Towing weight Cobra 7.55 and Verado 250 - Page 2

Downhilldai · 30 October 2008, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I vaguely remembering hearing about this before for vans but didn't believe it.

"Whilst a car may travel at up to 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways vans are only allowed to travel up to 50 mph on single carriageway roads and 60 mph on dual carriageway roads."

Does anyopne know if anyone has been booked for this stupid rule? What about speed cameras - do they flash at a different speed for vans and cars? I doubt it somehow.

I have NEVER heard of a van stopped for speeding - nor driven one - that has been because of this law.

'Car-derived' vans are subject to the same speed limits as cars. Other vans have the reduced speed limits which you posted.

Jono · 30 October 2008, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

It doesn't actually say that in the link provided does it?

Yes it feckin' does...too difficult to understand?

"It is very important for drivers to bear in mind that vans (and all goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes) are subject to lower national speed limits than cars on both single and dual carriageway roads."

Jono · 30 October 2008, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

'Car-derived' vans are subject to the same speed limits as cars. Other vans have the reduced speed limits which you posted.

Only those with a MAM of under 2,000KG.. Ie the small stuff.

Jono · 30 October 2008, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

as i said in an earlier post you can only tow weight for weight with a braked trailer unless the towing vehicle is classified as a duel purporse one such as a landrover ,and not all 4x4 come intro this .

Where does it say that?

What it says is.. “For M1 category vehicles (motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat) the maximum permissible trailer weight is quoted by the vehicle manufacturer.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

. and from what i remember trailers over 2 .5 tons have to have a pin coupling and not a ball one .

Cobblers.

codprawn · 30 October 2008, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Yes it feckin' does...too difficult to understand?

"It is very important for drivers to bear in mind that vans (and all goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes) are subject to lower national speed limits than cars on both single and dual carriageway roads."

It doesn't mention motorways at all..............

Technically a motorway IS a dual carriageway in many repects.

Jim Robinson · 30 October 2008, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Where is that documented or defined?
Recommended by whom? This cannot apply to all vehicles.... think about it!

Sorry should have said this applies to vehicles below 3500kg.
info came from the ford web site Ford - Ranger specifications-PDF down load page 16, and among other sites.
http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/preparing/preparing.htm
The Land rover site indicates the 90 - 110 can tow 3500kg because its all up max load is 3500kg? interesting picture next to this info, 90 with a trailer/ aggregate bag and digger, the landy doesn't seem to be carrying over a tonne or so! to make it legal, I guess that is advertising for you. Not sure how it applies to other vehicles? our tractor for instance is a Ford 4000 weighs 1950 kg we carry far in excess of that on local deliveries? happy for you to prove me wrong as it will save me carrying 500 kg of sand round the country!!

Jono · 30 October 2008, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

It doesn't mention motorways at all..............

Exactly, ....the difference is on single/dual track only

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Technically a motorway IS a dual carriageway in many repects.

Of course it is, Sonny.. so why don't you do us all a favour and peddle your tricycle down the M4...

Jono · 30 October 2008, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

Sorry should have said this applies to vehicles below 3500kg.

... My Defender is MAM 3050 and legal to tow 3500/4000 with GTW of 6550..off the top of my head..

Jim Robinson · 30 October 2008, 19:02

all said an done not sure if i would like to tow 4000kg with a swb 90? stopping would be quite a challenge!

Jono · 30 October 2008, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

all said an done not sure if i would like to tow 4000kg with a swb 90? stopping would be quite a challenge!

Why? Brakes are on the trailer too...I regularly tow 3,500 with my 110 the probelm ain't with stopping..believe me it's..those long, long hills we have around these parts...

Jim Robinson · 30 October 2008, 19:15

Ahh yes agreed, went to Felixstowe docks with a shearwater a few weeks back, love the A12 flat! unfortunately they had operation stack due to high winds, stayed with friends overnight, also love all the boys toys used to load the containers they make 3500kg look daft! ( sorry don't get of the I.O.W enough!)

