Trailing

[Phil]

I am in between boats and am currently looking at an eight metre rib.Having looked at the rules for length of trailers I am confused.
It appears that 7.5m is a maximum but you see many adverts for longer vessels with trailers.
Can anyone help?

[John Kennett]

There's a very good web site all about trailers ant towing in the UK at www.ntta.co.uk

This is what it hs to say about dimensions:

Towing vehicle under 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 metres
Width Maximum 2.3 metres

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 metres if at least 4 wheels
Width Maximum 2.55 metres
Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 metres
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 metres

I think it's the bit about the "coupling and drawbar" that means you can get away with towing boats over 7m behind a car, as it's difficult on a boat trailer to say exactly where the trailer ends and the drawbar starts! Looks like a bit of a grey area to say the least . . .

John

[Phil]

Thanks;I'll have a word with some of the manufacturers as I'm looking for the new boat and see if they can shed any further light on the issue.