Modifying trailer. Is it legal?

[Mccolganm4]

I have just bought a 4m Narwhal rib, it came on a very old looking, possibly home made, trailer. I would like to extend the draw bar a bit and extend it towards the stern of the boat to provide another roller/support further back and also rear tie down points, it is currently strapped over the tubes. I'm just not sure where this lands on legality. Don't really want to be spending another load of cash on a trailer just yet.
Thanks

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Mccolganm4

I have just bought a 4m Narwhal rib, it came on a very old looking, possibly home made, trailer. I would like to extend the draw bar a bit and extend it towards the stern of the boat to provide another roller/support further back and also rear tie down points, it is currently strapped over the tubes. I'm just not sure where this lands on legality. Don't really want to be spending another load of cash on a trailer just yet.
Thanks

All manufactured trailers will have a certificate plate on them, usually on the drawbar, serial number, date of manufacture, total weight, class, etc.

The trouble with home-made trailers, is it may have been a launching trailer or yard trailer in a previous life and never meant for the open road, then you get into where you stand if you are stopped by the police, and of course your own insurance, etc. We're all bound by the same legislation and of course boats being trailered do tend to stick out for all the wrong reasons, so if you do get a tug by the police, and the obligatory walk-around with them, is it legal, not overloaded, and or course safe?

Personally speaking , the trailer is key to having a decent day on the water. Bearings not overheating, lightboard illuminated, boat supported and towing well. Give me a decent, well-made production line certified trailer any day.

Came across this via a link based on another forum.
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...pproval-iva-it

[Mccolganm4]

Thanks for the reply. I totally understand the trailer being a very important part of the set up but never thought that it may not even have been made for the road!! Looks like I'm on the look out for a second hand, branded trailer.

How do I decide what I need. Ive noticed that roller or bunked is very much a personal preference but what size do I need? Is it a case of measuring the footprint, as such, of the boat and finding something that size with enough adjustment on rollers/bunks to make it work?

[spartacus]

For a rib, you're looking for a roller set-up. Some have the swinging arm beam near the back so you can launch in shallower depth rather than totally submerging the trailer. You can of course adjust the location of the winch post, and ideally you're looking for the last roller to sit on the heel of the transom. New or second hand - then you will need some adjustment to get it to sit right.

Think about where you're storing it too. If the boat is in a domestic garage - then you don't want the drawbar to be too long.

For a 4m RIB, you're in 750kg un-braked territory, which is a good thing, as you have potentially less maintenance with brake shoes, etc.

Most of the main brands, Indespension, Mersea, SBS, Bramber, De Graff. You get what you pay for in terms of the quality of galvanising, spare parts off the shelf, etc.

[Mccolganm4]

Originally Posted by spartacus

For a rib, you're looking for a roller set-up. Some have the swinging arm beam near the back so you can launch in shallower depth rather than totally submerging the trailer. You can of course adjust the location of the winch post, and ideally you're looking for the last roller to sit on the heel of the transom. New or second hand - then you will need some adjustment to get it to sit right.

Think about where you're storing it too. If the boat is in a domestic garage - then you don't want the drawbar to be too long.

For a 4m RIB, you're in 750kg un-braked territory, which is a good thing, as you have potentially less maintenance with brake shoes, etc.

Most of the main brands, Indespension, Mersea, SBS, Bramber, De Graff. You get what you pay for in terms of the quality of galvanising, spare parts off the shelf, etc.

Wanted add it is then. Thanks for the information

[beamishken]

Pre 92 trailers didnt required certification & could legally be home made, such a trailer can be like triggers broom & completely rebuilt & still be legal in short if you state the trailer is pre 92 there is no restrictions on who or what modifications are done

[Fenlander]

>> the trailer is key to having a decent day on the water. Bearings not overheating, lightboard illuminated, boat supported and towing well. Give me a decent, well-made production line certified trailer any day.

Fully agree. We once bought a 4m hard hull on a tired trailer which I thought would be fine with a couple of quick jobs. Once home it took new hitch, suspension units, hubs, wheels, tyres, mudguards, rollers, winch and light board before I could happily tow to Scotland with it for our looming holiday.

Should have just bought a shiny new one.

