Launching or Road trailer...HELP

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LochTroller93

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Hi all,

I was talking with an experianced boat owner today in work and he got talking about the trailer i tow my boat on, he said that it is a launching trailer and that it is not suitable for towing on the roads, its not that i dont trust him but i am looking for a second opinion,

Best regards Robert
 
No mudgaurds no suspension so not legal for the road, it would also need brakes if it was over 750kg. So I would agree with him
 
Please remember to have a breakaway link between hitch and landy incase trailer unhitches it self, this will keep the trailer behind the vehicle, the breakaway strap much be matched to weight of boat and trailer, i think towsure have one up to 750kg for about £3-50.

I dont think you trailer is alegal just needs need some work to make it look safe visit this site http://www.ntta.co.uk/ once a year i go to check and read up on any changes.

A tip for painting trailers i have used the grey international bilge paint to paint axles and various other trailer frames/parts on mine so far it has lasted 1 year and still not worn off, just wipe trailer off with thinners first to remove grease, i think your could get your trailer looking smart with very little cost or time.ive done mine last year wont to but side lights on my as the trailer is nearly 26ft long, aslo afew reflectors stuck around the chassis will help it be visual.

mark
 
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Presumably the difference between a launching trailer and a road trailer is mud guards. As you will probably have a lighting board. I had a trailer exactly like yours. Probably the same make. My trailer carried a 14ft Bonwitco with a 4 hp Outboard. AND The chassis crossmember broke. (age and salt water immersion related)
What I did was have an extra box section welded on the existing cross member.
In hindsight I should have taken it to Specsavers (Sorry too much TV) I should have gone to Indespention and got £150 in PX against a new one.
I dont mind having 30 year old boats but I will not have a **** trailer.
 
LochTroller93 said:
I looked into that and apparently if its an older trailer then it doesnt have to be type approved, something along the lines of grandfather rights
Click to expand...

New trailers will need to be Type Approved from Sept 2012. As yours is clearly in use beofre this date, it does not need to be approved, but does need to meet Construction and Use regulations. You should be able to find these on www.dft.gov.uk/vosa
 
It's not clear from your pic if it has suspension. Does it have a transverse leaf spring inside the cross member?

Work on these types of trailers will usually cost you more than it's worth.
Two suspension units and mudguards and brackets are going to be thick end of £130.
New trailer tyres about £70 (Car tyres may not have sufficient max load values).

Possibly cheaper to buy a trailer from fleabay or Preloved or whatever. (My brother in law got a very nice boat trailer for £180 on ebay)

My 15 ft boat, on it's trailer, with 5hp outboard weighs 480Kg for comparison purposes.
It's probably more heavily built than the Dandy.

newboat05.jpg
 
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