Towing ribcraft 5.85

[Jieboy]

Whats the smallest size of car, engine what would be able to toe a Ribcraft 5.85, very little amount of petrol, gear. With a 150 yam 4 stroke? Only need to tow it twice a year @ 60 miles per trip?

[CJL]

I tow a 585 Ribtec with a Audi A3. Would not want to do it with anything smaller really.

I've got optimax 135 and 100litre tank with quite a bit of kit on board.

My old car, a golf was just about right too. Anything smaller would be stupid.

Chris

[Tim M]

Whats the total weight of that load?

[Jieboy]

CJL, how do you find the boat? engine? Whan sort of top end do you get? What is the engine like on fuel? Sorry for all the questions, just very interested in this boat spec. Thanks.

[Tim M]

For referance I towed a 900kg boat with a 1.2 Fiat Punto (illegal I know) without any dodgy effects.

[Steve Waters]

Originally Posted by Jieboy

Whats the smallest size of car, engine what would be able to toe a Ribcraft 5.85, very little amount of petrol, gear. With a 150 yam 4 stroke? Only need to tow it twice a year @ 60 miles per trip?

Hi Jieboy, It's not only about car size and engine. You need to work out a weight for the complete load and then look at what sort of vehicle you want to use. A lot of smaller cars have a very limited towing capability and may not be legally able to tow the total weight that you want to pull. For example my car has masses of pulling power (grossly overpowered! I have discovered!) does not always give the best towing ability I have a Volvo estate that just hates pulling my little RIB up a slippery slope because its front wheel drive and an automatic! not the best combination when it gets wet!! I have masses of towing experience but practical things like getting up a ramp were new to me. The Volvo is fine on the road! Get your weights sussed first then see what best suits you as an all round car. It really does depend what you want out of it: but do try and stay on the right side of the towing law 'cause overweight for your towing combination is like a red rag to the boys in blue....

[Steve Waters]

Originally Posted by CJL

I tow a 585 Ribtec with a Audi A3. Would not want to do it with anything smaller really.

I've got optimax 135 and 100litre tank with quite a bit of kit on board.

My old car, a golf was just about right too. Anything smaller would be stupid.

Chris

Fantastic looking bit of kit; did that A frame come withit?

[tcwozere]

Originally Posted by Jieboy

Only need to tow it twice a year @ 60 miles per trip?

Hire or borrow summat.. It doesn't make sense to work out your entire years driving on a 120 miles..

[DJL]

I've just ordered a Ribcraft 5.85 with Yam F150 - although Ribcraft say on their site that it should come in under a ton, I reckon mine will be more like 1150kg.

I will be towing it with a Ford Focus, but only to get it to the marina - I won't be towing regularly or launching with it.

The MAM of the standard Ribcraft trailer is 1500kg. Assuming you have a driving license with B+E or above you can legally get away with pretty much anything that has a towing limit greater than the weight of your boat - something in the region of 1200kg or more.

[Jieboy]

Tcwozere, I like you suggestion. Where would I go to hire such a vehice? How much would it cost?