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    RL24, RL28, and RL34 Trailable Yachts
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    Can anyone advise on towing an RL24 with a one tonne ute?
    I am consdiering purchasing an RL24 but would like to know if my Ford Courier, single cab, aluminium drop side ute is up to the task. I am aware there are alot of variables eg trailer set up, boat ramp, weight in ute tray. I guess I am more concerned with whether the ute (unloaded) will travel well on the highway with the boat in tow. Does anyone have any experiences they can share? Thanks, Geoff
    Geoff Watson14-Dec-2012    Edit    Delete 
    Re: Can anyone advise on towing an RL24 with a one tonne ute?
    Geoff, you are quite right there are a lot of variables, the main one being the trailer set up. I have a MKII RL24 on a single axle trailer, I have towed it with reasonable ease with a 1998 Toyota 2X4 single cab 2.2litre petrol steel tray ute that I used to have. It's not the type of vehicle I would like to jump into to tow to the Whitsundays (from Vic) but it certainly did the job of towing to any of the local clubs in my area within an hour or so. My boat is set up for racing so we don't carry anything that is not needed, but even with a fair amount of crusing gear I believe it would be OK. My boat and trailer with all the gear in it would come in under the 1800Kg rating of the towbar. It would be a good idea to check the towbar rating on the vehicle and then put the boat and trailer over the local weigh bridge to be shaw. If the trailer is a tandem this can add considerable weight to the trailer but will also allow the trailer to carry more load.
    Darryn15-Dec-2012    Edit    Delete 
    Re: Can anyone advise on towing an RL24 with a one tonne ute?
    My only extra thought is to chock the wheels while launching and retreiving so the ute does not slide down the ramp. The first time I launched it was scary so I chock every time.
    Eric Hough17-Dec-2012    Edit    Delete 
    Re: Can anyone advise on towing an RL24 with a one tonne ute?
    You need to check the data plate on your towbar, the compliance plate on the trailer and have the trailer weighed to check all will be legal.

    Many older trailers were only rated to 1200kg ATM while most RL24s come in at about 1400kg on the trailer.
    Greg17-Dec-2012    Edit    Delete 
    Re: Can anyone advise on towing an RL24 with a one tonne ute?
    Thanks for your comments. My towbar is rated to pull up to 1800kg with a maximum ball weight of 180kg so theoretically it will handle a typical RL24 on trailer. I guess just 'playing' with the trailer setup and where the weight is in the boat will hopefully increase stability on the highway. As Darryn suggested, I don't plan to tow it too far.
    Geoff Watson21-Dec-2012    Edit    Delete 

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