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DAVIDO

DAVIDO

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Posted the other day re looking for a small speedy boat for No2 son and id like to publically thank Kawasaki for going out of his way to help. What a star that man is.
Anyway just trying to check what my sons car can tow and getting very confused looking at towing web sites.
The car is a 1.6gti polo 2002 and he passed his test 2 years ago.
Figures on the vin plate say;
1510
2310
830
750
whatever they mean /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
And how heavy is a small boat ie 14ft 50hp.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Dave
 
Cant help on vin plate but a friend of mine has an old BMW 318i and that easily tows his 14-15ft speed boat,60hp.
I would say you'd be ok, just nothing bigger than say 15ft. I'm sure a 15ft speed boat with trailer would'nt weigh anymore than an average 4berth caravan.
 
I acnt remember when the changes came in but...........



does his license cover him for towing. depending on the car/trailer it may be that he needs another category on his license. (category BE)
 
14ft speedbpoat, 50HP and trailer will be about 700-850KG MAX. So no problem towing it. The re will be an unbraked limit (normally 750KG) and a braked limit (normally 1500KG).

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
By The Way,

Are you all aware that Snipe Trailers have gone bust again and Admiral Trailers? The waiting list for new trailers can be up to 4 weeks if you can not find one in stock somewhere. Also means that the prices of used newish examples are holding up well!

Cheers

paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'm not absolutely sure but my take on the figures is as follows:-
1510 - Unladen Weight of car
2310 - Max Laden weight of car (i.e. fully loaded with people, luggage, dogs and duty free)
830 - max weight of braked trailer
750 - max weight of unbraked trailer.

Remember to take the weight of the trailer into account as well as the boat that's on it..

Good luck
 
Hi, the weights on the vin plate are the maximum weights - as used, with driver, passengers, tools, fuel etc as follows:
1510 vehicle weight
2310 train weight (vehicle & trailer)
830 front axle
750 rear axle
So, with the car at it's max. weight, the boat and trailer can be up to 800kg (ie 2310 - 1510kg). If the car weighs less, the trailer can weigh more.
However, if the trailer has no brakes, the trailer weight is reduced to 750kg or half the weight of the car, whichever is the less.
I think an extra driving test is needed only if the train weight exceeds 3500kg, so it shouldn't apply in this case.
Sorry it's a bit complicated, but the law usually is!
Hope this helps
Bob
 
I second what bobthesailor2 has said.

I also passed my test after 1997 and therefore fall in the same bracket as your son.

I understand from the following that your son should be ok with his rig without taking an additional license

"Category B vehicles with larger trailers i.e. > 750kg, provided that the combined MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. To be able to tow combinations outside this ruling requires the passing of an additional test"

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/driving_licences.htm

Apologies if i have opened another mass trailer debate...
 
Many thanks for all replies so the max weight of the car is 1510kgs with peeps etc so trailor weight can be up too 750kgs or half the weight of the bare car being about 500kgs?
 
Never mind all that, a front wheel drive Polo is going to be spinning all over the place trying to haul the boat up a slipway.

He might consider a modest four wheel drive, such as a Suzuki Grand Vitara for boating. Probably less power, but better towing weight, better traction, and more luggage space, for he'll need that too!
 
I concur.

The Polo will feel just fine initially, but has pretty wanky rear suspension, so once a couple of mates are loaded in along with all the fuel tanks, and other boaty stuff it's going to handle like an underinflated jelly on greased castors.

It's actually an accident waiting to happen, especially with a young inexperienced driver.

Sensibly priced stuff would include most of the 4WD cars, like a Mondeo, or older Audi 80 quatro. Great stable, powerful machines which should cost under two grand.
 
The figures on the VIN plate are quite significant.
Add em all up and stick a £ sign in front.
By the time a boat and towcar is sorted that's the figure He'll need /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Hi Davido
Sorry, I didn't make it clear.
The trailer can be 750kg or half the laden weight of the car whichever is the less.
The laden weight is whatever the car actually weighs on that journey and includes the driver plus any passengers, tools, fuel etc. but of course must not exceed the 1510kg on the vin plate.
Bob
 
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