Jono · 30 October 2008, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

..., also love all the boys toys used to load the containers

..also ideal for launching ribs with...ask Mr Garton..

Poly · 31 October 2008, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

It doesn't mention motorways at all..............

Technically a motorway IS a dual carriageway in many repects.

codders - you might want to go and take a theory test

before you do probably best to do some revision with the highway code (rule 124 in particular).

codprawn · 31 October 2008, 01:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

codders - you might want to go and take a theory test

before you do probably best to do some revision with the highway code (rule 124 in particular).

Ahh now that DOES specifically mention motorways!!!

Bigmuz7 · 31 October 2008, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

... My Defender is MAM 3050 and legal to tow 3500/4000 with GTW of 6550..off the top of my head..

What type of close coupled brake system does your defender use to allow you take over 3500 KGs Jono ?

mike-m · 31 December 2008, 00:54

My Touareg is good for up to 3500Kg, and I am happy that the links Jono provided prove that you can tow that weight....

But:

What about the width? I quote:
"If the towing vehicle has a permissible gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes the maximum width and length of the trailer are 2.55 metres and 12 metres respectively. If however the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively. In both cases the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle."

Does this 2.3 metre limit refer just to the boat trailer? What if your RIB is 2.6m or even 2.9m wide (as mine is)? Have been told you are allowed up to 30cm overhang either side, but have been unable to confirm this.

Anyone know different?

If you do, then I'm in the.... er, doo doo!

Regards

Mike

PeterM · 31 December 2008, 09:41

I used to tow glider trailers which are nearly always at least 8m long (some more, though generally very narrow) , with a std car ( they are pretty light for thier size) so does this mean they are all illegal as the vehciles are under 3500kg ?

I understood that as the boat becomes the trailer when its secured , yes the 2.3m limit is the boat (? )

One thought - my car ( hyundai Santa fe 07 - OK abuse me ! ) is 1.9m wide - so looking at most caravans which are bloody wide ( ie more then 2.3m) does this mean all the caravans out there towed by std cars are illegal unless towed by something heavier then 3.5t ?

The whole thing is so bloody confusing its no wonder no-one can fully understand (even us educated , smart , intelligent , law abiding boaters ! )

I now go for the theory that if it looks like its well strapped down , nothing is flapping , the tow vehicle & trailer looks maintained , your are driving sensibly etc 'most' coppers will leave you alone . There is however always one awkward one out there !

mike-m · 31 December 2008, 17:23

Ooops.... never even looked at the length. 7 metres is nowhere near long enough - the boat alone is 7.5 metres! It really is a crock of crap - the law has been overtaken by reality. More worried about insurance to be honest, than some overzealous cop.

Normally don't have to go too far with the boat on the back, but will be towing it from London to Northern Ireland next March. Any advice?

Mike

codprawn · 31 December 2008, 17:45

You can tow trailers a lot longer than that. It is all down to an "indivisable load" - well unless your boat is cut in half I would say it is pretty indivisible to me!!!

Max length of an indivisible load on a trailer is 25.9m overall.

A normal trailer is limited to 7m but that excludes the drawbar. Some trailers have a draw bar over 10' or 3m long!!!

As far as width goes you can have overhangs. Max is 305mm each side so overall width is 3.9m - you can have wider but you have to notify the Police 2 days before you travel..................

codprawn · 31 December 2008, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-m

Ooops.... never even looked at the length. 7 metres is nowhere near long enough - the boat alone is 7.5 metres! It really is a crock of crap - the law has been overtaken by reality. More worried about insurance to be honest, than some overzealous cop.

Normally don't have to go too far with the boat on the back, but will be towing it from London to Northern Ireland next March. Any advice?

Mike

Stop worrying!!!

I towed my boat on a CLH trailer and it's perfectly legal - the Police boats are the same size on the same trailers!!!

My overall legth was about the same as an artic.........