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WWW.RLYACHTS.NET
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RL24, RL28, and RL34 Trailable Yachts
from Rob Legg Yachts
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RL Yacht Owner's Discussion Forum
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Return to the Forum List Bob's boat | Hi, I'm trying to help my father in law sell his RL 24 and we are having issues with working out if the trailer is legal in NSW for a boat this size. It is a single axle trailer without electric brakes. Bob bought the RL24 a number of years ago with the current single axle trailer and it was only when we showed it to a potential buyer that we began to have doubts about it. This chap seemed to think that the trailer should have tandem wheels and electric brakes. If anyone can help me clear this up I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks Paul
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| | Re: Bob's boat | In the 1970s and 1980s, most boats were put on trailers that were not really adequate for the weight of the yacht but this was not picked up by the authorities.
The buyer you are concerned about is wrong regarding needing a tandem trailer and electric brakes. These features are not mandated by the laws.
My RL24 is on a single axled trailer rated to 1600kg Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM). This means the whole trailer and boat is legal up to 1600kgs. Most RL24s are legal as long as their trailers are rated to over 1200kg ATM.
The simple way to check your trailer is to look for a compliance plate which should advise its rating.
As for types of brakes, most boat trailers do not use electric brakes due to the issues of electricity and salt water. Most RL24s are on single axle trailers with override brakes. Override brakes are brakes operated by the tow coupling, when the trailer pushes forward on the towball, the trailer brakes are applied slowing the trailer.
It is very common for old trailers to be illegal due to overloading of the trailer, intelligent buyers need to include the cost of upgrading or replacing the trailer as part of the purchase. A new trailer for an RL24 is about $4,000 or more.
There are good discussions on boat trailers on Trailer Sailer Place, a site dedicated to Australian Trailer yachts. www.trailersailerplace.com.au
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| | Re: Bob's boat | Thank you Greg. Bob will be quite relieved when I tell him (as am I). I'll check the compliance plate tomorrow and go from there. Thank you once again.
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| | Re: Bob's boat | You will need brakes but not electric ones. In QLD the trailer has to have a current safety certificate too apparently.
I have an RL28 and the rlyachts site says sail away weight of 1360kg. I took my boat over a weighbridge about an hour after purchasing it to find it weighed 2580kg (about) on the trailer. The trailer is rated for 2000kg. I recommend spending the $20 to get it weighed and then you will know for sure rather than guessing.
from this website: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/pdf/vsb01_June2009.pdf
15.1 Trailers that do not exceed 0.75 tonne GTM with a single axle
No brakes are required.
15.2 All other trailers that do not exceed 4.5 tonnes ATM
These trailers must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-. Except for over-run brakes, all brakes must be operable from the driver's seat of the towing vehicle.
For trailers up 2 tonnes GTM, an efficient braking system is considered to have brakes operating on the wheels of at least one axle. Over-run brakes may only be used on trailers that do not exceed 2 tonnes GTM.
Every trailer over 2 tonnes GTM must have brakes operating on all wheels. The brake system must cause immediate application of the trailer brakes in the event of the trailer becoming detached
from the towing vehicle. Under these circumstances, the brakes must remain applied for at least 15 minutes.
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| | Re: Bob's boat | Alistair, the VSB1 is a simplification of the Australian Design Rule.
The sentence " Over-run brakes may only be used on trailers that do not exceed 2 tonnes GTM." is different to the Design rule and out of date. Correctly designed override brakes have always been permitted above 2000kg GVM.
Its just most technical officers in State Authorities don't understand the Design rules and particularly the latest Design Rules which specifically refer to use of European override brakes. There are european 50mm override couplings rated to 2800kg easily purchased and legal.
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| | Re: Bob's boat | Hi Greg, I can only go by what I read. Do you have a reference for your information? (not trying to be smart, just interested as it's hard to get the right info)
I also found the same info I posted previously on the QLD transport and main roads site.
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modifications/Loads-and-towing/Safe-towing.aspx
direct link is:
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle%20standards%20and%20modifications/Loads%20and%20towing/Safe%20towing/Safe_towing_guide.pdf
Braking systems
Trailers that do not exceed 750kg GTM with a single axle
No brakes are required.
Note: Two axles with centres spaced less than 1 metre apart are regarded as a single axle.
All other trailers that do not exceed 4500kg ATM
These trailers must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-.
Except for over-run brakes, all brakes must be operable from the driver's seat of the towing
vehicle.
For trailers up to 2000kg GTM, an efficient braking system is considered to have brakes
operating on the wheels of at least one axle. Over-run brakes may only be used on trailers
that do not exceed 2 tonnes GTM.
Every trailer over 2000kg GTM must have brakes operating on all wheels. The brake system
must cause immediate application of the trailer brakes in the event of the trailer becoming
detached from the towing vehicle. Under these circumstances, the brakes must remain
applied for at least 15 minutes.
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| | Re: Bob's boat | The old rule:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2007C00493
5. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAILERS UP TO 4.5 TONNES ‘ATM’
5.1. Every trailer must be equipped with an efficient ‘Service Brake System’ which, with the exception of trailers equipped with an ‘Over-run Braking System’, must be designed so that the braking force can be progressively increased and decreased by means of the ‘Control Signal’ from the towing vehicle.
5.2. In the case of trailers with a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ of greater than 2 tonne, the ‘Brake System’ must operate on all wheels.
5.3. The ‘Brake System’ on trailers with a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ up to 2 tonnes may be actuated for both ‘Service Brake System’ and ‘Secondary Brake System’ by the over-run of the trailer.
5.4. Every trailer having a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ over 2 tonnes must be equipped with an efficient ‘Emergency Brake System’ which will cause immediate automatic application of its ‘Brakes’ in the event of the trailer accidentally becoming disconnected from the drawing vehicle. ‘Brakes’ so applied must remain applied for at least 15 minutes.
5.5. Trailers up to 4.5 tonnes ‘ATM’ are not required to comply with other clauses of this rule.
The current rule:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2007L02223
4. Design REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAILERS UP TO 4.5 TONNES ‘ATM’
4.1. Every trailer must be equipped with an efficient ‘Service Brake System’ which, with the exception of trailers equipped with an ‘Over-run Braking System’, must be designed so that the braking force can be progressively increased and decreased by means of the ‘Control Signal’ from the towing vehicle.
4.2. In the case of trailers with a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ of greater than 2 tonne, the ‘Brake System’ must operate on all wheels.
4.3. The ‘Brake System’ on trailers with a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ up to 2 tonnes may be actuated for both ‘Service Brake System’ and ‘Secondary Brake System’ by the over-run of the trailer.
4.4. Every trailer having a ‘Gross Trailer Mass’ over 2 tonnes must be equipped with an efficient ‘Emergency Brake System’ which will cause immediate automatic application of its ‘Brakes’ in the event of the trailer accidentally becoming disconnected from the drawing vehicle. ‘Brakes’ so applied must remain applied for at least 15 minutes.
4.5. Trailers up to 4.5 tonnes ‘ATM’ are not required to comply with other clauses of this rule.
There is nothing in the ADR 38 saying "Over-run brakes may only be used on trailers that do not exceed 2 tonnes GTM."
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| | Re: Bob's boat | For anyone interested, here is a link to an English overide coupling suitable for use on trailers up to 3,500kg ATM.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trailer-Braked-Hitch-Coupling-3500kg-by-Bradley-for-50mm-Tow-Balls-Bars-/121001112966?pt=UK_Trailers_Transporters_Parts&hash=item1c2c3a7586
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