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Can I just detail, in the correct forum this time, what I understand in relation to the legalities of towed cars behind a-frames?
Advantages/disadvantages/safety/operation/construction/practicalities/cost is a whole new book/s but I'm happy to add my penny's worth on those subjects too, if asked!
I know this subject has been discussed exhaustively and some do not want to see it again, ever, probably because they are towing cars with unbraked a-frames, or without red reflective triangles, or over their train weight limit etc. etc.
I offer this to prospective new a-framers (the more the better) for info only and that is why it is posted as an attempt to gather it all together in one place. I make no apology for posting it, take it or leave it. I welcome replies/comment/debate on the content (but not on my right to post), good or bad.
D f T have stated they regard a-frames are legal provided they meet the lighting and braking regulations applicable to trailers, which is what the car is treated as, when towed. Temporary and universal "dolly" type a-frames can only be used to move a car to a place of safety or repair.
Therefore, they have given us a framework in which the concept is legal for car specific properly engineered and permanent modifications to turn cars into trailers but it is up to very tower to ensure that, in practice, their particular combination meets the trailer regulations each and every time they take to the road. This also applies to all other towers of caravans etc but as their trailers are not dual purpose like ours, it is much easier for them e.g. red triangles/towing vehicle registration are permanently affixed, auto reverse brakes, one axle etc.
Certain combinations meet these regulations and are therefore UK legal; others do not. It is incumbent on all of us that we do not give the authorities an excuse to legislate against towing cars on a-frames. In this country/commonwealth/USA most things are legal unless legislated against; in Napoleonic based law (most of the rest of the EU) the opposite applies i.e. every situation has to be specifically legislated for or its probably illegal!
Trailer regulations state that a trailer of less than 750KG GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT (GVW) or Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) (i.e. the specific maximum weight authorised of a trailer including its load), can be unbraked. Do NOT use the often quoted unladen (“kerb”) weight and do not forget to add the weight of the a-frame itself to the car’s MAM. Only “car” I know of under this MAM is the French Axiam.
However, if brakes ARE fitted to a trailer they must be continuously or semi-continuously operable (cable over-run, hydraulic, pneumatic). As all cars have brakes fitted it must be obvious (to Police, VOSA, anyone) that a-frames used to tow cars as trailers must be of the braked variety, irrespective of the MAM of the car. A braked a-frame pulls on the car’s brake pedal via a cable operated by over-run when the M/H brakes (similar to a caravan). The requirement of a 50% braking efficiency for a trailer has been shown by Car-a-Tow to be easily achievable with the overun system employed, even without using the car's servo. In any event, D f T have stated, no facilities exist to check this requirement! I know that when my set-up is properly adjusted I can feel the car assisting the braking effect of the combination by not continuing to push hard after the car’s brakes apply.
Some braked a-frame overun systems allow you to carefully reverse without pulling the car brakes on (you do not have momentum taking effect); others do not. NOTE the regulations DO NOT call for "auto reverse" brakes as fitted to caravans but the capability to reverse without manual intervention. They do not specify in what situation, how far or whether round corners. On surfaces with good friction (eg tarmac/concrete) I can reverse as far as I need to in a straightish line without the car's brakes engaging or the car's front wheels castoring (ie the rolling resistance is less than sideways resistance).
There is a debate whether the decceleration sensing electrically operated American “Brake Buddy” system meets the “semi-continuous” requirement. I personally do not see why it does not and it would allow people using un-braked a-frames to easily upgrade to a braked outfit but it is expensive.
Trailer regulations also state that
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must be fitted to the rear and that the registration plate displayed is the same as the towing vehicle. I attach my triangles magnetically and also (not legally required) an “ON TOW” sign. The existing car lighting works from the MH without the need of a board (through cable) although some cars do need a board. The rear number plate is changed on the car each towed trip.
In other words, everything you have on other trailers/caravans should be replicated and is no more or less legal than they are when they take to the road with their fixed a-frames. There is no requirement for certificates of conformity, written “proof”, or anything else more than that is required or provided by caravan/trailer suppliers and manufacturers.
Other EU states may possibly accept British combinations for temporary importation as long as our regulations are met but are not legally obliged to if they do not allow it for their own nationals. I have towed 1000's of miles for over 3 years in UK, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany with no problems at all from officialdom but with intense interest and enthusiasm from the public. Check with your insurer/s that they are ok with you pulling a car and with the modifications to the car; I have it in writing from my insurer/s that I am covered. Go for it, so that we become a body of people, practising an inherently safe and legal pastime, big enough not to be messed with!
Regards,
Noel.
Last edited by Noel on Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:06 pm; edited 16 times in total
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That's the most balanced post I've ever read about A frames.
