Parking a trailer with a RIB on a public road

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peter2407

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Trying to save cash over winter so thinking of parking a 5.5 metre RIB on trailer on a public road. Quiet area near the local village hall and library, no houses on this 200 metre stretch. Apart from the obvious security concerns, and need to ensure that it is seen so will park it under a street light etc, but any restrictions/laws etc to be aware of? TIA.
 
You may be required to light it like they do skips but skips need a permit and loadsa regulations also apply.

Might look into public liability insurance issues. will you be insured inthe event of a claim against you.

If it annoys anyone finding where theyve moved it to each morning could become tedious.

Some of this may apply too

Reg 103 C& U Regs deals with obstruction of the highway and points out that not only motor vehicles contravene but also trailers.

In Soloman v Durbridge [1956] it was held that a vehicle left on a road for an unreasonable (how long is a piece of string) time may be an unreasonable obstruction.

In Nelmes v Rhys Howells Transport Ltd [1977] - the highway provides a means of transit and is not a store.

Also under Highways Act 1980 offence to deposit anything whatsoever on a Highway to the interuption of any user of the highway.

Where such things deposited are a nuisance then Council under Act can served Notice on owner to remove forthwith. If they don't they can apply to Court for an uplift.
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Bit of a grey area. Any vehicle parked on a public road can be deemed to be an "obstruction". Really down to whether anyone complains and whether the people they complain to have the will to do anything about it. More likely to come under local byelaws than anything else.
 
Lescargot. I agree, however .. Our drive is very very long and very very narrow that even with an electric winch I am not convinced I could get the trailer up the drive, detach the trailer from the car, attach the trailer to the electric winch, winch into place and turn a c. 1.5 ton "lump" into the correct position for long term storage on a steep drive so that in spring I could bring the car up the drive and attach the trailer and get back on the water.
 
peter2407 said:
Lescargot. I agree, however .. Our drive is very very long and very very narrow that even with an electric winch I am not convinced I could get the trailer up the drive, detach the trailer from the car, attach the trailer to the electric winch, winch into place and turn a c. 1.5 ton "lump" into the correct position for long term storage on a steep drive so that in spring I could bring the car up the drive and attach the trailer and get back on the water.
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Simple - reverse it up, railway sleeper in front of the trailer wheels, unhitch and free to still get the car in and out of the drive as well... :encouragement: ;);)
 
That presupposes a couple of things: a. The drive is reverse uppable - a car without a trailer is a challenge due to curves and cambers, b. The trailer wheels arent wider than the drive (havent measured yet, but it will be tight) and c. Most important of all - that the reverser (me) isnt absolutely cr@p at reversing..
 
Do you know anyone with a 4x4 that sports a front mounted tow ball who would push it up the drive for you? Best ever device for manoeuvring trailers in confined/challenging places.
 
Giblets - given an idea me you have ... I wonder if i could fit a removable front tow/push bar, as this would be an annual event... Still need to measure the width though ..
 
peter2407 said:
That presupposes a couple of things: a. The drive is reverse uppable - a car without a trailer is a challenge due to curves and cambers, b. The trailer wheels arent wider than the drive (havent measured yet, but it will be tight) and c. Most important of all - that the reverser (me) isnt absolutely cr@p at reversing..
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It was a tongue in cheek suggestion, hence the smilies ;) I hate towing.
 
Its not unknown to get a towing eye and attach a tow ball to it as a cheap mans front towball. Its not road legal. But I don't think any are. The downside might be off-set of the towing eye.

Personally I'd rig a post and a winch at the house end of the drive and use the RIB's towing bridle to reverse it up with someone steering from the jockey wheel...
 
I wouldn't leave a nice boat on a public road for any length of time. not if I wanted it to stay nice

My driveway is around 200m long up and down hill with a bend pot holes and brush on both sides. I should make room to turn a trailer but have two trailers a boat a truck and a camper. all parked there.
Best bet is just to back it in. PAI yes but only an end of season event. practice makes perfect. Chocks for wheels and a trailer jack help.
I thought Id move the boat once just a short way and didn't put the chains on. fortunately just on my own driveway and home alone, hitch came of the ball and the boat stoped when it hit my sons bike. cost me a new bike.
I know a few people with a front ball. make sure you can still chain.
 
Certainly around here our council would takes steps after a week or so. If it had number plate they would track you down. If not they might assume it is stolen or dumped as is often the case with cars. They would remove it after just a few weeks so certainly not an option here. regardless of how far off the road it was. As said you need to persevere with the stowage up the drive. Many different ideas some may prove successful for you. Widen the drive or make the trailer less wide. good luck olewill
 
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