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Driving and Towing

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Instructions

                    If the boats are to be transported the first problem is to locate a suitable .  Enquirys should be made to deterimine what electrical connection it has
                    and weather the  will be required.

                    Load the vehicle respecting the manufacturers limits which should be documented in the owners manual. Spread the load typically putting lead wieght belts within the front passengers footwell. It is club practise to generally load cylinders with the valves facing to the rear - the rational being in case the vehicle comes to a sudden stop - i.e. crashes. Drivers must be aware that stopping distances are longer with a heavily laden vehicle and be respectful of the fact that a heavy car with people and diving cylinders is not the best vehicle to crash.

                    Fuel is problematical for UBUC. The quantities required by the two boats and the portable compressor far exceed the needs of the normal motorist and it must be transported by road. The legal advice courtesy of the RYA may be found in
                        . Our understanding is that there is legal provision to carry fuel of the quantities we need in the containers we have but that petrol stations are equally allowed to decide to not sell it to us - so there may be some driving around to fill up. Consideration should be given to carrage of a fire extinguisher but it is not mandatory for us as it would be for a commercial organisation. Though should be also given to what the vehicle is carrying. Where it is possible it is best to separate fuel and cylinders - especially Oxygen Cylinders and normal practise is to carry fuel in the boat trailer.

                    An appropriate 
                        is hard to come by but once the cost of vehicle fuel/parking and air re-fills are considered a trip with one van and a fewer cars is usually cheaper than an equivalent trip with many cars filled with people and diver gear. Insuring drivers of university age commercially is tricky and so vans are usually hired through the union where they may be driven with a standard driver. Vans with towbars for the boats are more difficult to find but a van towing a trailer can be driven by a student driver. Be aware that damage to a hire vehicle may incur a hefty excess payment. The trip policy in the event of damage should be made clear to all at organisation time.


                        The trailer is the drivers responsibility. On a post 1997 license only 750Kg may be towed
                        and that trailer, boats do fit within this limit. The load must be secured using the ratchet straps.
                        Do not thread the ratchet straps through the boat handles because the forces experienced during towing will damage the boat handles - there is no risk of the boats coming off if the straps are tight..
                        Ensure the steel cables are removed when towing as they may wear through the boat materialLights need to be checked, a license plate needs to be constructed to match that of the towing vehicle, the breakaway cable must be connected


                        , The speed limit is 50mph on all roads except motorways where it is 60mph. A  should not use the outside lane of the motorway unless in an emergancy.

                    UBUC has damaged both trailer parts and vehicles by not following proper reverse procedure. The problem is that compression of the hitch is what causes the brakes to apply. When reversing the hitch is also compressed and the vehicle can end up reversing against a fully braked trailer. to prevent this the hitch has a setting that must be set when reversing.
                        Ensure that the hitch is set to reverse before reversing.


                    Our insurers are quite clear,
                        . They will not pay out for the theft of trailers or equipment unless it has been properly secured. The trailer must be locked with its  even for if lift for only a short time like a motorway service stop. 
                        The boats and anything under or between them will not be insured if they can be lifted off and so must be securely attached with the  and .