Converting a big trailer

[Jono]

Here's a good linky thingy...http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/inf30.pdf

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Jono

Go no... explain how that works, with the standard trailer braking system Ie those operated by the coupling "shortening"....

Oh thats easy, bit of friction through rust in the brake components causes them to remain on after the towing vehicles brakes have been released, until you give it lots of welly again. Its a intentional design feature created by using mild steel for brakes on trailers.



Pete

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Oh thats easy, bit of friction through rust in the brake components causes them to remain on after the towing vehicles brakes have been released, until you give it lots of welly again. Its a intentional design feature created by using mild steel for brakes on trailers.



Pete

...................

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Richard B

In fairness, that trailer and boat combo did weigh in at over 4 tonnes if I remember correctly. I remember seeing him leave the yard with the rear suspension bottoming out, and the tow hitch slowly distorting out of shape.

hmm well that in itself sounds like an accident waiting to happen does it not?

I am well aware that my trailer puts too much downforce on the tow hitch (hitch is too high and I can't fit a lower one as it compromises clearance off road) but as I only do 25mph to the launch site it doesn't bother me. I wouldn't dream of towing it at 70mph especially if it weighed twice as much!

[bedajim]

Had look at this site for my trailer sizes, the more sites you look at the more of a nightmare it seems to become, trailer/rib width looks like it could be a problem.

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Wasn't Cookee selling his truck with 6 tonne hiab. Sorry Richard but a Disco isn't going to do it. The Royal Marines use 4 tonne Bedfords to tow there Artic 28s which it does quite well, if a little slowly.

Pete

My lorry is for sale - a Volvo FL10 - full air suspension, a flat bed suitable for a cradle and a good hiab crane to launch it with - if you want to discuss it PM me and we'll chat - it will need a "C" licence though!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Had look at this site for my trailer sizes, the more sites you look at the more of a nightmare it seems to become, trailer/rib width looks like it could be a problem.

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm

Tell me about it - we have discussed this many times before but there is also the "indivisible load" clause - they use it for gliders that can have trailers up to 20m or 65' long!!! The way I see it a boat is also an "indivisible load" - uless you get out the chainsaw.....

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

So after 1.1.97 you need a class 2 licence then, to drive a 7.5 tonner with more than 750 kgs trailed, I wasnt far off ? Or a 7.5 tonner full stop?

You need a:-
Class C1 (7.5 tonne) licence to drive a 7.5 tonner
Class C1E to drive a 7.5 tonner with trailer with Max Authorised Mass up to 12000kg (though there's a licence restriction in place for non HGV licence holders restricting total weight of the whole combination to 8250kg)
Class C is rigid HGV with up to 750kg trailer
Class C+E is the old class 1 or artic HGV licence

If you want to drive the classes of vehicle above, look at your licence. If it's there then you can drive it. If it's not then take a test for that type of vehicle.

If you use a 7.5 tonner as a tow vehicle the weight of the whole rig can't exceed 8250kg-ie empty 7.5 tonner@4 tonnes(ish) means it can tow 4250kg.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Cookee

My lorry is for sale - a Volvo FL10 - full air suspension, a flat bed suitable for a cradle and a good hiab crane to launch it with - if you want to discuss it PM me and we'll chat - it will need a "C" licence though!

If you need a delivery driver for it drop me a line-as long as I don't have to drive it along Fore Street. I got a 17 tonne Renault up there once. Never again!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Yes this is my point, 3500 kgs is not far off 4 tonnes.

Pete, you seem to have a bit of selective memory here! My recollection is that < Edit: name deleted to protect the guilty! JK > knowingly attached a boat and trailer weighing well over 4 tonnes to a Disco, and despite the suspension bottoming out and the tow hitch showing signs of stress, started a journey form Southampton to Holyhead. He subsequently had two accidents on the road, the second one finishing the journey for him. You used that as an example of how a Disco would perform poorly when towling a load close to it's maximum! You also chose to contradict codprawn who tells us that when using his own Disco close to the maximum towing limit, he has done so in a safe manner without incident. Go figure!

