Towing advice please!

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[email protected]

Guest
Hi all, i've bought a classic which needs restoring but it isn't roadworty
to drive home. I've been offered the loan of a heavy duty A-frame and whilst
i have used them before, i haven't any experience of towing a classic with
one. I'd appreciate any help or comments on this, also as i've always
attached an A-frame to the wishbones of the vehicles i've towed, where is
best on a classic?

thanks
Wolfie
 
[email protected] wrote:
> Hi all, i've bought a classic which needs restoring but it isn't roadworty
> to drive home. I've been offered the loan of a heavy duty A-frame and whilst
> i have used them before, i haven't any experience of towing a classic with
> one. I'd appreciate any help or comments on this, also as i've always
> attached an A-frame to the wishbones of the vehicles i've towed, where is
> best on a classic?

I was under the impression its illegal to tow any vehicle without a
current MOT, whether you use an A frame or not.

Steve
 
Its MOT'd until August 18th & taxed til end of August, it isn't roadworthy
in the respect that it isn't a runner. It's off the road due to engine
failure. I bought it to restore as it needs welding, interior work, a lot of
TLC and the engine repaired. I'm the registered owner now and i was
intending using the a-frame as a recovery method.
W.
 
On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 16:54:09 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>Hi all, i've bought a classic which needs restoring but it isn't roadworty
>to drive home. I've been offered the loan of a heavy duty A-frame and whilst
>i have used them before, i haven't any experience of towing a classic with
>one. I'd appreciate any help or comments on this, also as i've always
>attached an A-frame to the wishbones of the vehicles i've towed, where is
>best on a classic?

Depending on what you mean by an A frame: it's hardly a recovery so I
doubt it's legal. What distance involved?

Whatever else you do remove the propshafts.

I think you'd be far better off with a full trailer.

AJH
 
seems like it will be a problem. I'll be towing it 45 miles max. I know to
remove the props so no worries there. If i had a full trailer it would be
nice and solve any probs but i can't see me getting a hold of one.
thanks for replies


W
 

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> seems like it will be a problem. I'll be towing it 45 miles max. I know to
> remove the props so no worries there. If i had a full trailer it would be
> nice and solve any probs but i can't see me getting a hold of one.
> thanks for replies

last time we had to hire a trailer it cost £30 for the morning (picked up at
8am on a saturday and returned by 1pm) peanuts when up against other
potential fines.

I can recommend the wessex trailers plant trailer - most excellent for
moving landrover sized items.

Whereabouts are you?

Si


 
On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:41:22 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>If i had a full trailer it would be
>nice and solve any probs but i can't see me getting a hold of one.

If you're near NW Surrey and have a couple of hours to adjust the
brakes then you can borrow my bateson.

AJH

 
[email protected] wrote:
> Hi all, i've bought a classic which needs restoring but it isn't roadworty
> to drive home. I've been offered the loan of a heavy duty A-frame and whilst
> i have used them before, i haven't any experience of towing a classic with
> one. I'd appreciate any help or comments on this, also as i've always
> attached an A-frame to the wishbones of the vehicles i've towed, where is
> best on a classic?
>
> thanks
> Wolfie

If it needs welding on the chassis, then an A frame isn't going to hold, surely?

I once towed a Series 1 from Warwickshire down to Kent - first 30 miles on an
A-Frame. I stopped & hired a trailer as it was so difficult to tow for many
reasons, including the fact the Series 1 steering wasn't crash hot as it'd been
in a scrap yard for many years (I was to discover quickly that it really
belonged there)

I don't advise an A frame, legal or not.

Karen

--
"Sometimes I think I have a Guardian Idiot - a little invisible spirit just
behind my shoulder, looking out for me ... only he's an imbecile" - Jake Stonebender
 
On or around Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:11:02 GMT, [email protected] enlightened us
thusly:

>Its MOT'd until August 18th & taxed til end of August, it isn't roadworthy
>in the respect that it isn't a runner. It's off the road due to engine
>failure. I bought it to restore as it needs welding, interior work, a lot of
>TLC and the engine repaired. I'm the registered owner now and i was
>intending using the a-frame as a recovery method.
>W.

what are you planning on towing it with? It's a lot of weight with no
brakes to speak of, even if you have someone to sit in it and put the brakes
on, with no servo you won't get that much braking.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to
a great lie than to a small one" Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
from Mein Kampf, Ch 10
 

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> seems like it will be a problem. I'll be towing it 45 miles max. I know to
> remove the props so no worries there. If i had a full trailer it would be
> nice and solve any probs but i can't see me getting a hold of one.
> thanks for replies
>
>
> W
Its only necessary to remove the props with a suspended tow, for 4 wheels on
ground towing select neutral on main gearbox and transfer box.
Derek


 
If under tow, you dont need MOT, Insurance, Tax, and if on a "A" frame you
don't even need a driver !(of the towed car)


"steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> [email protected] wrote:
>> Hi all, i've bought a classic which needs restoring but it isn't
>> roadworty
>> to drive home. I've been offered the loan of a heavy duty A-frame and
>> whilst
>> i have used them before, i haven't any experience of towing a classic
>> with
>> one. I'd appreciate any help or comments on this, also as i've always
>> attached an A-frame to the wishbones of the vehicles i've towed, where is
>> best on a classic?
>
> I was under the impression its illegal to tow any vehicle without a
> current MOT, whether you use an A frame or not.
>
> Steve


 
On or around Sun, 13 Aug 2006 11:21:28 +0100, "METWO" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>If under tow, you dont need MOT, Insurance, Tax, and if on a "A" frame you
>don't even need a driver !(of the towed car)

You sure about that? got a convincing source?
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Soon shall thy arm, unconquered steam! afar Drag the slow barge, or
drive the rapid car; Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear the
flying chariot through the field of air.- Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802)
 

"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On or around Sun, 13 Aug 2006 11:21:28 +0100, "METWO" <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
> >If under tow, you dont need MOT, Insurance, Tax, and if on a "A" frame
you
> >don't even need a driver !(of the towed car)
>
> You sure about that? got a convincing source?
>
That's how it used to be, it was considered as one vehicle howsoever it was
fastened to it, the towing vehicle and driver were responsible for the lot.
My old man used to tow me all over the place on a rope when recovering
broken down vehicles and I was under age at that. Doubt you would get away
with it now though, I think you would at least need trailer insurance cover
for the A frame.

Martin.


 
On or around Sun, 13 Aug 2006 22:05:41 +0100, "Oily"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On or around Sun, 13 Aug 2006 11:21:28 +0100, "METWO" <[email protected]>
>> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>> >If under tow, you dont need MOT, Insurance, Tax, and if on a "A" frame
>you
>> >don't even need a driver !(of the towed car)
>>
>> You sure about that? got a convincing source?
>>
>That's how it used to be, it was considered as one vehicle howsoever it was
>fastened to it, the towing vehicle and driver were responsible for the lot.
>My old man used to tow me all over the place on a rope when recovering
>broken down vehicles and I was under age at that. Doubt you would get away
>with it now though, I think you would at least need trailer insurance cover
>for the A frame.

AFAIK now a towed vehicle has to be legal. not sure about A frames.

Just been looking at RTA 1988...

------
144. Exceptions from requirements of third-party insurance or security

(1) Section 143 of this Act does not apply to a vehicle owned by a person
who has deposited and keeps deposited with the Accountant General of the
Supreme Court the sum of £500,000, at a time when the vehicle is being
driven under the owner’s control.
------

which is interesting, didn't know that was still there. If I win
significant money on the lottery, I'll do that just to spite the bloody
insurance companies...

but all the other exceptions are for things like ambulances, police
vehicles, council vehicles and the like.

oooh, here's a good one:

------
(c) to a vehicle at a time when it is being driven on a journey to or from
any place undertaken for salvage purposes pursuant to Part IX of the
Merchant Shipping Act 1995,
------

but nothing about a vehicle being towed. can't find sepcific info as yet
about towing vehicles.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to
a great lie than to a small one" Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
from Mein Kampf, Ch 10
 

"Austin Shackles" <[email protected]> wrote in message

> >>
> >> You sure about that? got a convincing source?
> >>

> >That's how it used to be, it was considered as one vehicle howsoever it
was
> >fastened to it, the towing vehicle and driver were responsible for the
lot.
> >My old man used to tow me all over the place on a rope when recovering
> >broken down vehicles and I was under age at that. Doubt you would get
away
> >with it now though, I think you would at least need trailer insurance
cover
> >for the A frame.
>
> AFAIK now a towed vehicle has to be legal. not sure about A frames.
>

I suppose a broken down vehicle would have been legal anyway as it was on
the road beforehand but they probably didn't bother who was steering it was
(more or less) under the control of the driver in front.

> Just been looking at RTA 1988...
>
> ------
> 144. Exceptions from requirements of third-party insurance or security
>
> (1) Section 143 of this Act does not apply to a vehicle owned by a person
> who has deposited and keeps deposited with the Accountant General of the
> Supreme Court the sum of £500,000, at a time when the vehicle is being
> driven under the owner's control.
> ------
>
> which is interesting, didn't know that was still there. If I win
> significant money on the lottery, I'll do that just to spite the bloody
> insurance companies...
>
Do it now Austin, you can't take it with you, you know :)

> but all the other exceptions are for things like ambulances, police
> vehicles, council vehicles and the like.
>
> oooh, here's a good one:
>
> ------
> (c) to a vehicle at a time when it is being driven on a journey to or from
> any place undertaken for salvage purposes pursuant to Part IX of the
> Merchant Shipping Act 1995,
> ------

That's probably just for export, part of that act? it's got to be going to
the docks.

Martin
>
> but nothing about a vehicle being towed. can't find sepcific info as yet
> about towing vehicles.
> --
> Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
> "The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to
> a great lie than to a small one" Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
> from Mein Kampf, Ch 10


 
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