buying a low loader

[sarabande]

I need, unfortunately, to move my boat (16 tonnes and 35 ft) at least twice in the coming year, and to park her up in between moves, for electrical renovation. I want the boat to be as near home as possible, not even an hour's drive away.

THEN, we go sailing, whooppee!

The idea occurred that it might be better to buy a low loader, crane the boat onto the loader , and have her driven home for the electrical work. Keep the boat on the trailer / loader, then when she's ready, whistle up a heavy towing vehicle again.

Can someone with experience inthe transport world please advise just how foolish this idea is, and how much a reasonable low loader might cost. (I'd want to sell it on afterwards, and not to add to my existing collection of trailers) .

What's needed to keep such a loader in legal condition ?

Where can I buy one ?

Is there a standard system of connecting to a towing vehicle ?

What am I missing ? Apart from a dose of realism !

 

[MarAzul]

Try the guys at west country boat transport. 01566 785651/07802 946335. They'll know what trailers cost. I know they bought a smaller one earlier this year. They delivered my 34 footer/10 tonne 100miles for £400 on it. At worst they'll have a damn good laugh! but it's not such a daft idea. They may even rent you one!

 

[essexboy]

Thats going to be some weight ! This rules out grass or even normal driveways methinks.

 

[savageseadog]

I think you'll find anything over 3.5 Tonne will be HGV, and HGV trailers are plated, ie something similar to an MOT. HGV insurance too.
Might be worth speaking to a farmer with a suitable trailer as I know some boats are moved in Wales by relatively unregulated tractor trailer combo's.

 

[RobinBirch]

Hi, when you've got one can I have a borrow?

 

[duncanmack]

It's not as daft as it might seem to some.

I know someone with a Fiord 33 who is proposing exactly that. He is going to take the boat home in the winter in future.
He's ex-haulage business and has contacts for the low-loader. He's done the sums and for him it makes a lot of sense - tho his house is only about 3 miles from the boatyard! It'll save the winter storage (@£600 when he factors in the lift-out and lift-in which would otherwise be included) and the boat will be right outside the house and workable at. He can get away with an "old" trailer due to the lack of mileage he'll be doing and reckons he won't have to "test" it because there is no hire or reward involved. He can get any number of drivers to do a quick shift along the road for him.

Artic trailers connect with a standard 5th wheel coupling so any artic tractor can do it - providing it is rated to do it - which most now will be.
There has been a big shake out of haulage contractors in the last few years (times is hard and getting harder) and there will be a number of low-loaders around. Getting shot of it again might be a problem though, for obvious reasons.

I'll try and find out if the Plating and Testing Regs apply to "your" trailer carrying "your" boat - though I think they will, as you'll have to hire someone to tow it!

How far are you proposing to move it?

 

[sarabande]

thanks for all the replies and advice. The background on the haulage industry is worth knowing.

There's no way I can move the boat and loader myself on the public highway, so it's a professional haulage job to move her the 200 miles from London to Exmoor. I have a big shed when the combination is back on the farm, so that gives me dry storage and working environment, with mains power.

Advantages: No cranage off a commercial trailer and back on when we are ready to move. No hire of crane at the farm end. I move when I choose, not when the haulage company can schedule me in. Boat is permanently and safely chocked and tied down on a stable base. I work at home, not from a distant boat park or marina.


Disadvantages: Cost (not known yet ). On the trailer, the boat is a couple of feet higher (proper ladder/scaffolding framework needed) than on the ground.


Maybe renting is a good way to ensure that the trailer is managed and maintained professionally.


Food for thought; keep the ideas coming please

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Swampyhotdog]

Where I live (Portaferry - N.Ireland) the owners of large yachts and cruisers get together and hire a crane to lift our boats onto our own trailers and then pay a local farmer to tow them to wherever we will be wintering them. Either our own yards or dry storage. I don't imagine it's terribly legal, but it's worked for us for years and hopefully will for years to come. Usually works out about £30 per boat. Couldn't beat it with a big stick!

 

[davidpbo]

There was an arcticle sometime ago, probably in PBO about someone who trails and sails their boat using their own low loader and tractor unit.

Errespective of the regulations regarding MOT of a trailer for non commercial use you still have an obligeation to ensure that the trailer is roadworthy.