I would go so far as to suggest that every "A framer" carries a copy (assuming they comply as above). This demonstrates that at least they have considered the law, and it gives their reasoning behind their interpretation.
We all know that it may carry little weight (no pun intended) with the Police if you are stopped, especially abroad, but it might counter some of the more obvious issues.
The only problem I see, is with the reversing requirement, which still remains subjective. I agree with your statement that auto reverse brakes aren't specifically a requirement, but I'm not sure what "the capability to reverse without manual intervention" actually means. It COULD be taken to mean capability to reverse out of the way of an oncoming vehicle, which might mean being able to turn.
Personally, I used a trailer, but I never had such good information spelt out for me. Nowadays I have a smaller M/H and don't need to tow a car.
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I think it's the first time I've seen all of the 'issues' addressed in such an uncomplicated fashion. I have no idea whether all the details are correct, but they seem to tally with most of what I've read before.
Gerald
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That's the most balanced post I've ever read about A frames.
I would go so far as to suggest that every "A framer" carries a copy (assuming they comply as above). This demonstrates that at least they have considered the law, and it gives their reasoning behind their interpretation.
We all know that it may carry little weight (no pun intended) with the Police if you are stopped, especially abroad, but it might counter some of the more obvious issues.
The only problem I see, is with the reversing requirement, which still remains subjective. I agree with your statement that auto reverse brakes aren't specifically a requirement, but I'm not sure what "the capability to reverse without manual intervention" actually means. It COULD be taken to mean capability to reverse out of the way of an oncoming vehicle, which might mean being able to turn.
Personally, I used a trailer, but I never had such good information spelt out for me. Nowadays I have a smaller M/H and don't need to tow a car.
Hi,
Agree the reversing requirement is not specific but that is surely to our advantage? In any event we can always a) disconnect the car's brakes on the a-frame or b) drive the car away in the situation you mention; which puts us at an advantage over the average caravanner who does not have the skills to reverse at all even if he has the capability!
Noel.
Last edited by Noel on Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:27 pm; edited 1 time in total
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The maximum trailer weight is not always the difference between maximum train weight and Gross Vehicle Weight.
Two reasons
1) The maximum trailer weight could be specified by the towbar, and could be lower than your sum would arrive at.
2) If the ACTUAL weight of the M/H is lower than its GVW, then you MAY be able to tow more than your sum would arrive at.
Hi,
Agree point 1) but not 2) as GVW only must be used in the calculation because checkers (police etc) must just be able to refer to plated reference and NOT suffer the "inconvenience" of taking you to a weighbridge to check actual mass in running order.
Noel.
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The maximum trailer weight is not always the difference between maximum train weight and Gross Vehicle Weight.
Two reasons
1) The maximum trailer weight could be specified by the towbar, and could be lower than your sum would arrive at.
2) If the ACTUAL weight of the M/H is lower than its GVW, then you MAY be able to tow more than your sum would arrive at.
Hi,
Agree point 1) but not 2) as GVW only must be used in the calculation because checkers (police etc) must just be able to refer to plated reference and NOT suffer the "inconvenience" of taking you to a weighbridge to check actual mass in running order.
Noel.
No, I'm pretty sure about this. There are many vehicles (eg 4x4s and MPVs) where the manufacturer specifies towing weights far above the difference between the vehcile's GVW and the max train weight.
The bit about checkers not needing weighbridges is more to do with licenses. They couldn't "do" you for being over train weight, just because the 2 GVWs added up to more.
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The maximum trailer weight is not always the difference between maximum train weight and Gross Vehicle Weight.
Two reasons
1) The maximum trailer weight could be specified by the towbar, and could be lower than your sum would arrive at.
2) If the ACTUAL weight of the M/H is lower than its GVW, then you MAY be able to tow more than your sum would arrive at.
Hi,
Agree point 1) but not 2) as GVW only must be used in the calculation because checkers (police etc) must just be able to refer to plated reference and NOT suffer the "inconvenience" of taking you to a weighbridge to check actual mass in running order.
Noel.
No, I'm pretty sure about this. There are many vehicles (eg 4x4s and MPVs) where the manufacturer specifies towing weights far above the difference between the vehcile's GVW and the max train weight.
The bit about checkers not needing weighbridges is more to do with licenses. They couldn't "do" you for being over train weight, just because the 2 GVWs added up to more.
Yes but 4x4s are used off road/on farms/private land a lot where the law does not apply and the manufacturer would want to trumpet their total capability? We need asprn (Dougie) to come back on this but I believe that you can be done just on the plated evidence (if on the public highway of course).
Noel.
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