Oversize Boats and Trailers
Submitted by GT POPPER on Sat, 2011-06-18 10:40
Ive had a few questions fired at me regarding my trophy 2103cc, it seems that a few guys are put off the idea of buying one of these due to the beam being slightly oversize (50mm ish) and this raises issues re towing legalities etc etc, I understand that its not the boat that determines the width restrictions (oversize)...its actually the trailer..
Is this correct?...
mejutty
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 21/12/09
It's the widest part of
It's the widest part of whatever you are towing if that happens to be the trailer then it's the trailer if it's the boat that is wider than the trailer then it's the boat.
Pob
Posts: 355
Date Joined: 13/10/10
Dont think so, i am sure that
Dont think so, i am sure that it is any thing on the trailer that goes over width makes it over size, had a problem registering a truck a few years ago due to the hinges on the gates making it over width!
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
It's width of the towed load.
It's width of the towed load.
GT POPPER
Posts: 32
Date Joined: 14/01/11
I agree Pob....most US boats
I agree Pob....most US boats are around the 8'6" beam but the trailers are just shy making them legal towing specs for Aus
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Pretty much.If your trailer
Pretty much what Alfred says.
If your trailer is over width, then you're always overwidth.
If your boat is overwidth, but your trailer isn't then, as long as you're towing your trailer without the boat on it, you're not overwidth ;)
mejutty
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 21/12/09
Given that 8'6" is about
what he says
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
THe trailers are normally
THe trailers are normally made to 2.5m which is the widest as if they are bigger they are very hard to register and then if the boat over hangs the trailer you would be overwidth much the same as our boat which is about 40cms to wide.
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Rick
Posts: 1119
Date Joined: 22/12/06
2.5m
2.5m is the maximum legal width on our roads.
Anything over this size is classed as oversize. Does not matter if it is traler or boat or both.
Oversize requires a yearly permit, oversize banner front and rear, flashing light etc
Restrictions include night time travel and cannot travel on freeways
PGFC Member
dan1
Posts: 379
Date Joined: 11/07/07
permit not that bad daylight
permit not that bad daylight hours towing $50 for 3 years
joe m
Posts: 278
Date Joined: 21/03/11
Good problem to have when
Good problem to have when talking fishing boats ;)
Joe M
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Yep what rick and everyone
Yep what rick and everyone has said. I spoke to quiet a few people about this and still are and it's the size of the total load so a 8'6 beam of a boat is a overwidth load. Unfortunalty as i want oversize boat :-) and i dunno if it is worth the hassle.
Dealers have the answer for this "Simple don't display your flags when you are towing at night or on the freeway" Great until you crash and insurance won't payout i suppose. But most people say insurance will still payout unless the accident was caused due to the load being oversized!
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Risky
That last comment saying the insurers will still pay out...I would not want to risk it.
Just for a second forget about the insurance payout for damages. How would you and your family feel if you killed or injured someone and your public indemnity was stuffed. You could be up for millions. This would set you back an eternity.
Ever looked at the injury component of your boat insurance. Normally around 10million of coverage. If you had to find that sort of money because your insurer said "your boat and trailer were overwidth" I can bet you would wish you had not towed that boat home after the sun had gone down, or done something else that overwidth loads arent supposed to do.
Not trying to be a downer or anything but this is the reason I got rid of my Seaswirl and went back to Aussie boats. One massive hassle I dont have to worry about.
Just something to think about.
Brad
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Spot on.Insurance companies
Spot on.
Insurance companies are a commercial entity
When there is a deliberate act of neglect and contravenance of the policy stipulations & or road traffic act etc. then you are finding yourself without cover.
Even a bald tyres makes a motorvehicle unroadworthy so does a front windscreen crack.
Another thing to consider is the non complyance of the american tow hitch.
This is an illegal tow hitch and as such cannot be licensed and used on ouur public roads.
I do know that some have slipped through the licensing inspections but when it turns pearshape this is another point to consider.
Something to keep in mind.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Tow hitch - no longer true.
Tow hitch - no longer true. All the new American tow hitches can now be adjusted to fit a 50mm ball. Hitches that can do this will have it stamped on the hitch and will pass the pits inspection.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
They have to be ADR aproved
They have to be ADR aproved to be legaly used on Australain public roads.
Plus trailer need to meet all other license rules.