a frames

[Pikey]

I know a chap who makes em if anyone wants one.

 

[Pikey]

"an A frame or dolly can only be used by a recovery vehicle operator to retrieve a broken-down vehicle and move it to a place of safety. Note:they cannot be used for any other purpose, including transportation. ...... (in towing a car with an a-frame) it must therefore conform fully to those parts of the regulations that apply to a trailer including lighting e.g. triangular reflectors must be fitted. If an a-framewere used without providing any means of braking then the car being towed would be regarded as an unbraked trailer and must therefore have a maximum GVW of 750kg. The weight is often wrongly referred to as the actual or kerb weight, but it is the towed cars GVW that has to be used. You will not find a (production) car made today with a GVW of less than 750kg. The small Smart FourTwo coupe has a GVW of 950kg. .... (for a-frame set ups using over-run coupling etc), trailer brakes must meet european directives and a car braking system does not meet these with regard to automatic reversing requirements. .... when a car is placed on a dolly you are towing two "trailers" at the same time. Other regulations (the road traffic act) therefore apply, limiting the speed to 40mph on a motorway and 30mph on all other roads."

Haynes The Trailer Manual. so it must be true.

Fromt the National Trailer Towing Association FAQ page UK NTTA - National Trailer and Towing Association

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.

 

[discomania]

while your onnabout em anybody want one? i took off the front of me slitty,its taking up room in the shed,its a bolt to chassis jobbie with towing eye.
SHOULD DO SOMEONE A FAVOUR

Didn't see that pic last night - from the description I though you was talking about an A frame - as in a nudge bar type affair!

 

[oil dripper]

Didn't see that pic last night - from the description I though you was talking about an A frame - as in a nudge bar type affair!

na mate!

 

[oil dripper]

I know a chap who makes em if anyone wants one.

got one similar,clamps over the bumper,sound for series and defenders,use a ratchet strap round the bumper and axle,just in case of the tinworm

 

[ratty]

"an A frame or dolly can only be used by a recovery vehicle operator to retrieve a broken-down vehicle and move it to a place of safety. Note:they cannot be used for any other purpose, including transportation. ...... (in towing a car with an a-frame) it must therefore conform fully to those parts of the regulations that apply to a trailer including lighting e.g. triangular reflectors must be fitted. If an a-framewere used without providing any means of braking then the car being towed would be regarded as an unbraked trailer and must therefore have a maximum GVW of 750kg. The weight is often wrongly referred to as the actual or kerb weight, but it is the towed cars GVW that has to be used. You will not find a (production) car made today with a GVW of less than 750kg. The small Smart FourTwo coupe has a GVW of 950kg. .... (for a-frame set ups using over-run coupling etc), trailer brakes must meet european directives and a car braking system does not meet these with regard to automatic reversing requirements. .... when a car is placed on a dolly you are towing two "trailers" at the same time. Other regulations (the road traffic act) therefore apply, limiting the speed to 40mph on a motorway and 30mph on all other roads."

Haynes The Trailer Manual. so it must be true.

What year was the haynes manual published.
In 2000 the road lighting regulations regarding towing a broken down vehicle changed.

As it stands at the moment. A broken down vehicle being towed does NOT need a trailer board. It requires....

1) red lights to be shown to the rear between dusk and dawn (put the side lights on and jobs a good un).

2) red reflectors to the rear. ( most cars have them in the rear light clusters but in the case of defenders and series they are seperate on the rear).

3) a number plate clearly displayed. (the law doesn't state if it is that of the towing car or of the one being towed so either will do).

4) There is no mention about brake lights, indicators or triangular reflectors.

 

[CharlesY]

I made a frame for towing a BMW motorbike and sidecar.
Got lots of photos.
It pulled the bike by the front forks.
We took it 340 miles that way, and it towed beautifully.

It was fun watching people seeing the outfit following us apparently without a driver.

The outfit weighs a lot less than 750 kilos.

I wonder what the law says about this!

CharlesY

WHOOPEEEEE ! I got a photo in a thread!!!!

 

[Trewey]

So, all those furrinners who arrive in Kernow in their gargantuan motor homes, with a small car in tow, are illegal are they?

Hmmm......

 

[Oddie]

Yeah, but possibly better than the alternative - i saw one driving round last year that effectively had a garage on the back, there was a port that they actually drove their smart car into, the ramp whirred up and the smart was encased within the vehicle! It was about a million feet long!

You can't beat em (well, actually we could try!)

 

[muddythelandy]

Haynes trailer book was first published in 2006.

But one of their "one spanner" jobs took me the best part of a day, an angle grinder, a blow torch and an enormous hammer.