Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
 
Old 04 August 2010, 23:10   #1
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
Biggest rib you can tow behind a hatchback

What is the biggest rib you can legally and physically/practically tow (and pull up a steep slipway) behind a hatchback sized car like my focus without needing to take any additional driving tests or anything?

My rib is currently 5.2m and probably has a gross weight with trailer of about 750kg, maybe a bit more. Car doesn't have much trouble towing it the 1.5 miles to the slip so was wondering how much bigger I could go without having to also buy another tow vehicle.

Cheers,

Tim
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04 August 2010, 23:26   #2
Member
 
Hightower's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Fareham
Length: 6m +
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,866
Quote:
Originally Posted by slimtim View Post
What is the biggest rib you can legally and physically/practically tow (and pull up a steep slipway) behind a hatchback sized car like my focus without needing to take any additional driving tests or anything?

My rib is currently 5.2m and probably has a gross weight with trailer of about 750kg, maybe a bit more. Car doesn't have much trouble towing it the 1.5 miles to the slip so was wondering how much bigger I could go without having to also buy another tow vehicle.

Cheers,

Tim
First you'll have to look at the tow limits for your particular size of car Tim. This will dictate what size RIB and trailer you can tow.

The towing a RIB up a slipway will depend on the slip in question. Shingle/Concrete....Steep/Shallow. One things for sure though! Using a FWD car will compromise you significantly for easy and reliable retreval. A RWD car would be better, but a 4x4 is best. If you're stuck with your FWD Focus then fitting a Front detachable tow bar is a possibility.

Of course there is always a long length of rope tied to the tow bar solution.

So there are some options for you.
__________________
Andy

Looks Slow but is Fast
Member of the ebay Blue RIB cover club.
Hightower is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04 August 2010, 23:48   #3
RIBnet admin team
 
Poly's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Boat name: imposter
Make: FunYak
Length: 3m +
Engine: Tohatsu 30HP
MMSI: 235089819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,627
Tim,

You might already be illegal!

The maximum you can tow with an unbraked trailer is 50% of the Unladen weight of the car. Depending on the model of focus this could restrict you to something around 550kg.

Since you ask about licenses then I assume you passed your test post Jan 1997. In which case you want to know what you can tow with a Cat B license. Unbraked up to 750 kg provided within the limits of the vehicle. Braked - a trailer with a MAM not exceeding the MAM of the vehicle PROVIDED that the combined MAM of trailer and car also don't exceed 3500 kg.

e.g. If the maximum laden weight of your car (and this is a guess) is 2000 kg then you could tow a braked trailer with a maximum authorised mass of up to 1500 kg.

How well it will get up a slip may be a different question but I think depends more on the slip (steepness, surface etc) and your tyres than just the car!
__________________
Poly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04 August 2010, 23:59   #4
RIBnet admin team
 
Poly's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Boat name: imposter
Make: FunYak
Length: 3m +
Engine: Tohatsu 30HP
MMSI: 235089819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,627
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hightower View Post
First you'll have to look at the tow limits for your particular size of car Tim. This will dictate what size RIB and trailer you can tow.

The towing a RIB up a slipway will depend on the slip in question. Shingle/Concrete....Steep/Shallow. One things for sure though! Using a FWD car will compromise you significantly for easy and reliable retreval. A RWD car would be better, but a 4x4 is best. If you're stuck with your FWD Focus then fitting a Front detachable tow bar is a possibility.

Of course there is always a long length of rope tied to the tow bar solution.

So there are some options for you.
Andy is probably right - and a 4x4 is the ideal solution of getting it up the slip - but bear in mind that the MAM of a typical 4x4 will usually mean that you can't tow a significant sized trailer and keep the total train weight under 3500kg - forcing you down the licence upgrade route.
__________________
Poly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 08:34   #5
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
My trailer is currently braked and I passed my test after '97. Was thinking whether 6m or even 6.5m would be doable. I read somewhere there is also a width limit.

So don't know what MAM is but anyway....if the laden weight of the car is say 1500kg which is probably more realistic, I could tow a braked trailer upto 1500kg because it matches the weight of the car? How heavy is a 6m or 6.5m on a trailer?
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 08:37   #6
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
Oh and the slipway is yarmouth which you're familiar with Andy. Steep concrete, well maintained. Focus handles it ok with a bit of grunt.
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 09:09   #7
Member
 
Erin's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Channel Islands
Town: A large rock
Boat name: La Frette
Make: Osprey Vipermax
Length: 6m +
Engine: 200 Suzzy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,893
MAM is maximum authorised mass. It will be stamped on the ID plate somewhere on the car. My 6.5 inc trailer weighs about 1700kg. I'm sure this would exceed the towing capability of your car and therefore be illegal. However, I'm sure the car would still be able to tow it, even up a slipway, but it won't do the clutch or gearbox much good.

You need to delve into your handbook to get the figures for the car.
__________________
Erin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 09:35   #8
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
So MAM is the max mass that can be towed (I assume its this) or the max gross mass of car and trailer?!
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 09:55   #9
RIBnet admin team
 
Poly's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Boat name: imposter
Make: FunYak
Length: 3m +
Engine: Tohatsu 30HP
MMSI: 235089819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,627
Quote:
Originally Posted by slimtim View Post
So MAM is the max mass that can be towed (I assume its this) or the max gross mass of car and trailer?!
MAM is the maximum gross weight of the car. i.e the car, fuel, people and whatever the design expected to get crammed in the boot and should be on a plate on the car (usually under the bonnet or on driver's door/post.

