Overhung Load

[fisherman]

I hope somebody can help with this one.

I have converted a baggage trailer to carry a Canadian canoe. The Canoe protrudes over the rear of the trailer by 1.1 metres. The lights and number plate of the trailer can clearly be seen from behind.

What are the rules in France for such a load. Can I get away with a piece of rag or one of those stripy triangles on the end of the Canoe or do I need to somehow fix a towing board with lights to the end of the Canoe.

Any advice would be welcome. Thank You

[AnOther]

Code de la route Art R312-21:  Dimensions et conditions du chargement débordement charge arrière

A l'arrière, le chargement d'un véhicule ou d'une remorque ne

doit pas dépasser de plus de 3 mètres l'extrémité dudit véhicule ou de

sa remorque.

La longueur des ensembles spécialisés dans le transport des

véhicules peut, lorsqu'ils sont en charge, être augmentée par l'emploi

d'un support de charge autorisé pour ces transports. L'ensemble, y

compris son chargement, ne doit en aucun cas excéder une longueur totale

de 20,35 mètres s'il s'agit d'un train routier ou de 16,5 mètres s'il

s'agit d'un véhicule articulé.

Le fait, pour tout conducteur, de contrevenir aux dispositions du

présent article est puni de l'amende prévue pour les contraventions de

la quatrième classe.

Toutefois, lorsque les dépassements excèdent les limites

réglementaires de plus de 20 %, l'amende encourue est celle prévue pour

les contraventions de la cinquième classe.  Dans ce cas, la récidive de

cette contravention est réprimée conformément à l'article 132-11 du code

pénal.

[fisherman]

Thanks for that. The overhang is OK.

Can anybody give any advice on what the French police would consider a suitable end marker.

Thanks

[NickP]

[quote user="fisherman"]Thanks for that. The overhang is OK. Can anybody give any advice on what the French police would consider a suitable end marker. Thanks[/quote]

 

Not a clue honestly, but I would think that would depend on your judgement and how much you value the safety of the cargo. I would make sure that any following traffic could easily identify an overhanging load. After all half a canoe is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. [:D]

[woolybanana]

Perhaps an overhung gendarmette might be persuaded to offer her services as chocloate rearguard!!

[andyh4]

What would be a suitable end marker?

 

Flashing red light is what is often used on trucks - and of course is visible day and night

[woolybanana]

Apparently gendarmettes can be distinguishd at night by a similar light!

[nomoss]

Last year I needed to move the mast of my boat, about 14 metres long, from its mooring to my house, about 8 km.

I called into our local Gendarmerie to explain what I wanted to do. A pleasant gendarmette said it was OK, but to drive very slowly.

I laid the mast on cradles along the top of my small baggage trailer, with about 4 metres overhang at the back, and lashed it down so that the trailer's towing frame stayed clear of the ground. I fixed a trailer coupling to the flat top af the mast, hitched it onto my van, and attached a trailer lighting board to the free end of the mast.

With my son to help we trundled off homewards, with no problems until we reached a sharp right turn in a village, which I would have to approach from the LH side of the road. My son ran ahead to stop the traffic, just as a Gendarmerie van arrived on the scene. 

Not only did they not comment on my very long tow, they suggested taking another route to avoid sharp corners. When I explained that I had to go via that corner to get home, they held up the traffic for me while I negotiated the corner. 

[Val_2]

We always used one of those white plastic tubes with reflectors all round that are about 10" long and sold here to put on end of overhanging items. I would put plenty of warnings on it if I were you, some dippy holidaymakers driving about not looking where they are going

[ericd]

Have also brought an indian canoe from Britanny to Noirmoutier and all the way back to NE England the lot lashed to the top of a motorbike that was on its trailer (the Clampets would have been proud). As I was only travelling during day time, I attached the largets red rag I could find and never had an issue. If you intend to travel during night time, why don't you add a few strips of red fluorescent tape to the rag?

[Jonzjob]

[quote user="andyh4"]

What would be a suitable end marker?

 

Flashing red light is what is often used on trucks - and of course is visible day and night

[/quote]

If you mean the orange rotating lights they use on the Convoie Exceptional and tractors you need a special license to use them. I had an occasion to stick one on the top of our car after an accident on a bad bend. The other guy wouldn't sign the form so the gendarme were called and a very friendly Anglophile gendarme asked if I had such a license. When I said that I hadn't he said that it would be a good idea if I removed it before a policeman saw it because I would be fined.. He also spoke to the other bloke who then came and signed the form [:D]

[andyh4]

No John

 

There are quite specifically red.  I have no idea if you need a licence though.

[Jonzjob]

Neither did I at the time Andy [:$]

I haven't seen red ones? Perhaps they are for 'special' trucks that trade in the night [6] They have them in Paris apparently, supposed to be very comfortable from the news item I saw. Not too sure about the 'lady' drivers though [8-)]

[fisherman]

Thank you all for the advice.

I was thinking about an orange flashing light so I am glad that I have been warned. If fact my question was prompted about a worry that there may be some compulsory marking that I would need to have.

I will be doing all my towing during the day so I think I will use one of those stripy signs that you usually see fixed to bikes on motor home.

A bit of a challenge to fit a flat sign on a pointy end.

Again thanks for all the advice.