What will happen if i exceed max towing weight on the car?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

We have a trailer with max gross kg of 1500kg i think, payload of 1100kg i think. This is just about ok for our boat for occasional use. It was was originally on a twin axle trailer with higher kg but for ease of manouvering etc, changed over.

The boat is a 6.3 ocean pro. I think is 630kg.
With 175 opti, 195kg
Extra bench seat and other stuff 100kg
140 litres of fuel 140kg
Trailer 400kg

Total 1465kg so should be ok

A BMW 330D 2004 estate will tow max weight of 1800kg. If the weight was exceeded (let's assume it is)....what happens? Or is it just illegal.

Id guess the newer 3.0D engine from '03 is more than enough to pull it with 204bhp 410nm torque. Not much else has more power and it is rear wheel drive.

[Downhilldai]

Been to the weighbridge?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Been to the weighbridge?

Would only be towing to nw wales from anglesey. Think the nearest weighbridge is by chester.

[Mollers]

I'd get the rig on a weighbridge, you may be shocked.

Max towing weights are there for obvious reasons. Exceeding the limit as stated by the vehicle or trailer manufacturer could potentially get you into a pile of bother should you have a serious accident. If VOSA then discover that you're the wrong side of 1500kg they wouldn't be too impressed and your insurance company even less so.

[Polwart]

Your concerns in no particular order are stopping, prosecution, damaging the car (e.g. clutch?).

Does your "boat weight" include the engine?

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Does your "boat weight" include the engine?

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

With 175 opti, 195kg

I wouldn't be too sure though:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

trailer with max gross kg of 1500kg i think, payload of 1100kg i think. .....

6.3 ocean pro. I think is 630kg.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I wouldn't be too sure though:

Good point. A 150 Opti is 199kg.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Your concerns in no particular order are stopping, prosecution, damaging the car (e.g. clutch?).

Does your "boat weight" include the engine?

No. the engine is on top. We only tow it twice a year. To anglesey...and back. It is moored all season. Pulled it with the range rover and it was delivered from south of birmingham. Went fine. We were advised at point of sale it was for "launching purposes only" as we asked for the single axle trailer. Jono g uses the same trailer with the same boat all the time.

I was considering a couple of outings perhaps to pwllheli and cardigan bay a couple of times. Was debating a 330d estate and wondered how it would get on towing it. Clutch will be fine, prosecution i understand. Stopping i presume is the problem.

Question is more around what happens physically if the trailed weight is over the cars limit? Is it just stopping as the car is too light? The trailer is braked.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Question is more around what happens physically if the trailed weight is over the cars limit? Is it just stopping as the car is too light? The trailer is braked.

If the brakes work and you drive sensibly you shouldn't have too many problems.

A marine engineer once towed my 2t+ sports cuddy a couple of miles with a Fiesta van.

[Cypman]

The BMw will tow the rig OK, I towed an Ocean-Pro 6.3m with a petrol Honda CRV and it was great.
I agree with the others that a trip to the weighbridge is your best option, based on my boat I would expect you to be over the 1500kg but under the 1800kg limit. It is surprising how batteries, anchors etc,etc add to the weight.