Towing and the law
Exactly how heavy a boat you can tow will depend on your driving licence and the size of your towing vehicle. The rules changed in 1997, so you may need to take an extra test if you got your licence after that time. The rules state: ■ If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass* (MAM).
■ If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: ■ Drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM, towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
■ Tow a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg ■ If you want to tow anything heavier than your standard driving licence allows, you’ll need to take the car and trailer driving test. To find out exactly what you are permitted to do on your licence, go to www.gov.uk/viewdriving-licence.
■ Maximum authorised mass (MAM) means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.
In practice, this means that you may need to tot up what the boat, trailer and contents weigh in total. In practice, it’s likely that a boat and trailer comes to more than 750kg, so you’ll need to add the kerb weight of your vehicle to check it comes under the correct MAM. Also, as the trailer load will be more than 750kg, it’ll need to be a braked trailer.
Trailer dimensions
If you’re towing with a car up to 3500kg, the trailer (minus the coupling and draw bar) must be under 7m, and narrower than 2.55m. For larger towing vehicles, the trailer can be up to 12m, as long as the car and trailer together are not over 18m long.
Type of vehicle
For pulling a boat up a wet slipway, a four-wheel drive vehicle is undoubtedly the most capable choice, and the heavier and more powerful vehicle it is, the more easily it will handle the task.
A 4x4 is by no means essential, however, as long as you’re confident your car is up to the job. The National Trailer & Towing Association (NTTA) also recommend checking the car’s engine and brakes are competent. Their suggested rule of thumb is that the trailer should never weigh more than 85% of the towing vehicle’s weight.
speed limits
The 30mph limit applies on all roads with street lighting, unless road signage says otherwise.
A limit of 50mph applies on single carriageways unless signs show otherwise, and there’s a 60mph limit on motorways and dual carriageways.
Trailer servicing
Don’t forget to get your trailer serviced. While this isn’t compulsory, you are required to have your trailer in good working order at all times, so the NTTA recommend an annual service, just as you would with your car. Don’t forget to make sure the registration number on your lighting board matches your car!