 

[santeana]

I've a friend in NI who has built a cradle on a low loader and winters his 34 ft, 6 ton, boat under cover at home. Without the rolling trailer he'd find it difficult, if not impossible, to store inside his barn at home. He gets the yard to load the cradle and a local farmer, using farm tractor, shifts (crawls!) the boat at night the 30 miles to his home. Would only work in Ireland!

Buying, maybe converting, and maintaining a trailer in roadworthy (insurable) condition and capable of carrying 16 tonne is the challenge both practically and economically. I like the idea particularly if you're likely to be keeping the boat for the forseeable future and have 'free' under-cover facilities at home.

 

[duncanmack]

Sarabande,

That's been interesting - catching up with some old friends!

Right. You do not want a "low-loader" - that's for heavy haulage - what you want is a "step-frame". There are loads of them about and expect to pay 2-3K for one in good enough condition for what you want. Be prepared to spend another £500 or so for any (minor) repairs that might be necessary. Basically you might buy one cheaper but budget about £3500 to have the finished article.
A 16 ton load is not a big deal for this type of trailer but it will have a minimum of 2 axles - ensure you buy one with good tyres. Tread depth is not the be all on this - you're not doing very many miles - just make sure the sidewalls of the tyres are good (otherwise you could be looking at £250/tyre - potentially £2k)!
The trailer is subject to an annual test currently costing £36 which is not very onerous - tyres, lights, brakes and general condition.
You don't need to insure it (otherwise than having it covered for theft) because the lorry actually moving it has to have the insurance cover for the road.
Modifying it for boat transport/storage.
It CAN be done with blocks of wood and wedges......... but construct a cradle for the boat and put it on the trailer. Tying it all together is not difficult.

Finally, cost of running.
Tyres, if the walls are OK, should last for years. If you protect the tyres from the sun they'll last longer. Because you're not running far or heavily loaded you can buy the cheapest tyres if you ever need to replace them - or S/H ones for that matter.
Servicing/repairs. Budget about £300pa and you'll not go far wrong.
Annual test. Get it done when the boat's in the water, obviously.
Haulage. Mmmm. If you can be flexible about day of week and time of day (or night) you might be pleasantly surprised at the cost. You'll have to shop around.

Edited to include..

When I mentioned rental I got a hysterical response. "Wot? They made of money?"
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Hope this helps!

Orrabest!

 

[robmann]

Hi
For what it is worth, I purchased a 40' step frame trailer for my 30' colvic to store on the farm to work on. I was lucky to pick up the trailer have the boat craned on and delivered for £800.00
I have been told when i crane her back into the water in 2009 i should see the £800.00 back. So it is not that daft.
Just remember to take the weight of the wheels by blocking up when parked up.
Rob.

 

[duncanmack]

Forgot to mention that it should be blocked up.......Doh!

Good point!

You got a good deal there too! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Mudplugger]

If you are in the agricultural area, why not consider making a taylor made trailer for the boat? a couple of 16t axles, some I beam, acrow props and a decent h.d. stick welder and you are in business! most of the above would come from your local H.G.V scrappy and I would have thought should not cost more than £1k.....That's what I have with a 40', but be aware that max legal width (without Police Escort) is 13' and length about 57'...and we do it the Irish way, with a tractor. (v. early in the a.m.)

 

[Lakesailor]

In the Lakes we have tractors towing the most peculiar trailors past day (and night).
I reckon if the tractor owner can persuade the constabule it's his own then it works.

 

[hlb]

This is not a daft idea, thought of doing it myself before now. Not in the industry now, but was in the 70's 80's.

A step frame, makes sence, or a small low loader. 16 tons is light in transport terms.

As said above, you may get away with no test, as it's for private use. You will have to check this, but in any event, buy a trailer with some test on it. I'm sure you can find a local unit (Pulling) only, one man band, who will help you out on what to buy. From above, it dont look like prices have moved on much from the seventys.

As said. Your problems will be, making a cradle for the boat, if not using a specialist, boat transporter man, who will have the kit. Much depends on your hull shape, as to what you need.

Would'nt mind the bet, that who ever sells you the trailer, will shift your boat as well.