What size boat/trailor safely towable with 20' M/Home ?

[barnybg]

Hi all,haven't been here for a while,still living in Bulgaria with visits to the Greek coast.
OK ,the question above,thinking of buying a small cruiser to tow to the coast while holidaying,will probably purchase in UK (as much cheaper) tow 2000 miles and then use on 100 mile trips to coasts (several being Turkey,Greece and Bulgarian).
What size would you recomend (the biggest) would a 20' boat be safe to tow ?bigger or smaller ( i am experienced in towing)any recomendations for boats being sailing or cruiser ? an older,perhaps diy project,as funds up to £2000 to buy (beeen looking on Ebay) and was pleasantly surprised at what i could buy for that price.....
From a happy Taffy (Eldidis 400gt Autoquest 2 ltr petrol/lpg)
P.s using WIFI at mo,on the Greek coast near Kavala,hot,hot,hot

 

[donkey too]

I hope it rains there today .:lol-053::have fun:

 

[Firefox]

The rules are complicated:

Check out Towing a caravan or trailer - the safety regulations : Directgov - Motoring

It will also depend on the GTW (gross train weight) of your vehicle (listed on the weights plate on the vehicle) and when you passed your test (pre/post 1997) and if you have any additional trailer categories added.

Experience in towing unfortunately doesn't count, you need to have the right license and right towing vehicle to be legal. It will restrict weight more than anything which will govern the length/size of boat you can tow.

 

[barnybg]

Boat/trailer towing...

Looks like it's a max of 7 metres,as i'm 'qualified' reading data,under my bonnet it says 4500kg max ? and i think the M/h is coming in at 3100kg ? so 3 tonne ? so i can tow 1.4 tonne behind ? or two thirds of max weight,then being approx 2.5 tonne ? mmmm complicated for a small brain.
I towed 4 tonne behind a Transit on a 4 wheel trailor 2000 miles to Bulgaria....no probs except for wheels falling off........ which i retreaved and put on using 3 nuts on all....safety first as always but it got me to Bulgaria

 

[AuldTam]

Looks like it's a max of 7 metres,as i'm 'qualified' reading data,under my bonnet it says 4500kg max ? and i think the M/h is coming in at 3100kg ? so 3 tonne ? so i can tow 1.4 tonne behind ? or two thirds of max weight,then being approx 2.5 tonne ? mmmm complicated for a small brain.
I towed 4 tonne behind a Transit on a 4 wheel trailor 2000 miles to Bulgaria....no probs except for wheels falling off........ which i retreaved and put on using 3 nuts on all....safety first as always but it got me to Bulgaria

As your well experienced in towing its really just down to GTW and staying legal...if your not legal the cops will hammer you and insurance may well be viod if anything goes wrong. The days of judging your load yourself are long gone now.

I drove a wrecker many moons ago...the stories I can tell you

 

[chris p bacon]

the whole issue of what you can and cannot tow is complicated and recnetly changed, as I understand it this is the current position

Towing vehicle up to and including 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 metres
Width Maximum 2.3 metres

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 metres if at least 4 wheels
Width Maximum 2.55 metres

Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 metres
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 metres

Marking of rear overhang
Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar.
Between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board as defined in the Regulations must be fitted and illuminated at night.
If the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey.

If you need more confusion try here NTTA Guide to Safe & Legal Towing

 

[AuldTam]

the whole issue of what you can and cannot tow is complicated and recnetly changed, as I understand it this is the current position

Towing vehicle up to and including 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 7.0 metres
Width Maximum 2.3 metres

Towing vehicle over 3500kg GVW
Length (excluding the coupling and drawbar) 12 metres if at least 4 wheels
Width Maximum 2.55 metres

Length of towing vehicle and trailer combined 18 metres
Maximum overhang of load from rear of trailer 3.05 metres

Marking of rear overhang
Between 1m and 2m, ensure the end is clearly visible by attaching a piece of cloth or similar.
Between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board as defined in the Regulations must be fitted and illuminated at night.
If the overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey.

If you need more confusion try here NTTA Guide to Safe & Legal Towing

Just goes to show how things have changed...

I'm pretty sure there are even more restrictions on certain types of roads you can travel on when you start going into HGV's and trailers, and weight, aswell has more speed restrictions.