The trailer will also have a plate with its maximum laden weight on it. Beware that if you tow a 2000kg trailer with a 1500kg MAM car (on a post 97 cat B only licence) you will be illegal even if the trailer was empty and only weighed 300 kg. Its the authorised limit that matters rather than the actual weight.

The combined limits for the car and trailer must also not exceed 3.5 tonnes for your current license.

In terms of width - I don't think you need to worry if you are looking at 6.5m boats. The max width is the same for everyone regarless of license.
__________________
Poly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 10:00   #10
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
Google found this thread which is useful assuming its correct:

http://www.toyotagtturbo.com/forums/...ad.php?t=51154

So my max towable weight is probably about 1300kg but it seems I would be limited to the unlaiden weight of the car which is less, around 1100kg. I doubt a 6m would squeeze under this?
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 10:09   #11
RIBnet admin team
 
Poly's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Scotland
Boat name: imposter
Make: FunYak
Length: 3m +
Engine: Tohatsu 30HP
MMSI: 235089819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,627
Quote:
Originally Posted by slimtim View Post
but it seems I would be limited to the unlaiden weight of the car which is less, around 1100kg.
yes sorry Tim, I've checked the direct.gov site (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...es/DG_10013073) and I've mixed up my MAM's and unladen weights. As you say the MAM of the trailer must not exceed the UNLADEN weight of the Car (whereas I thought it was the MAM of the car).
__________________
Poly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 10:49   #12
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: I.O.W/Switzerland
Boat name: HotShot
Make: shakey
Length: 5m +
Engine: 90hp Tohatsu TLDI
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,559
Ok so that's now clear, thanks.

How much does a 6m weigh with trailer? Would it be under 1100kg? I doubt it but it can't be far off...
__________________
slimtim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 16:53   #13
Member
 
Simon B's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Leicester
Boat name: Vixen
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 6m +
Engine: Suzuki OB 175
MMSI: 235071839
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,624
The differences between boat lengths can be a bit deceptive an extra 500mm of tube, GRP and some trailer ironwork may not add much to the all up weight. Engine choice and other items such as single or twin axles can quickly change this total weight.
__________________
New boat is here, very happy!
Simon
www.luec.org
Simon B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 17:07   #14
Member
 
Hightower's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Fareham
Length: 6m +
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,866
Quote:
Originally Posted by slimtim View Post
Google found this thread which is useful assuming its correct:

http://www.toyotagtturbo.com/forums/...ad.php?t=51154

So my max towable weight is probably about 1300kg but it seems I would be limited to the unlaiden weight of the car which is less, around 1100kg. I doubt a 6m would squeeze under this?
Your max towable weight is what the manufacturers handbook for the car says it is, even if you work out that you can tow a heavier load.

I see that most Focus's have a limit of 1200kgs with one or two more powerful ones up to 1500kgs
__________________
Andy

Looks Slow but is Fast
Member of the ebay Blue RIB cover club.
Hightower is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 17:11   #15
Member
 
Hightower's Avatar
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Fareham
Length: 6m +
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,866
Quote:
Originally Posted by slimtim View Post
Ok so that's now clear, thanks.

How much does a 6m weigh with trailer? Would it be under 1100kg? I doubt it but it can't be far off...
My 6.2m boat and trailer weighs in well over 1100kg, just shy of 1700kgs with a full tank.
__________________
Andy

Looks Slow but is Fast
Member of the ebay Blue RIB cover club.
Hightower is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 22:36   #16
Member
 
martini's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Channel Islands
Town: jersey
Boat name: Martini II
Make: Arctic 28/FC470
Length: 8m +
Engine: twin 225Opti/50hp 2t
MMSI: 235067688
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,030
My 8.5m dinghy and trailer weigh 5000kgs, perfectly legal right?
__________________
martini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 22:57   #17
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Mighty Penryn
Boat name: Little Joe.
Make: Avon Searider
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,875
Quote:
Originally Posted by martini View Post
My 8.5m dinghy and trailer weigh 5000kgs, perfectly legal right?
The two coppers on your rock are tied up keeping guard at Haute De La Garenne. None left to nab you and your 5t trailer.
__________________
Mollers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 23:08   #18
Member
 
martini's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Channel Islands
Town: jersey
Boat name: Martini II
Make: Arctic 28/FC470
Length: 8m +
Engine: twin 225Opti/50hp 2t
MMSI: 235067688
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,030
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollers View Post
The two coppers on your rock are tied up keeping guard at Haute De La Garenne. None left to nab you and your 5t trailer.
2?? We've got 13 different police forces over here Not bad for an island 9x5 miles
__________________
martini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 23:15   #19
Member
 
Country: UK - England
Town: Mighty Penryn
Boat name: Little Joe.
Make: Avon Searider
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,875
Quote:
Originally Posted by martini View Post
We've got 13 different police forces over here
So does each one call himself a "force"?

PC's Vader and Kenobe were on the scene, d'ya know wot I mean?
__________________
Mollers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05 August 2010, 23:29   #20
Member
 
martini's Avatar
 
Country: UK - Channel Islands
Town: jersey
Boat name: Martini II
Make: Arctic 28/FC470
Length: 8m +
Engine: twin 225Opti/50hp 2t
MMSI: 235067688
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,030
No, but good luck to anyone who thinks they can convince any of that lot that they actually are NOT the Ruler of the Universe
__________________
martini is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

« Trailer Setup | Top | Tyres »
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




All times are GMT. The time now is 02:25.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.