[Public-list] Yep, Trailering, gets complicated

Mon Feb 7 10:38:13 PST 2005

Towing is one of those areas with many rules and many different rules, as 
well as different enforcement levels. As those folks stopped at the 
Ontario/Manitoba border found out a few years ago. (almost everyone towing 
a boat or trailer had at least one problem) That seemed to be the start of 
much stricter enforcement in Manitoba but I think the increased popularity 
of RVs and trailers combined with the reduced towing ability of many 
pick-ups trucks (and SUVs)  in the 90's was the real cause for concern.

10" over width is indeed over width and can/will result in fines and being 
stuck on the side of the road or at an inspection station for some time. 
With a beam of over 8 feet no Alberg can easily avoid the oversize permit. 
They are easy to get so shouldn't deter people from towing.

License requirements vary a little but keeping under the 10,000lb weight 
for the trailer means that most (all?) areas will only require a basic 
license. In Ontario that would be a Class G, or Class 5 in other provinces. 
The towing limit for a Class G in Ontario is 4,600kgs or just over 10,000lbs.

That's one of the disadvantages of using a flat deck, because there is so 
much more trailer than a custom built sailboat trailer they will likely be 
over that 10,000lb amount (even if you completely empty the boat) and will 
require more than a basic license. (thats what I meant)

Adding the weight of the trailer and load to the vehicles Gross weight 
should not (maybe it would in some areas) apply to towing an Alberg because 
it will always be over the limit for trailers without brakes. The tow 
vehicle, if newer, should have a tow rating on the same tag as the GVWR. 
That tow rating is one of the limiting factors. Tongue weight is added to 
payload so that might be another limiting factor if the truck isn't empty.

Brakes are yet another area of complication. Some areas do not require all 
axles to have brakes, so a three axle trailer could have one axle without 
brakes. That makes the purchase a little cheaper and less brake hassles. 
Other areas (most?) require all axles on the trailer to have brakes.

Even the type of braking allowed is different. Some areas have outlawed or 
restrictions on the use of Surge Braking systems and there have been 
attempts to have them outlawed everywhere. If a person has any concern 
about that they are best to go with electric brakes but there are other 
options there too. In BC there is a limit to the size of trailer with surge 
brakes and the Alberg will be over that limit. Personally I don't like 
surge brakes but I think I would prefer them if I launched my sailboat from 
the trailer.

As mentioned tow vehicles are yet another area of complication. Each 
vehicle is different, an example would be a new Ford F150. Towing capacity 
ranges from 9,900lbs all the way down to less than 5,000lbs. Some could do 
it, others couldn't, yet they all look pretty much the same. Many pick-ups 
have tow ratings less than 5,000lbs. So do most cars. My model 1994 car has 
a tow rating of 5,000lbs but the later model of the same car is rated for 
less than 1,500lbs. Quite the range for the same vehicle.

Then of course there is the hitch. Even having a truck with a high enough 
tow rating doesn't mean it is set up for it. Many seem to come with a Class 
III hitch but a Class IV is the minimum required for the Alberg. The 
goosenecks really are the best because they have the highest ratings and 
make towing much easier.

And then there are tires. Talking to one of the road side inspectors (the 
most feared) I found out that many people think they have everything 
covered but will be overloading the tires. I gather this was more likely 
with the SUVs and Pick-ups because people often do not consider weight 
rating when buying replacements.

Then there are the issues of lighting, signage, overhangs, stability, load 
securement, insurance, road load restrictions, tire width....more than 
enough to convince the faint of heart to leave it to the experts.

But lots of owners have towed their Alberg with little problems. I think as 
a group Alberg owners seem keen on safety and as a result are not likely to 
be pushing the safety envelope. Unlike those MacGregor 26 owners! :)

(just kidding about the MacGregor owners, it just looks funny seeing a 
little 4cyl econo box towing such a large boat at highway speeds)

Haefen
#561

At 09:57 AM 2/7/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>Be sure to check things out with the department of transport for the states or
>provinces you are driuving in. As far as I know, there is no pick-up truck 
>that
>has a GVW (which includes the weight of the towed load) that will get to 
>10,000
>lbs + truck weight  on the door plate. The reason is simple, there is not
>enough weight for stopping ability without jack-knifing. The tow vehicle also
>requires an annual safety check and sticker for towing loads aver 5000 
>lbs.  At
>least in Ontario, you will need an A Class license to pull an Alberg 30,
>whatever the rig you use, since it is not classed as a recreational vehicle
>within the Highway Traffic Act. (We need an A license and saftey checked tow
>vehicle for pulling a 2 horse trailer in this province and that is just over
>5,000 lbs.). In the photo below, a wide load permit would be needed since 
>it is
>well beyond what any inspector or law enforcement officer would allow.  If you
>are prepared to travel in the fashion illustrated, also check with your
>insurance company to see if your insurance covers you for this sort of
>arrangement.
>
>Don # 528
>
>"J. Brown" wrote:
>
> >  Yet another disadvantage is getting a truck
> > with a 14,000lb tow rating.
> >
> > . No need for class 3 licence or trailer, and a much wider
> > choice of tow vehicles.  BTW you will be overwidth but only by a few
> > inches, even the meanest inspector is not likely to be concerned about that
> > if everything else is in order.
> >
> > http://www.jb0713.com/sail/trailer/6loaded.jpg
> >
> > jb
> > Haefen #561
> >
>
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