Towing with a 1.3 Diesel MultiJet (Fiat Doblo)

check the towing weights in the handbook for an unbraked trailer.your car will move it no problem, but as said you will need to read the road very well when towing and braking.
 
Hi Neil,

You will be able to tow it fine. Be aware the Maximium you should be towing is 750KG on an unbraked trailer and that set up will be about 650-750kg. The only issue will be recovery from the sea. You will have to take care as with only a 1.3 litre it will be lacking in grunt to pull her out. Best to use good shallow slipways.

I am sure it will be alright, just be aware of the limitations.

Regards

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
The specs for your car say 1200KGs for a braked trailer, but don't give a figure for an unbraked trailer, which may mean the manufacturer doesn't recommend an unbraked trailer.
Best to check as although you can compensate during driving for longer stopping distances it may mean your insurance is invalid and plod could do you for an illegal outfit.

You need mudguards as well. Using it without mudguards will invite a conversation with plod. Don't forget an unbraked trailer needs a stout safety cable, not the little lightweight ones that operate the brakes on braked trailers.

Slipways shouldn't be a problem if you use a long strop to the trailer and keep the car on the level ground above the slip. That at least prevents it having to climb the slope as well as the boat/trailer.
Using that method you could pull the outfit up by using the car backward and attaching the rope at a (strong) point at the front. The advantages are that reverse gear is lower and the weight of the car will be on the driving wheels.
 
looks like a 14' Dejon to me; i reckon you could tow it with a bicyle. 3 blokes could carry it, can't way more than a couple of hundred kilos.
 
its not a dejon but maybe a little shetland or a mariner14. with trailer only about 500kg. i lent my dejon to a friend last week and he pulled it with a 1.4 petrol nissan note with no problem. shallow slipway though.
 
A few quick points, the trailer should have a plate showing the weight limits for that trailer, make sure the boat complies with those limits, and no car can tow an unbraked trailer of more than 750Kg gross weight. For launch and recovery I would suggest using a rope between the trailer and the car that will allow the car to remain at least clear of the water when the boat floats on/off, and ideally on level ground with good traction. Also remeber speed limits for cars with trailers are lower than normal so check on that too.
 
Everyone has mentioned the 750Kg weight limit but the other important limiter to take into account is half the towing vehicle's kerb side weight.

So for your car the maximum you can tow is half of 1,330 Kg OR 750Kg whichever is the lower.... in this instance it is 665 Kg.
That is provided I've picked up the right kerbside weight on a quick Google search!

For unbraked trailers there has to be a 2:1 weight ratio between car and trailer with a maximum of 750Kg for trailer.
 
Hi All,

thank you very much for your advice - it has all been very helpful - i never knew any of that, so its been a great help.

I have never towed, let alone had a boat - so im a bit worried about it all.

Lake Sailor - what is the safety cable for?

See with everyone else's points about using a line attached o the trailer - are you suggesting i have the car say 10m up from the trailer (and hence flat) and then pull the trailer with the boat up until it is on level ground - turn car around, and then attach?

many thanks once again - i used to have a 1.9d citroen van, but im being alittle more green and have just purchased a brand new 1.3 doblo - hence all my questions, as im buying the above boat soon.

neil
 
[ QUOTE ]

Lake Sailor - what is the safety cable for?

See with everyone else's points about using a line attached o the trailer - are you suggesting i have the car say 10m up from the trailer (and hence flat) and then pull the trailer with the boat up until it is on level ground - turn car around, and then attach?



[/ QUOTE ]Yeah, sorry. Two separate issues.

The safety cable is what you attach to the tow bar from the trailer in case the tow hitch should fail. On a braked trailer it's a light cable attached to the brakes which pulls the trailer brakes on. On an unbraked trailer it's a sturdy affair which should stop the trailer from going off on it's own journey.

You've got the bit about using a strop right.

Safety cable

safetycable.jpg


Eye the hook connects to on tow bar

towbar.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top