Long-distance towing

allegria · 12 January 2006, 10:51

Some questions about towing-

- Would it be realistic to tow from London to the South of France in one long stint?. I've done it by car - took 10 hours, no problem at all.
- boat covers for towing, can you get custom made/quality material covers which will last, if so please recommend. ( have seen covers shreaded when taken this distance).
- Towing cars what do people recommend?, for a 6m rib.
- other than- "don't stop on the autoroute at night because i'll be robbed"
any other bits of advice.

This will be for Summer 2006 probaly late June. You might want to bear in mind i'm only 19!.

Matt · 12 January 2006, 11:03

Towed a 25' raceboat down to Italy in October. Was absolutely fine.

MarkM · 12 January 2006, 11:15

Tow this one all over Europe. France, Italy, Croatia. I usely take a campsite near Macon, just north of Lyon. Drive on drive off and sleep in the car. Easy to get there in one day and next day to your destination. Many boats and caravans on that campsite for just one night.

Matt · 12 January 2006, 11:17

So what's the age limit, and license requirements, for towing these days?

Mollers · 12 January 2006, 11:18

As long as the trailer is in good fettle and up to the job you can tow as far as you like. I find it a little more tiring than not towing as you can't blat along at the same sort of speeds and in terms of driving style you need to be aware that there is a fairly heavy object attached to the rear at all times. Might sound obvious, but it is easy to momentarily forget when approaching a bend at a rapid velocity.

MarkM · 12 January 2006, 11:28

I do this for about 10 years with three different boats. Tigh down the cover(s) with extra rope. Never leave the combination on its alone when parking even with the car locked. Have some one stay with it.

ADS · 12 January 2006, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

So what's the age limit, and license requirements, for towing these days?

Thread here Matt:

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....towing+license

I believe with a new style license like mine, you can tow up to 750kg, and then you have to take a towing license.
How old do you have to be to drive abroad? I remember looking into this and Im sure you have to have a few years driving experience or something.

Alex

allegria · 12 January 2006, 11:42

You only have to be 18 to drive in France, 21 to rent a car. Can't find anything about an age restriction for towing. Is that 750kg include the trailer?.

ADS · 12 January 2006, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegria

You only have to be 18 to drive in France, 21 to rent a car. Can't find anything about an age restriction for towing. Is that 750kg include the trailer?.

Yeah, 750kg all up I think, which is not a lot in rib terms, I think my baby 4m must be around 500kg.
Towing test isn't too much bother I don't think, proabably just towing a box trailer around a few cones

Alex

Pete7 · 12 January 2006, 13:37

The AA offer a european breakdown cover which might be useful if it all goes pear shaped. For the extra £75 per year (1998) it did provide peace of mind. They were also a good source of info ref additional kit to carry which some countries require by law.

Yep destroyed my first boat cover by towing it on a long journey (Stranraer to Pompey) so I now take it off. Also carried a couple of spare sets of bearings and some grease.

Pete

Matt · 12 January 2006, 13:40

And rest assured, if you carry em, you'll never need em.

I found towing long distance I was less inclined to fall asleep than if not towing - cos it was Adam's boat so I was paying attention more - didn't want to wreck it!

allegria · 12 January 2006, 14:00

Do i therefore need a towing license to tow:

A 6m rib weighing 690kg which is within the width/lenght restrictions on a Hallmark super rollercoaster 5. The tow car an 06 New Vauxhall Astra 1.9 (150ps) SRI sportshatch has a towing weight of 1500kg and its own kerbweight is 1343kg. Not entirely sure how much the trailer weighs.

Any ideas?

ADS · 12 January 2006, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegria

Do i therefore need a towing license to tow:

A 6m rib weighing 690kg which is within the width/lenght restrictions on a Hallmark super rollercoaster 5. The tow car an 06 New Vauxhall Astra 1.9 (150ps) SRI sportshatch has a towing weight of 1500kg and its own kerbweight is 1343kg. Not entirely sure how much the trailer weighs.

Any ideas?

You probably need to take the boat and trailer to a weigh bridge to find the all up weight, if its under 750kg (which is unlikely by the time you have some fuel in it and the weight of the trailer) you will be ok on your current license.

When did you take your test and on the back of your photcard license do you have a trailer symbol?

Alex

allegria · 12 January 2006, 14:15

19th May 04. on the back it just says i've covered for B, B1,f, k and p.

ADS · 12 January 2006, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegria

19th May 04. on the back it just says i've covered for B, B1,f, k and p.

yeah you got the same as me, which means you will need a trailer license to tow anything with more than an all up weight of 750kg, trailer manufacturers generally brake trailers over 750kg so the chances are your 6m is over that boundary anyway. Phone up your old driving instructor and ask about doing a towing test.

Alex

randski · 12 January 2006, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Towing test isn't too much bother I don't think, proabably just towing a box trailer around a few cones

Alex

It is another driving test get a couple of lessons in, it will save you money in the long run.

Nos4r2 · 12 January 2006, 14:44

Be aware that if the trailer's PLATED weight (Maximum Authorised Mass) is over 750kg, whether or not the whole rig actually weighs under 750kg doesn't matter-you'll still need the B+E licence to drive it.

The reversing is the hardest part of the trailer test-it's identical to the artic test.

Hint:- IF you're asked to provide your own trailer, the reversing part of the test is easier with a flatbed or low trailer- preferably one where the wheels don't stick out the sides.

Andre · 12 January 2006, 15:38

this should answer your doubts
taken from www.dvla.gov.uk

1. CAR LICENCES HELD BEFORE 1 JANUARY 1997
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.

Drivers who hold subcategory C1+E - limited to 8.25 tonnes MAM, may apply for provisional entitlement to the new subcategory C1+E, in order to take and pass the test which will increase their combined vehicle and trailer entitlement to 12 tonnes MAM. It is not necessary to gain subcategory C1 entitlement first but drivers have to meet higher medical standards, and pass both the category C theory test and the subcategory C1+E practical test.

LARGE GOODS VEHICLE AND PASSENGER CARRYING VEHICLE LICENCES HELD BEFORE 1 JANUARY 1997

Since 1 January 1997 all drivers who hold category C or D entitlement have been limited to trailers up to 750kgs MAM; Category C+E or D+E must be held in order to tow trailers in excess of this.

2. CAR DRIVING LICENCE FIRST OBTAINED SINCE 1 JANUARY 1997
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E and all larger vehicles. In addition to the new driving tests, drivers of vehicles which fall within subcategories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E also have to meet higher medical standards.

randski · 12 January 2006, 17:16

Not sure if this will work but it will show you the reversing exercise

randski · 12 January 2006, 17:22

The distances

A to A1 = 1.5 times the width of the vehicle
A to B = twice the length of the vehicle
B to Z = 3 times the length of the vehicle

Hope this helps