary of the requirements applicable to loads overhanging the sides of a vehicle as set out in regulation 82 of C&U.
Load Projection or Overall Width Action required
Over 305mm lateral projection on either side. Two clear working days notice to Police
More than 2.9 metres, but not exceeding to Two clear working days notice to Police
3.5 metres overall width Additional lights required during hours of darkness or poor . visibility
• (C&U schedule 12, para 4) • Marker boards front and rear (C&U Schedule 12, para 3)
•
simonfraser
Well-known member
Notify the police, what exactly are they going to do with the info .. ??
aquapower
New member
It's something all the boat hauliers have to do (or any other hauliers of abnormal loads), without their permission you would be breaking the law in going ahead, upon receiving the info they will issue you with a permit.
MJGH
Member
You actually have to notify the relevant police force in each traffic area you intend passing through.
They will then decide if they wish to impose any conditions as to route, times allowed to travel etc and what requirements they may have in regard attendant, self escort, police escort and so forth.
Dependant on the load you may also have a duty to notify all local authorities etc along your proposed route.
The police may not even acknowledge your notification but if they stop you and you have not notified, you are prohibited to move for a minimum of 2 x clear working days (minimum notice period) along with any further penalties imposed.
Jim@sea
Well-known member
Towing, Originally I had a Land Rover Defender 90 Turbo. I had a 3.5 ton (gross) trailer and would do the same trip twice a week collecting animal feed (Carrots) they would fill the trailer up until it was overflowing and I would set off, one particular hill caused me a problem and with the Defender I had to drop down to second gear. The fact that I was probably towing over 4 tons did not help.
Then I bought a Nissan Patrol. What a difference, still towing around 4 tons the Nissan went straight up the hill at 60 and reduced my driving time (each way) by 20 minutes.
That Nissan Patrol was a 4.2 Non Turbo. Then I bought the 3.0DI SVE Patrol, although a smaller engine it had more power. A dream to drive and tow.
Then I started towing a Motor Boat. My boat weighed around 2 ton and with the trailer the Gross Weight was around 3 tons and at 60 on a Motorway you could forget you had a boat behind.
In all I have had 3 Nissan Patrols and the amount of money I have spent on them is negligible, no expensive repair bills, just routine servicing.
I would certainly recommend a Patrol for Towing a Boat.
Then I bought a Nissan Patrol. What a difference, still towing around 4 tons the Nissan went straight up the hill at 60 and reduced my driving time (each way) by 20 minutes.
That Nissan Patrol was a 4.2 Non Turbo. Then I bought the 3.0DI SVE Patrol, although a smaller engine it had more power. A dream to drive and tow.
Then I started towing a Motor Boat. My boat weighed around 2 ton and with the trailer the Gross Weight was around 3 tons and at 60 on a Motorway you could forget you had a boat behind.
In all I have had 3 Nissan Patrols and the amount of money I have spent on them is negligible, no expensive repair bills, just routine servicing.
I would certainly recommend a Patrol for Towing a Boat.
Firefly625
Well-known member
In a previous life I did 2 lots of 2 weeks advanced off road driving courses at eastnor castle with land rover, for 4 days we were towing Range Rovers on Ifor Williams trailers with 110 tdi's on the Malvern hills and being trained to go up the low range box and into high range on the move and back down again. When you get the technique right it's quite simple and gets you rolling if fully loaded up and on a steep hill. At the time I was campaigning in national historic hill climb events with my HRG and had a 90 CSW V8 and up and down dale nothing could catch me in that, changed to a land cruiser after a few years, more comfortable, faster, more economical....still missed the landie.
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Neil_Y
Well-known 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.
Just re read this and you can now tow up to 8'5" or 2.55m in UK which is the same across Europe since 2010. We're towing a 2.55 width boat, but with a 30' mast on top this Summer to Stockholm.
