Towing GVM

[goona]

Hi All,

I have just bought a 7.4 Noble Super Vee and after all the QLD Transport papers came back I noticed the GVM was 3700kg. After checking the compliance plate this is indeed the case. Now I tow it with a 4.2 Turbo Patrol which can legally tow 3500kg braked with over rides which I have had installed. I did ask the salesman what I could tow and he said it was fine behind the Patrol but I never checked the trailer. Dumb on my part. My question is can I legally tow it or do I need to get the trailer reassessed, weighed and a new compliance plate fitted if the boat comes in lighter than it states. The last thing I want to happen is have an accident and the whole thing is illegal. Does anyone know what they weigh on the trailer? Can I get the Patrol re engineered for the extra 200kg as I have heavy duty suspension and airbags and is it a case of getting upgraded brakes.

Thanks for your replies

Goona

[marty+jojo]

Hey Goona,
First of all congrats on the new boat mate, sounds awesome. You could take your boat to the local tip and put it over their weighbridge and see what it comes in at, other than that i have no idea about your situation, but i would love to see some pics of the new rig.
Marty.

[goona]

Hi Marty,

Couple of picks for you. Awsome snapper to you have.

Goona

[marty+jojo]

Very nice Goona, hopefully this wind,swell and rain will piss off soon and you can get out amongst a few big ones.
The snapper came from Mud Island, it was 6.75kg and 88cm caught on a SP on 6 pound braid.
Marty.
P.S. What is on the transom???

[Spaniard_King]

goona,

You can legally tow it witht he patrol. It only becomes illegal if you exceed the capability of the vehicle.

Go and get the boat weighed with moderate gear onboard (take it to your local refuge staion , most of the big ones have scales) ask them for the weight. Most do it for frewe as long as you dont want any paper work. This will give you an idea how close you are. IMO the 7.4 shouldnt get close to the 3500kg mark.. maybe 3000 tops so you should have a good margin.

WHat engine does it has..looks silverish :-X

[goona]

Hi Guys thanks for the advise. The motor is a 225 Honda.

[Alchemy]

These guys can upspec your GVM, but you'll end up with a dual cab!

http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/

[Donny Boy]

Jesus H Christ, Goona ! :o

THAT is a weapon !!!

Wotta beauty! ;D::):D

[lippa]

nice boat todd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pretty sure i know it, was it called "puddins beast master"
if so glenn did all the fit out on it.

see ya on the water,

[Angla]

I think you will find that the GVM on the trailer means that it can be a total of that boat/trailer weight and the trailer will still be legal. Your combination when towing is only illegal if the boat/trailer combination exceeds 3500 kg (including the tow ball weight)

Looks like a nice weapon for the upcoming fishing season

Cheers
Chris

[goona]

pretty sure i know it, was it called "puddins beast master"
if so glenn did all the fit out on it.

Lippa,

Don't know if that was the original name but all thats on it is "Beast Master. If Glenn did the fitout on it should I be worried LOL.

Goona

[lippa]

ahaahaha should be pretty right!!!!!!!! depends how much rum he drank i suppose

[welder]

Goona, SWEET RIDE dude.
I love my BF225 , she pushes my Pacific 2325 CC [ 23'-3" ] very well and gets great fuel mileage .

[Kleyny]

first of all nice boat.

To answer your question, as long as your boat and trailer does not go over the tow vehicles manufactures rating you are fine.

The plated ATM ( Aggregate Trailer Mass) has nothing to do with it. The ATM tells you how much you can load the trailer up.

So all you need to do is go to a weigh bridge ( as others have said). But to get the correct ATM you need to disconnect the trailer from the car. If you don't do this you miss the ball weight.

neil

[lippa]

ya can weigh it at the dakabin dump todd
or neilsens quarry at brendale i think they charge ya 10 bucks or so.

[Apollo]

As others have said, get it weighed, but I would pay for the paperwork and get it noted on the paperwork, what the boat is loaded with (eg full tank of fuel, tackle gear, etc). Keep it in the glovebox and it may help with coppers who ask the question. If the QT guys are there, they may still put you over a weighbridge.

I did this with a large horsefloat once and got it weighedwith my two horses and camp gear in it. Paperwork noted the two horses by their registration numbers and camp gear. Three times I was questioned by the cops who wanted to send me off to a weigh station, but I was able to pull out the paperwork and was left to get on with my day.

Bit of a pain, but I thought it was worth getting right in the first place.

Cheers
Steve