I'm Confused?? Are A frames really legal?? Forums

Triple7

The link below is from the "Nation Trailer and Towing Association Ltd"

http://www.ntta.co.uk/faq/default.htm

The 4th question down basically says that towing a car on an "A frame" is illegal, due to non-compliance with European Directive 71/320/EEC?? Confused

This can't be correct..................can it????????

teemyob

A highly debated debatable subject.

Try searching the forum with the serch button.

Trev.

2kias

eddievanbitz · Last edited by eddievanbitz on Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

NO one knows, definitively, there this loads of material, often contradictory.

NO one has ever been prosecuted in the UK for using one despite being involved in crashes and the like.

People have, they say, been fined for using A frames abroad, and been asked to un couple them by local Police, but again, there is evidence that the authorities have refunded fines when challenged.

It is a really thorny subject that gets people really wound up. I think of them as the Ten percent brigade Laughing

At each end of the debate there are ten percent that believe that they are right IE

"Dear Angry from Nuttersfield, I have been using an A frame for a 100 years, ergo it is illegal. Yours Pighead"

Followed by

"Dear Pighead, Under EU directive 8984623827346 appendix 673682A 3637 Subsection Six, it quite clearly refers to VOSA rule 25638303H Part two and three. This clearly states that "The use of an A frame or any other towing device is illegal" I hope that this is now clear! How can you be so stupid not to realise this?"

The other eighty percent of us, use them safely and sensibly, get waved at by Policemen when we wave at them and enjoy the benefit of an A frame.

Just my opinion, not backed by anything, and not trying to coerce or convince anyone that I am right or wrong as I don't really care! Smile

thieawin

There is authorative and persuasive official and semi officila stuff either way.

Go ask a lawyer he will say that it might be legal, might be illegal, but until there is a precedent interpreting the obscure rules no one will know

So you take a risk, pays your money and takes your choice, or you don't

We can say dollies are illegal except for towing to a repair garage, thats a definite. We can say A frames are definitely legal for very small light cars, the question is with a larger car ,which must be braked as a trailer over 750kg, the car brakes as operated meet the braking requirements for a braked trailer, the anecdotal evidence is that they probably don't.

I am not advising any one to use one ilegally but I wonder which police force can accurately measure that figure.

Remember always tell your insurers, both of the towing and towed vehicle.

2kias

Oh dear, here we go again!
The rule that proves it to me is the one where it says you must be able to reverse the outfit with the vehicle coupled up.
I've tried it and you can't.
The other rule says that any vehicle being towed and has brakes, they must work. Forget the weight!!
Again you make your own decision. Will still use ours in the U.K.

asprn

DJP

guzzijim