Ribcraft 4.8 Weight - Unbraked Trailer?

Chatts · 28 May 2009, 10:41

Hi - Does anyone have a Ribcraft 4.8 or something similar?

I am interested in the actual 'real world' weight of the boat once loaded up with gear including 50l fuel, anchor, battery etc to make sure it would be within the 535kg weight limit for an unbraked trailer. In theory it should be but wondered how much of a margin there is to play with?

Car is 1400kg which I think legally has to be twice the weight of boat and trailer.

Cheers.

m chappelow · 28 May 2009, 11:49

why not take the whole lot to your nearest public weigh bridge ,that way for a couple of £quid you will know for definate and get a recipt /certificate to prove it ,the weight of the trailer should be half that of the car if no brakes fitted ,so about 700 kgs for your trailer boat and equipment if you say your car weighs 1400kgs .

Chatts · 28 May 2009, 12:06

I would do but unfortunately don't have the boat yet.

The issue is I am potentially buying an unbraked trailer on the assumption it will be less than 700kg in total so was wondering if anyone else had weighed their boat as these thing always seem to add up to more than expected...

Blizzard · 28 May 2009, 17:55

Im sure it will be under 700kg's. I know of 3 of them that are on unbraked trailers. But I dont know the exact weight. More like 600 - 650 would be my estimate.

Searider · 28 May 2009, 20:35

My 5.4m searider on its trailer, 90hp Mariner 2 stroke, 2 man console, battery and 100 litres of fuel was about 740kg when I weighed it.

Not a 4.8m Ribcraft but a guide.

750kg gross weight is the limit for unbraked trailer - subject to this being ok for your car.

davej · 28 May 2009, 20:43

I have a Tornado 5m with a 60hp 2S on an unbraked Snipe trailer, which is what it came with from Barnet marine when I bought it from new in 98.

I estimate it's around 600kgs loaded with fuel and bits and pieces although I have yet to take it on a weighbridge.

I would be happy to think a ribcraft 4,8 was well within the unbraked limit.

Davj

Chatts · 29 May 2009, 05:40

Thanks. It should hopefully be well under 700kg including trailer but has a ski frame and stainless tank so dont know what they weigh. Engine is 145kg.

GuyP · 29 May 2009, 07:23

The hull is 325 kilos alone (dry):

http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/ribcraft-p...pecifications/

With the engine that takes you up to 470 kilos, so I'd say you'll be under 700.

al40 · 29 May 2009, 22:11

I'd give the guys at Ribcraft a quick call - depends on any extras fitted. I was quite surprised on the additional weight of the A-Frame, jockeys etc. Ribcraft were able to give an estimated weight.

I've seen a few 4.8's on unbraked trailers but I also guess it depends how much fuel / gear you have in there.

Good boats!

fred bolton · 31 May 2009, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

750kg gross weight is the limit for unbraked trailer - subject to this being ok for your car.

Agreed and often overlooked The manufacturers limits are the key check your handbook my laguna estate has an unbraked towing limit of 650kg

Pete7 · 31 May 2009, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

The hull is 325 kilos alone (dry):

http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/ribcraft-p...pecifications/

With the engine that takes you up to 470 kilos, so I'd say you'll be under 700.

Good link, but I recon they weigh 210 kgs

Pete

Andy_Rs600 · 01 June 2009, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred bolton

Agreed and often overlooked The manufacturers limits are the key check your handbook my laguna estate has an unbraked towing limit of 650kg

If you have C+E on your licence (i.e. did your test before 1997) the manufacturers limit is only a guide, you can tow up to the 750kg limit, although if you have an accident and the police consider the combination to have been unsafe they could use the fact that you were over the guide weight as evidence.

We have a 4.8 with a 60hp mariner, twin in-line pod seat, large fixed towing post and all kit and it's under 750, but i don't know by how much.

GuyP · 01 June 2009, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Good link, but I recon they weigh 210 kgs

Pete

Yep - sorry, my mistake. 355 kilos for hull and engine then, so assuming your trailer is 150 kilos, you've 195 kilos of fuel tank, fuel, battery and a-frame to play with before you get to a total of 700 kilos.

I'd assume you'll be fine.

doggypaddle · 01 June 2009, 12:17

I stand ready to be corrected, but as i understand the law relating to trailers, it doesnt matter how heavy the boat is on an unbraked trailer,(obviously as long as its under 750KGS)Its the weight of the trailer plate that counts. IE if the boat and trailer weigh for example 500Kgs and your car has an unbraked towing limit of 700kgs, then weight wise its within the law, however the trailer is plated as 750kgs trailer weight then as far as the law is concerned your 50kgs overweight.
came across this towing 16 foot ifor williams chassis(empty) with a pug 504. trailer weighed sod all but was plated 3500kgs 3500kgs was over the limit for the car so the combination was illegal.
all you may need to do to be legal is get the trailer re plated for the weight the car can tow rather than 750kgs.

Andy_Rs600 · 02 June 2009, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

Its the weight of the trailer plate that counts.

Quite true, all the weights are plate weights, not actual weights, but it is an offence for the actual weight to exceed the plate weight by any margin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

3500kgs was over the limit for the car so the combination was illegal.

Not quite true. Not recommended, but not in itself illegal. VOSA (trying to find the link) say something like 'there is no legal requirements on the ratio of trailer to tractor vehicle weights'. As long as you have C+E on your license, nor is the manufacturer's handbook law.

doggypaddle · 02 June 2009, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

Quite true, all the weights are plate weights, not actual weights, but it is an offence for the actual weight to exceed the plate weight by any margin.

Not quite true. Not recommended, but not in itself illegal. VOSA (trying to find the link) say something like 'there is no legal requirements on the ratio of trailer to tractor vehicle weights'. As long as you have C+E on your license, nor is the manufacturer's handbook law.

Seems you may not get done for exceeding the towing recomendations of the manufacturer, however if it "constitutes a danger" then you get done for dangerous driving, 6of one half a dozen really!

the truth of it is that most police dont know the law themselves, and if everything looks reasonable and is a sensible looking combination then your'e unlikley to have any problems.
so dont go towing a pac 22 behind a subaru!!

QUOTE D.O.T.
"the maximum permissible trailer weight is quoted by the vehicle manufacturer. If this is exceeded it is possible that the Courts or Insurance Companies take the view that this constitutes a danger."