Towing a Ribcraft 585 - Page 2

BogMonster · 19 April 2006, 17:15

Here are two photos of the "slipway" I use

Anybody that can get my RIB and (rather weighty) trailer up there with a 1.8 Golf can keep it

CJL · 19 April 2006, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Here are two photos of the "slipway" I use

Anybody that can get my RIB and (rather weighty) trailer up there with a 1.8 Golf can keep it

Ah your only saying that cause your so far away and you know no one can take you up on it!!!

Otherwise I'd give it a try!!!

Chris

Nos4r2 · 19 April 2006, 18:11

I DO know someone with a rather rare mk2 4x4 1800 Golf.......With a challenge like that it might be worth a clutch to find out

Hightower · 19 April 2006, 18:32

And I thought mine was bad.

CJL · 19 April 2006, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I DO know someone with a rather rare mk2 4x4 1800 Golf.......With a challenge like that it might be worth a clutch to find out

Worth quite a bit of money if in good condition!!

Chris

BogMonster · 19 April 2006, 19:23

4x4 Golfs are excluded from the offer

and you have to pay your own freight for the vehicle here and back (and the freight for the boat) which in total will cost about the same as the boat is worth...

I know there are no functioning Golfs here so I am safe

Put it this way I needed difflock in the 90 to get the empty trailer up there ... the boat has been in the water since the day after I bought it so I haven't tried it with that on (yet). You can't really see it in the photo but there is a big hole on the RH side which would ground out any ordinary car completely, you have to go down very very slowly so as not to bounce the boat off!

Jeff Pike · 19 April 2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

As a general observation (not specific to boats) I would be a bit wary of regularly towing near the max capacity of the vehicle. Power is one thing, but if the tail starts wagging the dog or if you have to stop in a real hurry, life can get very interesting very quickly ............. and both going up and going down hills was "interesting"...) but lots of spare capacity and a fair bit of weight is good to have when things go pear shaped!

Quite right - as you know (if you read the thread) I've been after a Disco to replace my wifes CRV. Just completed 550 miles to Loch Lomond & back over Easter. With RIB, trailer, kit, etc and 4 up with a boot stuffed full and on a very windy journey it was absolutely on the limit. Car made it but at times was out of puff on the hills. Soft sand slipway on the site so had to use the tractor to launch (another guy with a Landy had no trouble) & site entrance was too steep for the CRV to tow back out onto the road. Had to use the tractor again. IMHO cars & part time 4x4's are OK but they have limits and these are reached much quicker than with a decent 4x4.

Poly · 19 April 2006, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Most trailers have van tyres fitted to them.

??? Must have small vans in your part of the world...

CJL · 19 April 2006, 21:27

Well so far the two De Graffe trailers that I've bought had 14 inch Avon van tyres on them.

The trailer that came with my Humber also had standard 14inch rims.

Chris

Jeff Pike · 19 April 2006, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

The trailer that came with my Humber also had standard 14inch rims.

True - My Humber trailer came with 14" wheels.

Poly · 19 April 2006, 21:56

Maybe my mistake - i though most vans (e.g. transits) had 15" or bigger wheels. However my trailers have had 10 or 12" wheels.

Rogan · 21 April 2006, 17:32

I have access to a Jeep Cherokee but not all the time. I am considering putting a tow hitch on my Toyota Scion TC (Made for American market only, I think). Toyota says no towing at all but others think it can tow 1000 to 2000 pounds. Are most cars these days unibody? I have a feeling they say no towing becuase of our litigatous American society. Any thoughts?

Richard B · 21 April 2006, 18:42

In Europe, cars have to be type approved for towing. This approval sets out the towbar mount points so that third parties can manufacture and fit the appropriate brackets. Only a small number of cars, such as the Ford Ka, aren't type approved for towing, and I believe that there aren't any kits manufactured for these vehicles. To tow with one in Europe would be illlegal. The Ford Ka is similar in market position to the Toyota Scion - ie trendy motorised shoppong trolley

PS my compliments to you on posting in such a lucid and logical manner whilst under the influence!