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Old 08 February 2010, 17:29   #1
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trailer width on UK roads?

Dear all

in preparation of a trip to UK to buy a RIB and bringing it to Hamburg, I was looking into regulations on trailers. I found
"... . If, however, the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less, then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively. In both cases, the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle."
(http://www.solentribster.com/towing_requirements.htm)

As I am looking at a RIB having a beam of 2.6m, this might be of concern to me...
Three questions come to my mind
1. is the information true?
2. what do you do when towing?
3. if it true, what can I do about it?

I appreciate your advise
Jan
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:01   #2
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yes true, let the tubes down on the boat and it should be under the width, generally it's not to bad over here with the law, there is somthing in my mind about trailer laws being different over there, i sent a digger on a trailer to spain and the original trailer was not legal on the continent, i would check this in your country, i don't think you'll have too much trouble getting it out of the country
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:08   #3
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I believe (in the UK) that the 2.3 m MAX width applies to the trailer and not the load/boat. The load/boat is permitted to overhand each side of the trailer by 30cm giving you 2.9m max width overall. May be worth checking ferry width restrictions though (I am sure they can fit you on - but they will charge extra if they can!).
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:12   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Polwart View Post
I believe (in the UK) that the 2.3 m MAX width applies to the trailer and not the load/boat. The load/boat is permitted to overhand each side of the trailer by 30cm giving you 2.9m max width overall. May be worth checking ferry width restrictions though (I am sure they can fit you on - but they will charge extra if they can!).
been done for it already so have henshaws i believe, the answer i got from plod was, lorries are 8ft wide what makes you special
one more point, sometimes at the ferry they try to book you in as commercial and it costs a fortune, when working for ribtec i took one to belgium and this happened, i drove back out round the roundabout and back in, booked on the same ferry as taking my boat on holiday and got away with it
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:31   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by biffer View Post
the answer i got from plod was, lorries are 8ft wide what makes you special
I actually think many including my own is/are wider at the mirrors, nearer 9 feet IIRC
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:39   #6
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I actually think many including my own is/are wider at the mirrors, nearer 9 feet IIRC
that's what i thought, this was a few years ago and it may have changed, but i did measure an artic trailer at the time and he was right
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:48   #7
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been done for it already so have henshaws i believe, the answer i got from plod was, lorries are 8ft wide what makes you special
Really what was the offence they charged you with? Because as I understand it it is only an "abnormal load" if greater than 2.9m width.

This says 2.9m: http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm although this actually says 3.0m ttp://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/drivingforwork/largeorheavyloads/backgroundanddefinitions?page=1#a1001

Nothing makes you special - the lorry is allowed an overhang if it has an indivisible load also.
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Old 08 February 2010, 18:57   #8
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Quote:
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Really what was the offence they charged you with? Because as I understand it it is only an "abnormal load" if greater than 2.9m width.

This says 2.9m: http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm although this actually says 3.0m ttp://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/drivingforwork/largeorheavyloads/backgroundanddefinitions?page=1#a1001

Nothing makes you special - the lorry is allowed an overhang if it has an indivisible load also.
it was over 2.9 and got done for abnormal load, i think lorries have loads of overhangs but the trailers don't, most trailers take containers and i think they're 2.4 wide, correct me if i'm wrong cause i'm not going to do another marathon with you, the trouble with getting done is they say if you fight it it could cost you loads and now the new law says you still have to pay costs even if you win
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Old 08 February 2010, 19:00   #9
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it was over 2.9 and got done
Sorry I thought you were saying your were over 2.3 but less than 2.9.
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Old 08 February 2010, 19:08   #10
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i think it's safe to say if it look's wrong even if it isn't they will stop you, so if the tubes are near width let them down and secure them, cos once they stop you they'll have a good look over everything
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Old 08 February 2010, 19:27   #11
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Towing

Maximum Trailer Dimensions

Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 m
Width Maximum 2.3 m

I fall within this bracket However width is 2.4m

I can't see anything about a 30cm overhang for this section.


Marking of rear overhang

* Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar. Prop bags I would have thought counted in this section..
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Old 08 February 2010, 19:52   #12
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yep, this is where it all goes silly cos my boat with drive is over 9m and then about 1.5m draw bar couple that to a 4x4 nissan navara and it's bloody long, i've never been stopped with this one but it does look the part with landrover wheels and pintle hitch and very heavy duty trailer chassis, it just looks right which is what i believe they look for to start with
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Old 12 February 2010, 09:06   #13
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It doesn't go quite up to the 2.6m mark, but the DfT has a consultation out (ending 16 February) about increasing the width of trailers for vehicles with a GVW of 3,500kg to 2.55m.

This could come into the UK as early as March:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2009-62/
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Old 12 February 2010, 09:11   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ecoXR24 View Post
It doesn't go quite up to the 2.6m mark, but the DfT has a consultation out (ending 16 February) about increasing the width of trailers for vehicles with a GVW of 3,500kg to 2.55m.

This could come into the UK as early as March:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2009-62/
Very interesting please be so kind as to keep the forum updated.
many thanks for the information..
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Old 12 February 2010, 09:21   #15
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yep, this is where it all goes silly cos my boat with drive is over 9m and then about 1.5m draw bar couple that to a 4x4 nissan navara and it's bloody long, i've never been stopped with this one but it does look the part with landrover wheels and pintle hitch and very heavy duty trailer chassis, it just looks right which is what i believe they look for to start with
Dimensions

If the towing vehicle has a permissible gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes the maximum width and length of the trailer are 2.55 metres and 12 metres respectively. If however the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively. In both cases the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle.
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Old 12 February 2010, 09:44   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonar View Post
Dimensions

If the towing vehicle has a permissible gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes the maximum width and length of the trailer are 2.55 metres and 12 metres respectively. If however the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively. In both cases the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle.
Have a read here

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

2300 mm wide trailer with up to 305 mm overhang either side to a total of 2900 mm
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Old 12 February 2010, 10:00   #17
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Have a read here

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

2300 mm wide trailer with up to 305 mm overhang either side to a total of 2900 mm
I did this applies to a Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW.

Mine is under the towing weight.
At least thats the way I see it. I might have missed something I will have another look and see.
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Old 12 February 2010, 10:17   #18
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for all the legal hassle if in doubt let the tubes down ,lash them back into the boat carefully with webbing straps ,anyhow if your going on a ferry it saves the risk of someone with a truck perhaps clipping and damaging a larger inflated tube ,
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Old 12 February 2010, 10:59   #19
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I did this applies to a Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW.

Mine is under the towing weight.
At least thats the way I see it. I might have missed something I will have another look and see.
Where does it say that then?
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Old 12 February 2010, 11:16   #20
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Originally Posted by bedajim View Post
Where does it say that then?
http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm

Maximum Trailer Dimensions

Towing vehicle up to 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 m
Width Maximum 2.3 m

the very first section..
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