trailer width on UK roads?

[dnv]

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

[biffer]

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

[Polwart]

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!).

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Polwart

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

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by biffer

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

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

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

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by biffer

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.

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Polwart

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

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by biffer

it was over 2.9 and got done

Sorry I thought you were saying your were over 2.3 but less than 2.9.

[biffer]

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