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Old 24 January 2012, 16:41   #1
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Towing Question "Have I got this right??"

I have been doing a lot of reading on this subject however would welcome some informed advice.

I would like to widen my cruising area and its cheaper to tow a boat at 25mpg rather than boat it at 2.5 mpg!

I have an 8.6m RIB with a (calculated) weight of boat and engine of 1140 kgs. My trailer weighs 950 kgs so total weight excluding fuel and gear is say 2100 kgs.
My vehicle is an X5 3.0D auto with a gross weight of 2695 kgs and towing capacity of 2700 kgs.
I have a licence that includes BE, B1, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E.

If (big if) I decided to put a towbar etc on the car would
a) I be allowed to drive it and
b) it be a relatively safe rig

I accept that this would be a big rig and that some slipways may be tricky. I have done a lot of towing in the past but the changes to the regulations have passed me by so could someone who understands these regulations let me have the beneift of their wisdom.

Many thanks
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Old 24 January 2012, 16:48   #2
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Assuming your trailer brakes work properly and it's rated to carry the weight of the boat then yes, it's legal and no problem.


I wouldn't have a problem towing it myself-I'll be trailering my 7.8 everywhere. You may find you need mirror extensions.
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Old 24 January 2012, 17:02   #3
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Assuming your trailer brakes work properly and it's rated to carry the weight of the boat then yes, it's legal and no problem.


I wouldn't have a problem towing it myself-I'll be trailering my 7.8 everywhere. You may find you need mirror extensions.
Thanks.

I thought it was probably OK but wanted to check. If I was going to do this I would get the trailer a full service first and get a spare wheel. I had one go on a single axle years ago and leaving a boat on the verge while I went off to try and find a replacement is not something I want to do again.
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Old 24 January 2012, 17:06   #4
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Don't know about the licence part it's not the length that troubles me when towing its the width
People reckon on 85% of your car weight if novice at it.
One of my customers got charged £3000 for a tow bar on an X5 at main dealer apparently they have to alter the engine mapping so be warned.
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Old 24 January 2012, 17:16   #5
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There is some coding required for the electrics but its minor. The removable towbar is about £1000 from BMW but much cheaper if you get a top quality Witter or similar from a specialist.

The £3000 could have been to have the extra duty towing pack added that includes a transmision cooler and other mods. That might explain it. It does increase the rated capacity to 3500 kgs so it must be fairly significant not just a simple bolt on job!

Good advice on the 85%. Thanks
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Old 24 January 2012, 18:09   #6
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You would think a motor of that cost and calibre would come ready to tow, when you can get a Defender and go out and pull 3500 kg.
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Old 24 January 2012, 18:14   #7
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You would think a motor of that cost and calibre would come ready to tow, when you can get a Defender and go out and pull 3500 kg.
Could that be why BMW are BMW, and Land Rover are now .....Indian??
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Old 24 January 2012, 18:17   #8
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Here we go! The land rover brigade get started. I love defenders and drove 1000s of miles when i was farming But not for 90% of my driving which is on Tarmac. I like my climate control, leather, decent handling, decent power, reasonable consumption. For most people 2700 kgs is plenty. If you want some comfort and 3500 kgs buy a disco or rangy. But the Chelsea tractor suits me fine thanks. And it goes with my poncey rib!
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Old 24 January 2012, 18:22   #9
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Steady on fella. I was not commenting on the products, more the marketing strategies used by the respective companies. Anyway, it is probably a mute point now, as LR seem to be goiing the same route, vis Evoque etc. etc.
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Old 24 January 2012, 18:58   #10
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Licence and weights are fine

The 85% thing is for caravans and to be honest is ok just as a guide for newbies

There are many vehicles out there which have been designed to tow much more than their fully loaded GVW

You did not mention what the MAM of the trailer was but as long as it is between 2100 and 3500 you will be ok
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Old 24 January 2012, 19:03   #11
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Steady on fella. I was not commenting on the products, more the marketing strategies used by the respective companies. Anyway, it is probably a mute point now, as LR seem to be goiing the same route, vis Evoque etc. etc.
Me neither just stating what I have heard its the same with mobile phones how many top end cars come without bluetooth
I buy my gear to do the job that's why I have 2 Land rovers and a Redbay Stormforce
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Old 24 January 2012, 19:14   #12
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Am I right in thinking a normal (old skool) car licence covers upto 3500Kgs, no more ?

Is there no way (no vehicle) to tow anything heavier on this licence?

The big RIBtec is over 3ton, so I have always imagined it could not be transported by road behind a car (even if its only about 3ton, I dont think you could get a trailer in under 500Kg)
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Old 24 January 2012, 19:26   #13
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It's a mine field just found this
http://www.solentribster.com/towing_requirements.htm
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Old 24 January 2012, 20:00   #14
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It's a mine field just found this
Legal requirements for trailers and towing a RIB
They got this buit wrong -

So if for example you have a car with a maximum weight of 2180 kg and a train weight of 3980 kg the maximum towing capacity will be 3980 kg minus 2180 kg, which gives a towing capacity of 1800kg

The above will only be true if the vehicle is loaded to the max

If there is no listed towing capacity then the GTW can be spread between the vehicle and trailer as long as these weights are not exceeded
Vehicle GVW
Trailer MAM
GTW
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Old 24 January 2012, 20:39   #15
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Im an E70 X5 driver (4.8) and find its a great towing vehicle what with the self levelling suspension etc

I dont think any of the land rover types can hold a candle to this machine unless they are top drawer RR types (or want to go off road)

My front disk brakes are as large and thick as some 7.5 tonne trucks that Ive owned !

And the best bit is .. it spends most of its life in my garage .. and not the bloody dealers
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Old 24 January 2012, 20:43   #16
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And the best bit is .. it spends most of its life in my garage .. and not the bloody dealers [/QUOTE]




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Old 24 January 2012, 20:52   #17
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And the best bit is .. it spends most of its life in my garage .. and not the bloody dealers



[/QUOTE]

Do I have to spell it out PARKED in my garage , and not getting REPAIRED in the dealers garage .... you should be proud ... some fine German engineering

Now .. you've made a pigs ear of your quotes as usual look ... Nurse
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Old 24 January 2012, 21:00   #18
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Have a look at tow car of the year 2010
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Old 24 January 2012, 21:12   #19
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Licence and weights are fine

The 85% thing is for caravans and to be honest is ok just as a guide for newbies

There are many vehicles out there which have been designed to tow much more than their fully loaded GVW

You did not mention what the MAM of the trailer was but as long as it is between 2100 and 3500 you will be ok
Thanks, I'll check that
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Old 24 January 2012, 21:14   #20
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I tow with the X5 3.0 D - I wanted the Disco but the X5 has a TV and Playstation in the boot. So we (spelt with no W and an SH) bought that.

It's very comfortable on those long hauls. I had to have it re-mapped as it was boring as standard. Different animal now and I get a few extra MPG too. I've hauled in a lot of different boat but mostly 1500-1800 kgs. Had I been on the next bracket up I'd have forced through the Disco TDV6.

Overall I'm happy, although the toys never get used and it takes up all my boot space :GRR:

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007
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