[Mccolganm4]

Yeah, I don't want to end up in that situation, replacing all the components and still having what is really an old home made trailer. I'm looking but I'm going to have a hard time getting another 1500 quid past the Mrs

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Pre 92 trailers didnt required certification & could legally be home made, such a trailer can be like triggers broom & completely rebuilt & still be legal in short if you state the trailer is pre 92 there is no restrictions on who or what modifications are done

This is good advice if you are mechanically capable ,as has been said trailering your boat to the launch destination stress free and safe is much more important than many give regard too.
I am not sure you cant get away with an uncertified trailer till pre 2012 ? ,however painting max gross weight 750kg on an unbraked trailer ticks another box
You can build your own trailer even now and take it having pre filled forms to a dvla trailer test cenre ,(this will leave you amongst lorry trailers and other specialist built vehicles )
Main emphasis are on a certified axle ,and certified hitch ,believe it or not nothing to do with the boat or the way its supported ,lot of faff regarding lights and their visibility from all angles however bear in mind you must not have the boat on the trailer when you go!

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Mccolganm4

Yeah, I don't want to end up in that situation, replacing all the components and still having what is really an old home made trailer. I'm looking but I'm going to have a hard time getting another 1500 quid past the Mrs

What I'm saying is if you modify a pre 92 trailer there is nothing anyone can do about it. As long as you state its pre 92 you can alter to suit yourself

[Mccolganm4]

Right ok. Well it is definitely pre 92. I think I'll get the boat off it and give it a good once over see what it's needing and what's involved in adding a roller and tie down points further back.

[Steve509926]

Different type of trailer as mine is for a sib, but I would think the same rules apply. I adapted a road base sailing dinghy trailer (2008) by fitting bunks which over hung the original trailer by 250mm to support the transom, a winch post and bow snubber. I also extended the draw bar by 150mm replacing the original rusty draw bar.
I then called my local commercial testing station to ask them if I needed to have it re-certified. The answer was no, the bunks and snubber are classed as load carrying equipment or restraints and not part of the certification, and I had replaced a worn/rusty part with box section of the same or greater gauge.
Hope that helps.

[Mccolganm4]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Different type of trailer as mine is for a sib, but I would think the same rules apply. I adapted a road base sailing dinghy trailer (2008) by fitting bunks which over hung the original trailer by 250mm to support the transom, a winch post and bow snubber. I also extended the draw bar by 150mm replacing the original rusty draw bar.
I then called my local commercial testing station to ask them if I needed to have it re-certified. The answer was no, the bunks and snubber are classed as load carrying equipment or restraints and not part of the certification, and I had replaced a worn/rusty part with box section of the same or greater gauge.
Hope that helps.

That helps a lot. Doesn't sound much different to what I am needing to do to mine so should be all good.

Can I ask how you extended the drawbar? Was it bolt on?

[Steve509926]

Yes it is bolted on, however everything on my trailer is bolted together that's the way it was originally designed.

[Mccolganm4]

Yeah, you would never know that had been altered, unfortunately mine is all welded so would need a piece added in

[smallribber]

Look at extreme trailers. Shiny new ones are in my view quite inexpensive

[smallribber]

There you go worry free towing for a few years for £1,375

https://www.extreme-trailers.co.uk/r.../ext500-roller

[Mccolganm4]

Think I should be ok now

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Mccolganm4

Think I should be ok now

[Limecc]

I skim read some of the posts and see there's confusion over what's required by the Road Traffic Act and what's required by Type Approval laws. Type approval only applies to trailers sold new and after that can be disregarded when the trailer is secondhand.
A weight or MTPLM plate is only a legal requirement on commercial trailers so not required on any caravan or boat trailer. Indeed caravans have two plates, one on the axle and one on the body. If you have neither you are breaking no law and cannot be prosecuted like if you had no number plate (incidentally not endorsable). Tyres have a load rating and if the axle is weighed should not be exceeded, also the Gross Train Weight.
If a trailer is modified there's no requirement to get it re-approved for type approval. You could build your own from scratch, many do, box trailers etc. Here's mine I modified to carry some 3.3m patio doors and glass. Also fitted hinges to make a tailgate.