Trailer width

[tychez]

Does anyone know what the legal width limit for a boat/trailer combination. I am told it is 8ft2ins but I have seen a Hunter Ranger 265, the boat I am interested in buying, on a road trailer. The boat's beam is around 9 foot.

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[halcyon]

Used to be 8 foot 2 1/2 inches, or no more than a foot wider each side than the towing vehicle. Thus landrover's / rangerovers used to be 6' 2 1/2" wide. There is also weight limits to check as well.
Local police will advise if there are any changes or what the current standing is.

Brian

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[jkim1]

You may well be able to tow it. I once read an article in PBO on E boats, which are too wide to be towed on the continent, using a conventional trailer. But can be towed legally here. And on the continent, if the towing car is registered in the UK. I suggest that you ask the E boat association secretary. I used to tow my E boat and never had any problems, an E boat is 9ft 6 inches wide. It may be that it depends as to when the trailer was made. If you do buy or make a trailer go for one with a dolly as that will keep the trailer out of the water.

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[ex-Gladys]

IIRC it's a metric measurement and 2.5 metres seems to stick in the mind

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[Sunnyseeker]

Why not give the AA a call, they're sure to know, they did a route plan for us towing a wide boat to Italy, there were different rules for each country. Maybe Brussels has sorted one rule now? tow it with a french tractor then you can go (and stop) anywhere!

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[fastjedi]

Went into this in some detail when I bought a trailer sailer about 18 months ago.

As I remember it ...... If your tow vehicle is less than 3500kg (This is a good bit more tham a Range Rover) then ......
The max width of the trailer = 2.3m
But the load (boat) can over hang by 300mm each side








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[derekh]

I tow my 28' sunseeker which is 10'6" wide. Just twice a year - 65 miles each way.
I tow at 7.30am Sunday morning and give the police a ring to let them know. They have never questioned the obvious over width. I trailered the boat from the south of England to North Ireland a few years ago.

<hr width=100% size=1>Work ? don't be daft , the suns out.

 

[oldharry]

Check widths with AA, but it used to be 3 metres including overhgangs. The trailer should not be more than a certain amount wider than the towing vehicle, and the load can only over hang the trailer width by another foot or so. But the figures may have changed. Dont ask the Police. They will not tell you until they see the outfit on the road. Towing weights are also critical , and are more likely to be checked up by the police.

Your car / towing vehicle has a plate usually in the engine bay specifying the maximum towing capacity, usually around 80% of the stated Gross Vehicle Weight for cars. More for Commercials and landrovers etc. You need to know the all up weight of the boat you are towing including the trailer and all the gear, outboard etc. Its surprising how much it adds up over the manufacturers 'dry' weight. If this exceeds the manufacturers stated maximum towing weight for the car, then the law can put a stop order on your outfit, and refuse to allow you to take it any further! Expensive and time consuming!

The other figure you need to be aware of is the Gross Train Weight: this is the maximum permissible loaded weight for the car and trailer and all the gear you have stuffed in the boot - the figure you get if the whole shooting match was put on a weighbridge. (Which the law will do if they think you are over the limit.).

Look up your local Indispension stockist - they are usually very well up and helpful on current trailer law.

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[danera]

From the NTTA (National Trailer & Towing Association) website www.ntta.co.uk, maximum trailer width is 2.5m, but overhangs (ie boat) can be upto 2.9m.

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[halcyon]

Provided that the tow vehicle weights over 3500 kg.


Brian

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[richardandtracy]

2.9m is the maximum load width before the police need to be notified before your journey.

If the load overhangs the trailer OR tractor unit (whichever is smaller) by more than 300mm on either side wide load markings are required.

If the load overhangs the trailer by more than 600mm at the rear or 300mm at the fron overhanging load markings are required.

It is inadvisable to tow a load more than 16ft high from the road on the motorway as the design clearance is only 16ft 6in - and that can vary by 2" depending on weather & state of surface repair.

Special rules apply at the Dartford Crossing.

(I have designed a transport box 2.895m wide & 3.5m high x 8.3m long that goes on the back of an artic this year, and had to get the latest regs from the DoT [or whatever they call themselves this week])

Regards

Richard.


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[tychez]

Many thanks to all of you for a mine of information

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