Towing a quadracycle (QPod, Quadzilla etc) Forums

Patrick_Phillips

Has anyone any advice on the legallity or otherwise of towing something like the Qpod?
Seems to me that because it is towed on a conventional towbar it doesn't have the reversing problems of an A-frame.
It is easy to comply with the braking regs as it can have the overrun brake linked to the vehicle brakes as with the handbrake. Also, the brakes are not power assist so if applied by a break-away chain, the full braking effect would be in force. Because it is light at less than 400Kg GVW, it would seem that it actually would not require brakes anyway...
I appreciate that it is still a vehicle even when being towed as a trailer and must be taxed and insured.
There are an increasing number of these quadracycles coming along and it seems to make sense not to have a trailer to carry our runabout and it would be easier to protect against theft with wheel clamp and removable steering wheel.
Any thoughts, folks?

DABurleigh

My only thought is to have a good drive 2 up before you buy. I think the concept is way ahead of the design execution reality Sad

Dave

Wizzo

geraldandannie · Moderator

Hi Patrick

I don't know if you've had time to read up on Noel's attempt to clarify the legalitites of towing with an A-frame (sharing many similarities with towing a Qpod). Also, have you contacted the makers of the Qpod (often seen sporting a neatly-trimmed beard and talking to someone he calls The Banker)?

Noels thread is

Patrick_Phillips

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have been reading everything I can find but it seems to be mostly about A-Frame towing.
Because the qudracycles are hitched by lifting the steering wheels off the ground it becomes a two wheel trailer. This gets rid of the reversing problems.
Because it uses unassisted hydraulics for breaking the requirement for mechanical or hydraulic application of the trailer brakes becomes much easier - one can use a staraight forward bowden cable ling from the overrun on the hitch to the grake pedal on the vehicle.
I just feel there must be something I am missing because I haven't seen this type of rig around...

ActiveCampers

Wow! Isn't the world funny.

I have been "interested" in a quadzilla buggy for a while, but always in 2 minds. The new 300cc version seems lighter and cheaper than the 250cc - so temptation back.,

Anyway two days ago I was thinking about this again, and a trailer is a HUGE hassle.

However, if you've seen these buggies, they are basically steel tubular chassis. So - I was thinking....

Why not have some "tubing" welded to the frame (front/central) - and then just have a tow hook and bracket that can be fed into the tubing and locked into place. Wink

These things are so light, you can lift the nose up with ease and hook onto tow bar Smile

As surely, the chassis is strong enough and stronger than a cheap trailer anyway.

Electics are a synch, either a trailer board or some DIY recabling and use buggy lights....

Downside is most of these have fixed rear axle (no diff) - so not really ideal. Also I'd not want to tow with the gearbox taking a bit of load. So in my head I'm trying to work out how to "safely fix" a couple of 13" trailer wheels with minor suspension underneath the rear...... Y'know - a few bolts to a strengthened part of the chassis where the wheels/rear subframe is mounted anyway.... Should be AT LEAST as strong as a trailer. Need some form of jacking/levering mechanism to get it up and the wheels fitted.....

Not sure the legallities of this idea, but I'm convinved it'd be okay - it doesn't need to be braked as it'd be <400kg all in etc. EDIT: As this would be on an extra set of wheels (unbraked) then it doens't matter that the buggy has brakes as the wheels would ALL be off the road.

For < £3k for a 300cc Quadizzla buggy, i'd guess if I want one I'll just buy one and work out the puzzle once I see how the chassis is made.

However, if someone wants to extend my idea - keep me informed Smile

Edit2: Buggy URL:

Patrick_Phillips

I think you could achieve this plan by using a single rectangle section tube across the chassis in front of the rear wheels held in place by just two (M14+?) to fix it. Then mount Autow or Indespension units.
Two issues come to mind.
1. Would this mean that the vehicle is no longer a vehicle but a trailer in law ?
2. Where would you keep the wheels and axle when using the buggy?
As far as I can see, the gearbox is not at risk from towing - certainly QPod claim this to be the case.
There are some buggies which have proper diffs. See

AJHales

I own a joyner 650 from stormbuggies that I bought with my brother-in-law from a dealer in Monmouth.

They are great fun and and very light. Very Happy

If we have the off-road tyres on we use a trailer to get it around, but I looked at the QPod web site and loved the idea of adding a tow hitch to the front of the buggy and towing it on it's rear wheels.

We are hoping to get our first motorhome in 2 weeks and I had planned to tow the buggy on it's trailer, but I will now research to see if we can use the QPod arrangement.

Hoping to go up to Monmouth in a fortnight so I'll ask then,

Andy

burford57

[quote="DABurleigh"]My only thought is to have a good drive 2 up before you buy. I think the concept is way ahead of the design execution reality Sad

Wise words indeed. I have a late 2004 Qpod Sport with the "flotation" tyres and most of the accessories - bull bar, luggage rack, cab kit, doors and the all-important towing bar. I bought it to tow behind our camper (then a Sherpa 215, since upgraded to a Freight Rover 285 base vehicle) as my wife and I had realised the limitations of using one of my 50cc bikes - and I have a few! - for off-site transport.

I towed it to my home in Dover from the point of sale in Bristol with my Citroen BX. I hardly knew it was there, with only the dull red glow from a failing wheel bearing to remind me of its' presence. It was MoTd and taxed so I drove it locally for a few months and then filed it in the "pending" garage until this week when a friend bought one and reminded me of the fun factor to be had in it.

So, into the workshop and off with the rear suspension. I hadn't realised just how agricultural it was. It's a solid enough construction, just lengths of steel bar welded together with mountings for the body, engine and running gear. The first bearing was a bit of a challenge, requiring strategic violence with a copper-faced hammer, lubrication in the form of bad language and ultimately an angle grinder to remove the duff parts. And trust me. they were duff. God knows how a vehicle with fewer than 2500 Km - not miles, mark you - had run a bearing so badly. The second bearing was easier, having learned the tricks involved. The result? A much quieter ride and a fair degree of confidence that the Qpod is now fit for purpose.

Just a few thoughts for anyone contemplating a purchase:

1. Go for as late a vehicle as you can afford. I was advised that anything after 2003 was best for towing behind a motorhome as after that date the rear hubs were fitted with twin bearings which last longer. Mine turned out to be a late vehicle with an early set-up, hence the single bearing each side. Later cars also have tie-bars to keep the suspension in order whilst towing. It is possible to buy an upgrade kit but for the money they're asking I'm happy to replace a wheel bearing every now and then, especially as all my bolts are now coated with copper slip and will come apart easily.

2. Fit a 7-pin socket to the nose of the vehicle and wire the rear lights into this so that you can use the Qpod rear lights. All you need then is a short length of 7-core cable with a plug at each end to connect the Qpod to your motorhome. Don't forget to fit a number plate for the towing vehicle over the Qpod plate!

3. Disconnect the speedo drive cable at the head unit end when towing because any towed miles will be recorded. It's an easy enough job to do by feel - you can't see what you're doing unless you're a contortionist.

4. Buy a pair of ear plugs. The din from that Lombardini 338cc single has to be heard to be believed. Forget conversation with your passenger. Buy them ear plugs, too. They'll thank you for it.

Hope some of this helps.

Regards