Long-distance towing

[allegria]

Some questions about towing-

- Would it be realistic to tow from London to the South of France in one long stint?. I've done it by car - took 10 hours, no problem at all.
- boat covers for towing, can you get custom made/quality material covers which will last, if so please recommend. ( have seen covers shreaded when taken this distance).
- Towing cars what do people recommend?, for a 6m rib.
- other than- "don't stop on the autoroute at night because i'll be robbed"
any other bits of advice.

This will be for Summer 2006 probaly late June. You might want to bear in mind i'm only 19!.

[Matt]

Towed a 25' raceboat down to Italy in October. Was absolutely fine.

[MarkM]

Tow this one all over Europe. France, Italy, Croatia. I usely take a campsite near Macon, just north of Lyon. Drive on drive off and sleep in the car. Easy to get there in one day and next day to your destination. Many boats and caravans on that campsite for just one night.

[Matt]

So what's the age limit, and license requirements, for towing these days?

[Mollers]

As long as the trailer is in good fettle and up to the job you can tow as far as you like. I find it a little more tiring than not towing as you can't blat along at the same sort of speeds and in terms of driving style you need to be aware that there is a fairly heavy object attached to the rear at all times. Might sound obvious, but it is easy to momentarily forget when approaching a bend at a rapid velocity.

[MarkM]

I do this for about 10 years with three different boats. Tigh down the cover(s) with extra rope. Never leave the combination on its alone when parking even with the car locked. Have some one stay with it.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by MadMat

So what's the age limit, and license requirements, for towing these days?

Thread here Matt:

Towing Regulations

I believe with a new style license like mine, you can tow up to 750kg, and then you have to take a towing license.
How old do you have to be to drive abroad? I remember looking into this and Im sure you have to have a few years driving experience or something.

Alex

[allegria]

You only have to be 18 to drive in France, 21 to rent a car. Can't find anything about an age restriction for towing. Is that 750kg include the trailer?.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by allegria

You only have to be 18 to drive in France, 21 to rent a car. Can't find anything about an age restriction for towing. Is that 750kg include the trailer?.

Yeah, 750kg all up I think, which is not a lot in rib terms, I think my baby 4m must be around 500kg.
Towing test isn't too much bother I don't think, proabably just towing a box trailer around a few cones

Alex

[Pete7]

The AA offer a european breakdown cover which might be useful if it all goes pear shaped. For the extra £75 per year (1998) it did provide peace of mind. They were also a good source of info ref additional kit to carry which some countries require by law.

Yep destroyed my first boat cover by towing it on a long journey (Stranraer to Pompey) so I now take it off. Also carried a couple of spare sets of bearings and some grease.

Pete