The Club has two trailers.
The large trailer may only be towed by a towing vehicle with an appropriate engine capacity (see GOV.UK website notes).
Drivers must have a pre-1997 licence or hold a trailer towing qualification following a specialist towing test.
The smaller lightweight trailer can be towed by cars and younger drivers without taking a specialist towing test (see GOV.UK website notes).
The ultimate responsibility for the safe loading of the trailer lies with the trailer driver (insurance). Therefore the driver must supervise and check the loading along with completing trailer safety checks before beginning a journey.
1. Loading Plan This should be in place in advance of every event and should be used for outward and inward journeys.
2. The loading plan is the responsibility of the driver of the towing vehicle but coaches should assist in preparing this.
3. Boats to be used should be listed by Vice Captains and the trailer driver informed once the draw has been confirmed.
4. The trailer/s should be loaded top first, then middle then sides, highest rack first.
5. Sectioned boats should be dovetailed and not put on separate racks.
6. The bottom of the trailer should be loaded carefully and tidily in order to reduce damage to equipment, particularly blades. (In simple terms flinging it in and walking off will not do.)
7. Overloading and slinging of boats is not an option. (Crews should take responsibility for their riggers and seats leaving the trailer for blades and trestles.)
8. Seniors & Coaches should check boats which have been tied on by juniors as they cannot be held fully responsible for this task.
9. All competitors should take part in the loading and offloading of Club equipment, not just their own equipment.
10. Scullers owning their own boats are responsible for their boats, which may well be the last to load and the first to need offloading.
11. Evening activities should not be planned on regatta/head race days. All those competing should expect to be at offload and not assume that someone else will offload their boat/s.
12. Offload/rerig If the trailer is returned to the Club before 8pm all boats and equipment should be offloaded, washed and re-rigged. If the trailer returns after 8pm all equipment should be offloaded. Riggers should be placed on the upper floor of the boathouse, in sets. Washing of boats, blades, seats and riggers and re-rigging should take place the next day.
13. All those who tow club trailers, whether with their own car or the Club Jeep, are asked to complete the BR online trailer driving course and to inform Lisa Cocks, Safety Advisor, on completion.
NB More trailer drivers are needed are needed for the club truck – currently five named drivers.
GOV.UK website information.
1. Driving licence rules and what you can tow
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
You can view your driving licence information online to see if you’re allowed to tow.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
From 19 January 2013, drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow:
• small trailers weighing no more than 750kg
• a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)
If you want to tow a trailer weighing more than 750kg, when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is more than 3,500kg, you’ll have to pass a further test and get B+E entitlement on your licence.
You’ll then be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Licences held from 1 January 1997
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can:
• drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
• tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
For anything heavier you need to take a category B+E driving test.
Licences held before 1 January 1997
If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.
This is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it’s being used on the road.
You also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.