Maxiumum width of a RIB to tow...

[steve.armitage]

We are looking at buying a new RIB for our dive club. One of the requirements is a nice broad boat to allow maximum space to kit up. Whoever, looking at the following site: DOT Website it states the maximum towing width for a normal car is 2.3m. A lot of the RIB's we have been looking at are 2.5m! Is there a clause about the width being 'solid', so not including the tubes?

Thanks,
Steve

[Garygee]

Hi Steve & welcome to Rib Net

As far as I know what is on the DOT web site is correct, but look at the 3.5 ton limit thats wider ar 2.55M.

I dont belive it makes any difference if its tubes or steel but one option would to part deflate the tubes and pull them into the hull.

The other thing is the length at 7.00M this I belive is measured from the tow bar to the tip of the raised outboard.

One place that may be able to say 100% is http://www.indespension.co.uk
They used to do a great free book about what you can & cannot do towing, given them a call.

Saying all this I have seen many big RIBs towed, mine got delivered on a trailer at at 7.8M length & 2.7M beam was well over the limit. Even so I dont know of anyone being pulled up, maybe other know different.

Hope this helps

Regards Gary

[ribraff]

Hi Steve

we have touched on this subject. We build a 7.3mtr rib which is too beamy to tow with the tubes fully inflated, deflated, no problem.

[gingercoastie]

I had the same concerns after ordering my boat. But the way I read the rules was that they apply to the trailer, and the boat is the load which is allowed to overhang the trailer.

[GED]

never mind the towing will the AA man tow you home on a recovery......R.A.C ,AA , what length do they tow up to......Check your cover !!!!!!!

[mstacey]

Both RAC and AA only cover upto certain lengths BUT that length varies dependant on the scheme you join.

For example join the AA thru seastart and hey they will come move your long long trailer.

http://www.seastart.co.uk/seastart.html

[jools]

As mentioned here before the RAC scheme "ARRIVAL" in association with the caravan and Camping club covers any size trailer - I even think Awsome was recovered by them!!

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...hlight=arrival

and best bit is its cheaper than normal RAC cover!! - For the Seastart trailer rescue they want more money

[Jelly]

Hi Jools
I tried to get that but they wanted my C&C membership details.
Hence not being a memeber refused
Jelly

[steve.armitage]

Ok,

The difinative guide is:
1. The maxumum with of a trailer before you hit the 3500kg boundary is 2.3 meters. This does not include the load.
2. There is a maximum width (including load) of 2.9 meters where exceeding means you need to comply with wide load restructions, such as contacting the police (Regulation 82 of The Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986)
3. For the bigger RIB's, if your trailer or load is more than 40cm wider on any side than your towing vehicle, you also need to have forward facing lights!

WRT the AA, they will not tow a trailer wider than 2.3m. This would apply to the trailer and the boat!

Thanks to Thames Valley Police and Sue from Humber and the AA for the information.

Steve