Chat & Social > The Bar - General Chat
A-FRAME THROUGH THE DARTFORD TUNNEL
Disco Matt:
I think (not 100% sure) that the only cars light enough to tow legally behind a motorhome are really tiny ones (smaller than the Cinquecento).
I have seen a kit advertised that equips a car with remotely controllable brakes, so when the towing vehicle brakes the car brakes will also be activated. However, there still seems to be some debate about legality. Bear in mind that you cannot reverse a vehicle with an A frame as the wheels will tend to slew to one side.
ChrisV8:
The only car I think you can legally tow behind a car/van/LR/motorhome is an Axiom a tiny 500cc French cycle car so light two can just about pick it up !!!!!
I have an A frame but it is not legal to use as I am not a garge / recovery Company. Loads of people use them but you are absolutely stuffed if stopped by the Plod. Quite a number of motor homes have found that out on the M6 this year !!! [-X [-X
Gordo:
It's the trailer weight thing that's the problem.
If your trailer is over 750Kg you need the "+E" bit on your licence too.
Technically the car-behind-motorhome towing isn't legal.
You could tow it with a rope though :)
V8MoneyPit:
--- Quote from: discowoman on January 30, 2009, 09:18:26 ---
--- Quote from: JumboBeef on January 30, 2009, 09:09:49 ---So all those motorhomes towing small cars behind them are illegal then? Interesting :-k
--- End quote ---
NO - as they are below the 750kg limit (fiat 126 and cincequento thingies) also a few companies do a brake hook up conversion (read camping and caravanning - they advertise in the back)
--- End quote ---
But that's the gross weight. The curb weight of a Cinquecento is just under 730Kgs. The Gross weight must be way over 750Kgs.
winchman:
--- Quote from: Nick4X4 on January 30, 2009, 01:10:32 ---look here about A frames ;)
http://www.ntta.co.uk/faq/default.htm
--- End quote ---
Heres all the facts from the link and it is correct as I see it from when I look at this in depth
I have a motor home and want to tow a Fiat Seicento behind it using an A-frame. This car has a kerb weight under 750 kg so am I legal with this outfit? Sorry no is the answer. The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 - 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small "car". This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety.
So however you dress it up, if its a trailer the brakes wont conform, When calculating the braking forces Plod may well see it as a car, then the brakes wont work to the designed efficiency.
Just buy a trailer . I would alos add plod has been out side the auctions recently stopping people A framing stuff home
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