Originally Posted by BogMonster

hmm well that in itself sounds like an accident waiting to happen does it not?

Stephen, we do appear to be arging the same point!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Pete, you seem to have a bit of selective memory here!

Richard nothing selective here. IMHO towing 4 tonnes or even close to it with a vehicle that weighs half that isn't sensible. That big air braked trailer Richard started this post with I think has 3 axles, as you have pointed out its going to weigh in close to 1000 kgs. If it was just for use in a boat yard or from the slip round to the chandlers and boat storage at Port Solenti then yes I would risk it with a 4x4 at 14 mph. But if its for use on the road then I would still buy the trailer, just pay someone with a big truck and some commerical insurance to move it for me.

As Carl pointed out we have seen Richard drive

Pete

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by Carl

anyway more to the point,has anyone been in a car when lazy buoy is driving, the locals refer to him as the bloke who used to drive for miss daisy cant think of anything worse than him in a truck/let alone towing hahahahahaah

Originally Posted by Pete7

As Carl pointed out we have seen Richard drive

Pete

Oi cheeky buggers, there's nothing wrong with my driving. Seem to remember Carl towing your boat very well.

[Carl]

oi lazy arnt you supposed to be out playing? or is to rough for you driving

[Carl]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Oi cheeky buggers, there's nothing wrong with my driving. Seem to remember Carl towing your boat very well.

i was shitting bricks at the time

[codprawn]

Many people seem to think the problem is the weight difference between the load and the tractor. That need not be the case. An artic tractor unit weighs considerably less than the load it pulls - as does a loco pulling a 2,000 ton train. The old saying is - the engine pulls the train but it's the train that stops the engine.

In other words it's all down to the trailer. A well setup trailer with the correct number of axles and good brakes etc is a joy to tow - you can have a much lighter trailer that is a bitch.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Many people seem to think the problem is the weight difference between the load and the tractor. That need not be the case. An artic tractor unit weighs considerably less than the load it pulls - as does a loco pulling a 2,000 ton train. The old saying is - the engine pulls the train but it's the train that stops the engine.

In other words it's all down to the trailer. A well setup trailer with the correct number of axles and good brakes etc is a joy to tow - you can have a much lighter trailer that is a bitch.

Where are the wheels on an "artic" trailer...Mmm.. let me think? How do train brakes work?... ...

We're talking about drawbar trailers with "overrun" type brakes.. your comparison is ludicrous.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jono

Where are the wheels on an "artic" trailer...Mmm.. let me think? How do train brakes work?... ...

We're talking about drawbar trailers with "overrun" type brakes.. your comparison is ludicrous.

Overun brakes can work perfectly well if in good order - otherwise surely they would be banned!!!

[Jono]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Overun brakes can work perfectly well if in good order - otherwise surely they would be banned!!!

Who's saying otherwise?

[Pete7]

So, back to the original question,are we recommending this trailer for shunting around the marina and doing the antifouling, winter storeage etc ?

I think so, afterall might have a value for renting out when the next 9m Parker arrives on our shores.

As for the towing vehicle wonder if Andy Stevens wants to invest in an old Bedford Mk. Not fast, but cheap to run and 4x4. Or he has a One Tonne truck.

Richard, Degraff wanted £400 for 1500 kg axles last time I spoke to him, 1800 kgs are also available.


Pete

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You need a:-
Class C1 (7.5 tonne) licence to drive a 7.5 tonner
Class C1E to drive a 7.5 tonner with trailer with Max Authorised Mass up to 12000kg (though there's a licence restriction in place for non HGV licence holders restricting total weight of the whole combination to 8250kg)
Class C is rigid HGV with up to 750kg trailer
Class C+E is the old class 1 or artic HGV licence

If you want to drive the classes of vehicle above, look at your licence. If it's there then you can drive it. If it's not then take a test for that type of vehicle.

If you use a 7.5 tonner as a tow vehicle the weight of the whole rig can't exceed 8250kg-ie empty 7.5 tonner@4 tonnes(ish) means it can tow 4250kg.

Ta.. Nos

I appreciate that .. must get meself into metric one of these days